Hit a milestone, maintenance question.

[68whiskey]

So yesterday I turned over 275,000 miles. She runs great, I don't have any issues. Its been well cared for. I'm starting to wonder about the head gasket. How long until it blows, or should I not worry about it? Getting it changes wouldn't make any sense, considering I could pick up a JDM motor for what the labor would cost.

With the OME lift about to go on soon plus some plans in the works, I'm starting to consider whether or not I should have the head gasket done before it blows, or if I should keep going and wait for it to go and take care of it then. Any thoughts?

 

[Airmapper]

If it ain't broke.....

On some things preventative maintenance is beneficial, but on a head gasket, I'm thinking if it's doing it's thing, leave it be.

 

[jgue467]

Mine has nearly the same mileage. I don't worry about head gaskets. I worry about keeping the engine/tranny cool.

With that in mind, have you already replaced the radiator and thermostat? Waterpump? :cowboy:

 

[68whiskey]

Mine has nearly the same mileage. I don't worry about head gaskets. I worry about keeping the engine/tranny cool.

With that in mind, have you already replaced the radiator and thermostat? Waterpump? :cowboy:

All the other maintenance (radiator, water pump/thermostat) has been done. I guess its just one of those things. You have to wonder how long it'll last. Especially since I'm about to put a grand worth of suspension on and thats really just the beginning of what I want to do. The frame is spotless, underneath has zero issues. So I plan on running it until I can't anymore. How many miles does your rig have?

 

[sambishop]

I'm starting to consider whether or not I should have the head gasket done before it blows, or if I should keep going and wait for it to go and take care of it then. Any thoughts?

Don't worry about it. Getting them replaced now would be such a head ache. Once you take those heads off, in a perfect world, you should have the heads resurfaced. Now you can get away from doing that if you get a machined straight edge and check the deck for flatness.

Anyway, in the 3.4's I think the more common probably isn't the head gasket, but the actual heads cracking. I have a craigslist motor in my garage and I took apart that had a "head gasket failure" and NOPE. It was the head itself.

 

[jgue467]

...
So I plan on running it until I can't anymore. How many miles does your rig have?

Same plan here, I may drive other vehicles but for hunting and offroading this is it. Whenever the engine starts to go, I plan to replace it and keep on going! It has almost 277k now (had it for 125k with no major issues) and purrs like a kitten (fingers crossed). Luck and enjoy your runner. :cowboy:

 

[JayRolla]

So yesterday I turned over 275,000 miles. She runs great, I don't have any issues. Its been well cared for. I'm starting to wonder about the head gasket. How long until it blows, or should I not worry about it? Getting it changes wouldn't make any sense, considering I could pick up a JDM motor for what the labor would cost.

With the OME lift about to go on soon plus some plans in the works, I'm starting to consider whether or not I should have the head gasket done before it blows, or if I should keep going and wait for it to go and take care of it then. Any thoughts?

I just hit 280k and I'm a little worried also. About to take her on a 1500 miles trip. Hope she holds together.

But I also agree with the if it aint broke dont fix it mentality. If you have not done the timing belt in a bit this would be a good time. Im still on the timing belt I purchased it with over 100k miles ago.

 

[amalik]

Once you mentally convince yourself to think about if the HG is gonna go or not, your brain can easily sway and start wondering if the fuel pump, transmission, etc, are next -- and then you end up worrying about all kinda crap that isn't a real problem for you yet.

 

[Rock_Rat]

How long until it blows, or should I not worry about it? Any thoughts?

If it's gonna go it's gonna go. (368,000 original miles/SC'd - All mine)

If it ain't broke..... leave it be.

Exactly!

I worry about keeping the engine/tranny cool.

Number one priority on my list! Toyota red with distilled, Mobil 1 synthetic EVERY 5K, CLEAN AIR FILTER. And of course mechanical stuff.

Don't worry about it. Getting them replaced now would be such a head ache.

No pun intended of course!

I just hit 280k and I'm a little worried also. About to take her on a 1500 miles trip. Hope she holds together.

But I also agree with the if it aint broke dont fix it mentality.

I know the feeling about being concerned. felt the same way with mine when I took it out to the Overland Expo and Moab etc... this past May. Serious mileage away from home. Every time I crank it up I have concerns. Nothing you can do but hope all goes well and have a plan just in case...

 

[JayRolla]

I know the feeling about being concerned. felt the same way with mine when I took it out to the Overland Expo and Moab etc... this past May. Serious mileage away from home. Every time I crank it up I have concerns. Nothing you can do but hope all goes well and have a plan just in case...

This was my first vehicle I didnt have that afraid feeling. Last year took a trip to Grand Canyon. Last day, wake up and go out from hotel. Truck wont start. Ohh shit. Smack the tank and get her started. Look at wife and say we gots to go.

