Update to my post. My HG is now starting to leak. Coolant temps going up and down and radiator is bubbling from the cap. Leak tester shows same green color indicating slow leak.
*** V6 Head Gasket Action Request ***
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- Start date
Update to my post. My HG is now starting to leak. Coolant temps going up and down and radiator is bubbling from the cap. Leak tester shows same green color indicating slow leak.
djambazoff
New member
Hey Jake, I'm having the same 2004/Limited/V6/4wd and having the same cold start symptoms with a very bit of coolant being lost. I wonder whether the head gasket replacement fixed your problem and whether I should go for a HG replacement or just leave it as a second car.
Much appreciated!
I’m on my third year after the HG job. It was costly, but I’ve had this truck since it had about 35K miles on, so I knew I its past and for me it was worth it.
Had I gotten it at 150K, I might’ve opted otherwise.
I'm in the middle of removing parts to replace the head gasket.
2005 v6 4.0L 4wd
205k, I've been driving for 20k miles
I heard the waterfall noise at startup, then came the engine rumble/vibration at startup.
After a couple starts CEL appeared, code read P0304 cylinder 4 misfire, then to the dealer for diagnostics that showed a leak in cylinder 4 via a borescope.
2005 v6 4.0L 4wd
205k, I've been driving for 20k miles
I heard the waterfall noise at startup, then came the engine rumble/vibration at startup.
After a couple starts CEL appeared, code read P0304 cylinder 4 misfire, then to the dealer for diagnostics that showed a leak in cylinder 4 via a borescope.
cpayne5
New member
You should be good after the fix. Did mine almost 10 years ago and no issues since. Only put about 60k on it, though.
Last edited:
BackOff
New member
Update...
Full info.
Suspected HG leak after 1/28/2015, 63855k miles...first water pump.
...lost coolant.
Did 2 bottles of the SteelSeal 11/19/2019, 83,650k.
With water no antifreeze, as per directions.
Drove 12 miles to warm the motor...no thermostat...got to 135*.
Drained and flush and fill with the Zerex antifreeze.
Started to smell antifreeze after a warm motor and a stop.
Was still loosing antifreeze...at an increased rate.
Drumped in the third bottle of SteelSeal, sent as their insurance policy.
No real instructions after the 3rd bottle.
Pour in and good to go.
...that was a mistake.
The SteelSeal killed off the aftermarket waterpump causing more leakage.
...then the radiator.
I should have noticed the waterpump leak and not done the 3rd bottle of SteelSeal...and/or flushed the 3rd bottle, as per the initial directions...heat cycle and flush.
Now after replacing the 2nd waterpump, a radiator, 2nd thermostat.
No more lost coolant! 5/7/2021
...thinking the SteelSeal worked after i said it was BAD.
/eatscrow
Full info.
Suspected HG leak after 1/28/2015, 63855k miles...first water pump.
...lost coolant.
Did 2 bottles of the SteelSeal 11/19/2019, 83,650k.
With water no antifreeze, as per directions.
Drove 12 miles to warm the motor...no thermostat...got to 135*.
Drained and flush and fill with the Zerex antifreeze.
Started to smell antifreeze after a warm motor and a stop.
Was still loosing antifreeze...at an increased rate.
Drumped in the third bottle of SteelSeal, sent as their insurance policy.
No real instructions after the 3rd bottle.
Pour in and good to go.
...that was a mistake.
The SteelSeal killed off the aftermarket waterpump causing more leakage.
...then the radiator.
I should have noticed the waterpump leak and not done the 3rd bottle of SteelSeal...and/or flushed the 3rd bottle, as per the initial directions...heat cycle and flush.
Now after replacing the 2nd waterpump, a radiator, 2nd thermostat.
No more lost coolant! 5/7/2021
...thinking the SteelSeal worked after i said it was BAD.
/eatscrow
The Simple Engnr
New member
Not sure if this thread is frequented much anymore, but I figured contributing with my experience may help someone out there. I just replaced both of my head gaskets over the last two weeks and it's fresh on my mind. I'm no expert, but I would be more than happy to answer any questions anyone may have.
2003 Limited 4X2
Blew at 263k miles
Cylinder 6
(Also leaking oil at cylinder 1 that I didn't know about until I opened 'er up)
Long story short, if you have basic mechanical aptitude, a decent collection of tools or friends tools, and a place to do the work, I would encourage you to tackle this job yourself. Yes it seems daunting, but there is plenty of information out there to get this job done well and save yourself $2-$3k+. I was hesitant myself until I found a step-by-step video on performing the whole job on the exact same engine. Combine that with a Toyota service manual and performing your due diligence to prepare for the job, and it's really not too bad - just time consuming. Nothing wrong with taking your time, you don't want to open up the engine more than once.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIbeoMpGxEc
Money is tight right now for my wife and I, so it was definitely worth it for us, but paying for the fix may be best for others. It can be done for ~$500 for parts and supplies needed.
I'm optimistic that there are many more years of life left in her.
2003 Limited 4X2
Blew at 263k miles
Cylinder 6
(Also leaking oil at cylinder 1 that I didn't know about until I opened 'er up)
Long story short, if you have basic mechanical aptitude, a decent collection of tools or friends tools, and a place to do the work, I would encourage you to tackle this job yourself. Yes it seems daunting, but there is plenty of information out there to get this job done well and save yourself $2-$3k+. I was hesitant myself until I found a step-by-step video on performing the whole job on the exact same engine. Combine that with a Toyota service manual and performing your due diligence to prepare for the job, and it's really not too bad - just time consuming. Nothing wrong with taking your time, you don't want to open up the engine more than once.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIbeoMpGxEc
Money is tight right now for my wife and I, so it was definitely worth it for us, but paying for the fix may be best for others. It can be done for ~$500 for parts and supplies needed.
