*** V6 Head Gasket Action Request ***
- Thread starter morphious
- Start date
I don't know enough to venture a guess as to what's causing it. If it were me, however, I'd take it back to the shop that did the head gasket job. If it didn't have problems idling before but does after then it should probably be addressed by the people that did the job.
How long has it been since the work was done? If it's only been a few days it could just be the ECU relearning how to run everything. They had the battery unplugged for quite a while when they did the head work.
How long has it been since the work was done? If it's only been a few days it could just be the ECU relearning how to run everything. They had the battery unplugged for quite a while when they did the head work.
This is the one we used as a guide. We checked radiator for exhaust gasses, but the test was negative. An inspection camera revealed water in #6. Here is my thread from when we did mine, but the photos were on an old server, haven't had time to update them.
Download and printout the relevant pages from the FSM.
You need this tool, not optional.
Take pictures and put all parts removed on shelves and in labels baggies where you can.
I ordered the engine overhaul gasket kit which includes heads, front cover front seal, water pump, oil pump, etc, etc. I bought it on ebay from a dealer in Bloomington, IN I think.
I replaced the water pump, best price on rockauto.
I bought felpro head bolts from rockauto a well as thermostat. The last head bolt we tried to put in was slightly bent, sent that one and the old ones back.
You may need/want to replace your pulleys, I replaced the bearings, see here.
You can only buy the exhaust manifold bolts from Toyota, don't bother searching, I looked everywhere. We used some that were close. You may break intake studs, I replaced them with bolts.
We did not remove the oil pan.
Make sure you measure your valve shims BEFORE you take the heads apart. See my thread here.
My son is a mechanic and he did the majority of the work. As he said, it's not hard, but it is a big job, books at like 22 hours. He had a ft lb torque wrench, but I picked up a inch lb one from sears when they were on sale and borrowed a big one from autozone for the crank pulley.
Good luck.
edit: I also took the heads to a high end machine shop where they checked them and milled them back to spec. Machine shop and all parts were a little over $900.
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uh oh
Just bought a 05 sport production 10/04. 4x4 4.0 couple weeks ago with 137k... barely driven it maybe 150 mi since i bought it since i have a 06 tacoma 4.0 for daily driver
Just this morning started it up and heard the "rain" in my dash. Checked coolant and it was barely in the resivor. Filled to full. Dont remember where it was when i bought it. It was pouring down rain and made the buy a little miserable. So didnt really check everything.no drive ability problems and runs smooth.smoother then my tacoma does
Going to have a buddy do a cylinder leak down test and see what happens. Not a fun way to start the adventures i have planned with this vehicle
Just bought a 05 sport production 10/04. 4x4 4.0 couple weeks ago with 137k... barely driven it maybe 150 mi since i bought it since i have a 06 tacoma 4.0 for daily driver
Just this morning started it up and heard the "rain" in my dash. Checked coolant and it was barely in the resivor. Filled to full. Dont remember where it was when i bought it. It was pouring down rain and made the buy a little miserable. So didnt really check everything.no drive ability problems and runs smooth.smoother then my tacoma does
Going to have a buddy do a cylinder leak down test and see what happens. Not a fun way to start the adventures i have planned with this vehicle
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scrapmetal
New member
I'm in the same boat as white4run, heads rebuilt, gaskets replaced. Idles rough no change after it's warm. [MENTION=135213]white4run[/MENTION] if you find a fix please let me know, my mechanic is stumped too.
ry_034Runner
New member
scrapmetal
New member
According to the shop it was done at time of HG R/R. I'm going to do it myself this weekend and will provide update if fixes the issue.
ry_034Runner
New member
Sounds good, mine idled rough and that fixed it right up. Theres a real nice video on youtube that shows how to do it
ry_034Runner
New member
ry_034Runner
New member
Do a cold start up on it and make sure it doesnt run rough. Take it for more than a five minute drive to make sure it doesnt throw a code. Ask about oil changes as well and make sure they were done between 3k and 5k. As far as checking head gasket there isnt that much you can look at without taking stuff apart. Did you want to know what else to look for or just as far as head gaskets go.
jrm
New member
Thanks ry
Im hunting for a 06 or newer T4R and would like to be able to diagnose any vehicle problems at the time i test drive or see it for the first time.
I do own a OBDII reader and plan to have it with me but just to clarify.
Should i use the OBDII reader after the 5 minute test drive?
Also what codes would it throw if it is the HG?
Would the coolant level already be low if there was a HG problem?
Thanks.
John
Im hunting for a 06 or newer T4R and would like to be able to diagnose any vehicle problems at the time i test drive or see it for the first time.
I do own a OBDII reader and plan to have it with me but just to clarify.
Should i use the OBDII reader after the 5 minute test drive?
Also what codes would it throw if it is the HG?
Would the coolant level already be low if there was a HG problem?
Thanks.
John
FYI, a rough start and error codes aren't the only way that a head gasket failure presents itself. When mine failed, I could hear coolant running through the heater core for the first couple of seconds after a cold start. It ended up that my head gasket leak was allowing exhaust gasses to build up in the cooling system. After it sat for a while, the air bubble would work it's way to the heater core creating a void that was quickly filled with coolant when the water pump started circulating coolant on a startup.
When you test drive it, make sure that it's sat for quote a while. Start it and listed for a waterfall type sound behind the dash.
Not all head gasket failures present those symptoms but don't assume that because there are no codes and it doesn't start rough that the head gasket is fine.
When you test drive it, make sure that it's sat for quote a while. Start it and listed for a waterfall type sound behind the dash.
Not all head gasket failures present those symptoms but don't assume that because there are no codes and it doesn't start rough that the head gasket is fine.
ry_034Runner
New member
Most likely it would throw a code for low compression in a certain cylinder. And with the low coolant, that could just depend. It could be a head gasket problem could be a leak. If it starts up smooth, doesnt throw a code, doesnt smoke out of the tailpipe a ton (if youre not in cold weather) than you should be good.
Also check things such as the cv boots to make sure they arnt ripped. If youre in the north check the condition of the frame and the skid plate. Check the seals around the doors and sun roof the make sure they arnt torn or rot. Check 4wd drive high and low on test drive if it has it. Check all gears. And then obviously check the fluids and tires.
ry_034Runner
New member
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