Crap! Head Gasket Giving Up the Ghost... - Page 2

thook · 02-25-2007, 12:36 PM

Oh man, don't you hate it when we make more work for ourselves? Humans like to push the limits, don't we?
I will qualify that statement.....
A few weeks ago I was pulling a trailer with my '86....something I do ALL the time. Except!!this time I had bolted the ball hitch on the receiver upside down from the usual so that when I was pulling the trailer with the '92 the trailer would sit and ride more level. Well, the '86 bumper sits several inches higher (it's a custom jobber) so that in this instance the trailer tongue was now riding elevated. I thought to myself before I left the house,"I should fix that.". And being in a hurry, I blew it off. (Bad, bad, bad choice!!! I knew better!) Hours later, I was loaded and headed for the next destination when....guess what happened? The trailer popped off the hitch smashing right into the tailgate! I had about 900lbs of cargo and it slid towards the back of the trailer when I hit just the right bump in the road. It didn't break the glass, but I had to dismantle the whole tailgate to pop the dents out so the glass and regulator would work again. Plus, my little, plastic Toyota insignia got smashed.....

Anyway, I've stopped blowin' off little things like that. I'm also getting a better hitch on the trailer, damn it! That was the second time my tailgate got smashed by a renegade trailer. And it ain't easy getting the regulator out when the window is all the way up.

Just out curiousity, do you think a new thermo would have made a difference?

This ad is not displayed to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Yotatech!

TNRabbit · 02-25-2007, 12:48 PM

I recently installed a frame hitch from eTrailer.com (great site, terrific customer service) made by DrawTite. It's very heavy duty and required removing the bumper for installation but it's great. I highly recommend both the site & the hitch. Hitch is good for 5500 lbs so the truck will break before the hitch does!

thook · 02-25-2007, 01:06 PM

lol...Thanks TN, but I think we're talking about different things here. I need to replace the part on the trailer tongue that clamps on to the ball. Right...it's called the coupler.This is what I've been looking at....
http://store.towshop.com/store/more_...Category_ID=91
There are better prices than this, though. My friend told me about this...it DOES NOT come off!

TNRabbit · 02-25-2007, 02:26 PM

Ar you sure you don't have a 2 5/16 coupler with a 2" ball? That's what it sounds like, that or your lockdown is missing the retainer pin....? It should NOT come off...

thook · 02-25-2007, 02:49 PM

Yeah, I'm real sure. I've got a new retainer pin, safety chains, etc. The reason it's coming off is because the little mechanism piece that actually clamps on the ball (underneath) is too worn, so I have to keep tightening the thing up. I know it shouldn't be coming off, but then my coupler is not optimal, either. It stays on even in this condition if the trailer sits level and the load sits towards the front. But.....

TNRabbit · 02-25-2007, 03:11 PM

Dude! and I thought I was bad driving 100k miles with holes in the radiator...

thook · 02-25-2007, 03:38 PM

That's why I thought I'd share that bit of story with you....

TNRabbit · 02-27-2007, 07:55 PM

Worst fears are confirmed: #2 cylinder HG is gone. The weird thing is, it was running great!

SO...I started it my truck today to warm her up for the compression test---GOBS of white steamy exhaust that completely filled the garage so bad I couldn't even SEE. Indicator # 1.

I did compression test next and here were the results:

What the h@!! is this?!?? No WONDER I was having to use 93 octane gas to keep it from pinging! DANG!

Anyways, that didn't tell me anything about a bad cylinder, so I did a cooling system pressure/leakdown test, then was going to start the motor & see if I blew coolant out one cylinder. Well, before I did that I told myself I'd at least look in each spark plug hole and see what I could see....#2 cylinder was COMPLETELY FULL of coolant. Confirmation Indicator #2.

At that point, I started draining the radiator & taking the top end off. I made it down to the fuel rails before I quit this evening. engnbldr, here I come!

thook · 02-27-2007, 08:07 PM

I'm gonna follow this one....to be here if you need any support! Good luck!

TNRabbit · 02-28-2007, 12:07 AM

I've already ordered two brake calipers (old ones sticking), & at this point, with the compression as it is, I'm only going to replace both HGs, timing belt, & oil pump. I figure the OVER compression is from carbon buildup, so both heads are coming off. It's running good otherwise & I don't think a complete rebuild at this point would be worth the effort/expense. I'll have the heads checked for warpage, but unless I find more when I go in, I'm limiting it to that.

However, for an additional $120 I can get the entire Master Engine Rebuild Kit...and a LOT more labor to do....

Heck, she needs an exhaust, too....BADLY.

thook · 02-28-2007, 10:53 PM

Can o' worms! Vehicles...who needs 'em?! Oh wait! We do...pfft!

TNRabbit · 03-01-2007, 01:06 AM

Here's the carnage (pics) so far:

Incidentally, I didn't have the issues loosening the cam sprockets & main shaft bolts that most have; I just cranked up the pressure on my compressor & knocked all three out with an impact wrench while everything was still together (Timing belt, etc.) and they busted right loose.