I'm optimistic that there are many more years of life left in her.
Yeah i also accomplished this in my garage this weekend. My buddy and I did the whole thing in about 13 hrs with a lunch in the middle.
It helps that the engine never overheated.
Only specialty tools really are a good torque wrench, best if you have a 3/8 for the cam bolts and a 1/2 for the head bolts. A good impact gun will help a lot too.
I also went ahead and replaced the timing chain since the motor had over 200k, but honestly my engine looked really good overall for a 230k 16 year old engine.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It helps that the engine never overheated.
Only specialty tools really are a good torque wrench, best if you have a 3/8 for the cam bolts and a 1/2 for the head bolts. A good impact gun will help a lot too.
I also went ahead and replaced the timing chain since the motor had over 200k, but honestly my engine looked really good overall for a 230k 16 year old engine.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
chickenman9102
New member
I just purchased a 2004 4x4 SR5 with 202,000 miles on it. The previous owner had the head gasket done at the dealership @ 197,000.
Hoping this ends up being an okay purchase! I actually felt better because I know it's already been addressed.
Am I crazy for thinking so?
Hoping this ends up being an okay purchase! I actually felt better because I know it's already been addressed.
Am I crazy for thinking so?
phatcheeks
New member
Take care if it and the engine should last double that mileage. I have an 04 V6 and dreading the day the headgasket goes. Im at 140k and so far so good.
chickenman9102
New member
Praying for you, my friend! Hopefully, we're talking about how many more trouble-free adventures we've had in 5 years.
phatcheeks
New member
I think my head gasket may be going as well. I get the water gushing sound sometimes on startup from behind drivers dash. Also today I noticed I was low on coolant. No other symptoms though.
Ive tried burping few times already but no luck. Wondering if it could be something else. Ive replaced the Rad/cap, water pump and thermostat.
Im only at 140k miles so it seems kind of early compared to most others. That's why I am hoping it is something else, otherwise I will definitely fix it and get another easy 100k out of it.
Ive tried burping few times already but no luck. Wondering if it could be something else. Ive replaced the Rad/cap, water pump and thermostat.
Im only at 140k miles so it seems kind of early compared to most others. That's why I am hoping it is something else, otherwise I will definitely fix it and get another easy 100k out of it.
caeavesrsx-s
Junior Member
The Simple Engnr
New member
Replacing the left bank HG, so technically both gaskets were blown.
I was aware there was a slow oil leak coming from that side of the engine for a while. It was slow enough I never really took the time to diagnose it. I was surprised when I took the left head off to find the oil leaking from the outside of cylinder one. Inspection of the heads determined the flatness was in spec so after cleaning up all the sealing surfaces really good I buttoned everything back up with all new gaskets from an engine gasket kit. She's been running great since.
Killed two birds with one stone with the fix. I'm around 2k miles with the new HG and no leaks so far
ray:
phatcheeks
New member
So I burped my system for 1 hour the other day. Now I get the sound intermittently. And its not only when cold. Today I checked my coolant after more that 24 hours of sitting and it was perfect. Rad was full to the brim and expansion tank was fine as well. I got a slight water sound from the dash when I started it. Im not sure what is causing this. I do see little black specs in my coolant though. Could that be headgasket material?
I am planning on using some Blue Devil if I can confirm its the head gasket. (lots of good experiences on this forum) but I rarely have any symptoms other than the water sound behind dash.
Anyone know what it could be?
kcdehart
New member
After 40k miles of thinking it was one thing or another, my symptoms got worse (misfire startups again, horrible fuel economy/reduced power, waterfall noise, coolant being pushed out of the reservoir). I finally took it in to a shop and had the headgasket replaced. They confirmed that it was leaking combustion out and coolant in on cylinders 4 and 6.
'04 V6 - 201k miles (likely been an issue since 159k miles when I bought it)
They also replaced timing components and a quite worn oil pump while they were in there. I updated the headgasket to the '05+ version to hopefully avoid future issues.
'04 V6 - 201k miles (likely been an issue since 159k miles when I bought it)
They also replaced timing components and a quite worn oil pump while they were in there. I updated the headgasket to the '05+ version to hopefully avoid future issues.
NateDawg1123
Junior Member
2005
4x4
135,000
#4, 6 and now 2
Has anyone yet done a write up of doing the head gasket replacement job, with pictures and part numbers?
The FSM is always helpful but I've had greater success with some sort of guide with pics that cover things not laid out clearly in the FSM.
4x4
135,000
#4, 6 and now 2
Has anyone yet done a write up of doing the head gasket replacement job, with pictures and part numbers?
The FSM is always helpful but I've had greater success with some sort of guide with pics that cover things not laid out clearly in the FSM.
phatcheeks
New member
There's a video YouTube that's literally a step by step on how to do it. But you will still need the FSM something for torque specs or anything else the might of skipped over in the video.
2006 Toyota Tundra 1GR-FE 4.0 COMPLETE HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT STEP BY STEP 209-305-1672 - YouTube
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