Pump made it half through new mexico and then it started failing. Middle of night, raining I had to hit that tank every few miles when it started to fail just to get her home. It would do abotu 30mph before it would start cutting out. Probably ran her a bit lean a few times.

Now I have that afraid feeling all the time.

 

[Rock_Rat]

Once you mentally convince yourself to think about if the HG is gonna go or not, your brain can easily sway and start wondering if the fuel pump, transmission, etc, are next -- and then you end up worrying about all kinda crap that isn't a real problem for you yet.

You are so right on this. I'm always wondering when the AC compressor, fuel pump, diffs etc...are gonna go on me. It's all a matter of time but there's absolutely NOTHING I can do to prevent it except park it. Every time I read a new thread about a problem I know it could be me but no use worrying about it.

 

[flipty]

I'm right around there too, 271k.

I monitor my coolant temp with OBD reader, even on hot days in stop and go traffic with the AC on blast I never get above 205... I assume that means everything's doing its job admirably.

I second, third, and fourth: If it ain't broke, don't break it.

 

[sanderson5]

Literally have been having these exact same questions. Just hit 285 and haven't done any major maintenance since I did the tundra conversion at 150...

So from what I'm reading.
Thermostat, waterpump, and radiator should all be on my list.

This thing runs like a dream.

 

[Rock_Rat]

I'm right around there too, 271k.

I monitor my coolant temp with OBD reader, even on hot days in stop and go traffic with the AC on blast I never get above 205... I assume that means everything's doing its job admirably.

I second, third, and fourth: If it ain't broke, don't break it.

Are you monitoring your transmission temps? Very important! I keep my AC off as much as possible. My temps are around 186 for both water temp and tranny temp in the summer months. However, my water temp goes up to 190ish (never over 200) on my way home up hill three miles but my tranny temp is hotter at around 222 once I crest my road. This is with OD off. Never with the AC on up hill.

 

[Rock_Rat]

Literally have been having these exact same questions. Just hit 285 and haven't done any major maintenance since I did the tundra conversion at 150...

So from what I'm reading.
Thermostat, waterpump, and radiator should all be on my list.

This thing runs like a dream.

Radiator should be a high priority for you now on your preventive maintenance list of things to do. (LBJ's mechanically speaking and Radiator with whatever flavor coolant you want to use with DISTILLED water. I choose Toyota brand but that's my preference.)

As for the water pump, that's part of your 100k timing belt change. It comes in a kit. Don't schedule the water pump separately.

 

[StreetCreeper]

You guys are all good for a while yet — closing in on 430k with original engine and tranny. Just finished up a 1400 mile run up the West coast for the fourth of July holiday. Averaged about 20~21 mpg while loaded down with 5 people and gear. No head gasket issues and I check my coolant and oil every other day usually. Truck runs like a champ.

 

[flipty]

Are you monitoring your transmission temps? Very important! I keep my AC off as much as possible. My temps are around 186 for both water temp and tranny temp in the summer months. However, my water temp goes up to 190ish (never over 200) on my way home up hill three miles but my tranny temp is hotter at around 222 once I crest my road. This is with OD off. Never with the AC on up hill.

Mine's a 5 speed, so I sorta assume I don't need to monitor my transmission temp.

 

[68whiskey]

Literally have been having these exact same questions. Just hit 285 and haven't done any major maintenance since I did the tundra conversion at 150...

So from what I'm reading.
Thermostat, waterpump, and radiator should all be on my list.

This thing runs like a dream.

These are my thoughts as well. It runs so well, so part of me says what can I do to keep it that way and the other part says just keep up with the regular maintenance (which I do) and let it be what it'll be.

 

[68whiskey]

You guys are all good for a while yet — closing in on 430k with original engine and tranny. Just finished up a 1400 mile run up the West coast for the fourth of July holiday. Averaged about 20~21 mpg while loaded down with 5 people and gear. No head gasket issues and I check my coolant and oil every other day usually. Truck runs like a champ.

This makes me feel so much better. Thank you, sir. Original engine/tranny in mine as well. It drives and shifts so smooth. The only thing the tranny does is take a bit of time to shift out of second when its really cold, which from what I've read on here is normal.

 

[68whiskey]

I just hit 280k and I'm a little worried also. About to take her on a 1500 miles trip. Hope she holds together.

But I also agree with the if it aint broke dont fix it mentality. If you have not done the timing belt in a bit this would be a good time. Im still on the timing belt I purchased it with over 100k miles ago.

I hear you. I wouldn't even say I'm worried about it. Its just one of those things. I keep up with everything else there is to keep up on. By the time I got it, this thing has had three timing belt services. The maintenance that has been done on it since birth is phenomenal. Theres just that thing in the back of my mind that wonders if/when it'll happen.