This is a bad headgasket right?

[CoCoCo4Runner]

I did get this for fairly cheap as the PO disclosed there was likely a problem with the headgasket, here are some symptoms and a video that makes it clear.

-Consumes coolant
-Puffs of white smoke on overnight start (see video)
-smoke smells sweetish

Before I start researching parts, is there ANYTHING else that could be causing this?

Here’s a video showing a cold start

4runner cold start - YouTube

 

[FD7683]

Sounds and looks like it but I could be wrong as I have never dealt with a bad head gasket. Before you buy or do anything first I would run a compression test on all cylinders to see if theres a leak.

 

[Devbot]

As far as I know, the only operator error that could possibly contribute to this is if they swapped around the TB/IAC hoses, but I don't think the car would start in that case. Still, some food for thought I guess.
Something else that happens with age - the intake manifold gasket starts to break down heavily with age right around the coolant ports, which are pretty close to the adjacent intake ports. If your oil is still good this could possibly be why. It might be worth pop out the spark plugs and take a borescope inside to see where the coolant is going. Look for a noticeably clean chamber (the coolant turns into steam and removes all the carbon)

 

[RotaryDreamz]

Usually on cold startup I see alot of smoke, but its all condensation, which is normal. But if you're losing coolant and has that distinct sweet coolant smell, it has to be your head gasket. You can do a compression check and leak down test afterwards if you have a failed numbers to be certain.

 

[CoCoCo4Runner]

As far as I know, the only operator error that could possibly contribute to this is if they swapped around the TB/IAC hoses, but I don't think the car would start in that case. Still, some food for thought I guess.
Something else that happens with age - the intake manifold gasket starts to break down heavily with age right around the coolant ports, which are pretty close to the adjacent intake ports. If your oil is still good this could possibly be why. It might be worth pop out the spark plugs and take a borescope inside to see where the coolant is going. Look for a noticeably clean chamber (the coolant turns into steam and removes all the carbon)

Interesting so if a compression test is good, it could just be an intake manifold gasket?


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[Outrider]

I suggest also getting an exhaust gas in coolant detection kit (the correct name eludes me). In addition to the above suggestions.

That is what saved me from pissing away $1,500-$2,500 on a head gasket replacement on mine, when mine had not failed, despite many other symptoms making it look like it had.

Things are very often not what they seem.

 

[Bad Luck]

I suggest also getting an exhaust gas in coolant detection kit (the correct name eludes me). In addition to the above suggestions.

That is what saved me from pissing away $1,500-$2,500 on a head gasket replacement on mine, when mine had not failed, despite many other symptoms making it look like it had.

Things are very often not what they seem.

I believe you're referring to a block tester: Amazon.com: Block Tester BT-500 Combustion Leak Test Kit - Made in USA: Automotive

 

[NC-Limited]

I thought a head gasket had blue smoke


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[Bry n]

it's thanks to all the Scotty Kilmer videos i watch while on the toilet that i actually know what this thread is talking about. :dance:

 

[diverscale]

No way to know on the video. Was it warm or cold outside when you started it ?


Anyway, you consume coolant on a good rate and see no leak on the ground, and it smells sweet, PLUS the other owner stating so, this is a strong probability something's up with the head.

No way to know if it's a head gasket or cracked head. Could be one, the other or both.

Could open up the radiator cap when cold, then start the truck, if you are lucky, you'll throw enough exhaust in the coolant and see bubbles.

 

[Devbot]

Interesting so if a compression test is good, it could just be an intake manifold gasket?


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Well not necessarily but it would be a good sign. I'm just trying to be optimistic here. As said you should get one of those kits to test for any exhaust in the coolant, they're cheap and can save you a bunch of trouble shooting

it's thanks to all the Scotty Kilmer videos i watch while on the toilet that i actually know what this thread is talking about. :dance:

Oh boy. Pic related :lol:

 

[CoCoCo4Runner]

No way to know on the video. Was it warm or cold outside when you started it ?


Anyway, you consume coolant on a good rate and see no leak on the ground, and it smells sweet, PLUS the other owner stating so, this is a strong probability something's up with the head.

No way to know if it's a head gasket or cracked head. Could be one, the other or both.

Could open up the radiator cap when cold, then start the truck, if you are lucky, you'll throw enough exhaust in the coolant and see bubbles.

Dead cold, overnight start. I’m having it towed to a friends shop, where we can do a compression/leak down test. As long as it’s contained to one bank, I can get away with one headgasket right?

 

[diverscale]

Dead cold, overnight start. I’m having it towed to a friends shop, where we can do a compression/leak down test. As long as it’s contained to one bank, I can get away with one headgasket right?

yes, as long as it is the head gasket, not a cracked head, obviously. Since you don't know the history of the vehicle, maybe it was overheated by a coolant leak, for example. But most chances are it's a one head gasket job. Have you looked for bubbles in coolant at cold start?

 

[Bad Luck]

I thought a head gasket had blue smoke


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It can be either but white sweet smelling smoke is a much more common indicator of a blown head gasket burning coolant. Blue smoke is burning oil.

 

[calnhob]

here's a video of mine. 250K now and still going. coolant reservoir does need topping off but never had issues

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S8-zc95k9R0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[CoCoCo4Runner]

here's a video of mine. 250K now and still going. coolant reservoir does need topping off but never had issues

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S8-zc95k9R0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Interesting, that is almost the complete opposite to my issues, the smoke in your case doesn’t appear immediately upon startup and persists for significantly longer than mine…

How cold was the ambient temp? In my video I think it was high 60’s low 70’s.


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[JohnMc]

Dead cold, overnight start. I’m having it towed to a friends shop, where we can do a compression/leak down test. As long as it’s contained to one bank, I can get away with one headgasket right?

Possible, but not a great idea. The way the gaskets fail on these is from slow mechanical friction, as the iron block and aluminum heads warm up they expand at different rates, so each heat cycle gives the HG a little bit of a scrub. And eventually that wears the HG out and it fails. Toyota went through 4(?) different HG styles on them, trying to lengthen this interval, starting with a largely conventional style and ending up with a full MLS (multi layer steel) design by the last few years.

So really, if one side gave out, you're very likely to be close on the other side since it's had the same number of heat cycles. And by the time the engine is far apart enough to get one HG done, you're about 95% of the way to the other HG as well.

When my wife's '96 needed HG's, one side was failed, but the other side had signs of damage on a couple of cylinders where the fire ring had moved a little, but not quite enough to fail yet. It would have gone before long though, if not replaced.

EDIT: Meant to add on - regardless of what various parts sources say - you should replace it with the last version of the HG, the full MLS style. No point in putting one of the earlier style gaskets on, even if they're still being sold. The MLS style gasket will last longest in that situation, pinched between an iron block and an aluminum head, and getting scrubbed a bit on each heat cycle.

 

[CoCoCo4Runner]

Possible, but not a great idea. The way the gaskets fail on these is from slow mechanical friction, as the iron block and aluminum heads warm up they expand at different rates, so each heat cycle gives the HG a little bit of a scrub. And eventually that wears the HG out and it fails. Toyota went through 4(?) different HG styles on them, trying to lengthen this interval, starting with a largely conventional style and ending up with a full MLS (multi layer steel) design by the last few years.

So really, if one side gave out, you're very likely to be close on the other side since it's had the same number of heat cycles. And by the time the engine is far apart enough to get one HG done, you're about 95% of the way to the other HG as well.

When my wife's '96 needed HG's, one side was failed, but the other side had signs of damage on a couple of cylinders where the fire ring had moved a little, but not quite enough to fail yet. It would have gone before long though, if not replaced.

EDIT: Meant to add on - regardless of what various parts sources say - you should replace it with the last version of the HG, the full MLS style. No point in putting one of the earlier style gaskets on, even if they're still being sold. The MLS style gasket will last longest in that situation, pinched between an iron block and an aluminum head, and getting scrubbed a bit on each heat cycle.

Thanks for the advice! I didn’t realize it was one of those things where replace one might as well replace both. I’m mostly a BMW I6 guy where there’s one headgasket. Anyway I’m absolutely in love with the truck and want to keep it going for another decade at least.


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[brillo_76]

I know my one 4 runner has a bad head gasket. It smokes white smoke that lingers like fog when I fire it up. Its poor engine was really beat and I plan to swap its engine and transmission when I fix it.

The white smoke is like a fog machine on that one. I suspect warped heads on my issue.

On mine that smoke never stops.

So some good test especially a leak down test should help you find the location of the leak.

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[gamefreakgc]

You do have smoke upon startup. It's not a lot, but that initial start in your video does shows some lingering smoke. You most likely have a very small leak that pools up as the engine sits hot overnight. I would start buying the parts now if you intend to keep driving it as that leak will only get larger over time. I do not recommend any sort of head gasket stop leak product as it clogs up the radiator fins as well.