I found my top center idler pulley bearing is shot (wasn't making any noise, though...?) and I'll have to replace a few heater hoses due to deterioration. You never go into one of these projects & only do what you started out to do!

Also, I HIGHLY recommend taking the hood off any time you conduct major surgery on your engine; makes things a lot BRIGHTER and easier to get to!

TNRabbit · 03-01-2007, 12:04 PM

..Make that TWO (both) idler pulleys...also, does this belt look like it has 62,000 miles on it?!?

TNRabbit · 03-01-2007, 12:07 PM

asdfasdf

thook · 03-01-2007, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TNRabbit

..Make that TWO (both) idler pulleys...also, does this belt look like it has 62,000 miles on it?!?

Well, mine had only 21k miles and it still looked practically new when I did my rebuild. Why do you ask? Are you considering reusing it?

And what is asdfasdf?

TNRabbit · 03-01-2007, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thook

Well, mine had only 21k miles and it still looked practically new when I did my rebuild. Why do you ask? Are you considering reusing it?

And what is asdfasdf?

asdfasdf is lower case ASDFASDF...

I was screwing around and accidentally posted it...

I was considering re-using it but of course I won't. I just hate to throw away something that isn't worn out...you should see my SHED!

thook · 03-01-2007, 12:25 PM

Okay, so I'm not just confused....it actually meant nothing..lol.

Yeah, if it had fewer miles...much fewer...I'd reuse it, but that's me. I'm reluctant to throw away things like that, too. You should see my whole property!!! (Spring cleaning is coming, though)

Run into any problems, yet? Not like I'm hoping you have or will, mind you.

TNRabbit · 03-01-2007, 12:33 PM

Nope, just taking a while to pull all the $h!t off from around the parts I need to get to! I don't usually have much daylight, so end up doing this at night with only a flashlight (it's a long story) which sux @$$...

TNRabbit · 03-01-2007, 09:22 PM

More pics from tonight; got the intake & valve covers off, alternator, upper idler pulley, cam sprockets, & first main shaft pulley:

TNRabbit · 03-03-2007, 07:11 AM

Question: Where can I get sockets for the 6 & 12 sided head bolts?

thook · 03-03-2007, 11:15 PM

Well, I went to Sears and got some Craftsman sockets. The torx/star head..right? I broke an extension and sheared one socket (Taiwan/China quality) trying to get my old headbolts out. Which meant I also sheared the one headbolt that decided to end any progress for that particular evening...until I got the new socket. I also had to get a set of Irwin Bolt Grips to get the buggered headbolt. So, save yourself a step....get GOOD sockets and extension.(If you hadn't thought of that already, of course).

On second thought, go ahead and get a set of Craftsman or Irwin bolt offs/grips ahead of time. Then, take it back if you don't need it. I don't know, maybe I'm just paranoid and I'm the only one who hates getting stuck in the middle of a project.

TNRabbit · 03-04-2007, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thook

Well, I went to Sears and got some Craftsman sockets. The torx/star head..right? I broke an extension and sheared one socket (Taiwan/China quality) trying to get my old headbolts out. Which meant I also sheared the one headbolt that decided to end any progress for that particular evening...until I got the new socket. I also had to get a set of Irwin Bolt Grips to get the buggered headbolt. So, save yourself a step....get GOOD sockets and extension.(If you hadn't thought of that already, of course).

On second thought, go ahead and get a set of Craftsman or Irwin bolt offs/grips ahead of time. Then, take it back if you don't need it. I don't know, maybe I'm just paranoid and I'm the only one who hates getting stuck in the middle of a project.

That's exactly what I did last night, went to Sears. Only I forgot to get a damn puller & have to drive 25 miles again back up there today...GRRRR!

TNRabbit · 03-05-2007, 04:12 PM

OK, had some tool delays and a very LARGE delay caused by my soon-to-be exwife who totaled the 2004 Ford Expedition that was STILL IN MY NAME!! Her boyfriend, who is a COP, was farting around and passed her at midnight on a curve/double yellow and clipped her when he pulled back in, sending the Expedition into a 5-time rollover. I wish he'd just *EDITED* GGGRRRRR!

SO, I almost got the left head pulled off today, but the !*&^#%#$!^%#*^&%#*&^% exhaust manifold is a @#(*&)(*&%$ pain in my (*&#(*&#$ @$$~!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(thanks for letting me vent.....)

TNRabbit · 03-05-2007, 04:14 PM

...OH, the best part; the effing cop didn't even get a d@mn ticket!

shoes138 · 03-05-2007, 08:32 PM

That suxs man!why dont you pull off both heads at the same time with the crossover and mainfold still connected?

03-05-2007, 08:32 PM	#50 (permalink)
shoes138 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Folsom, Ca(near Sac) Posts: 456	That suxs man!why dont you pull off both heads at the same time with the crossover and mainfold still connected? __________________ 89' 2wd Toyota Pickup - 3vz-e, Custom Cold Air Intake, Flowmaster Exhaust, Lowered Suspension, Custom Rims, Black Paint Job, Extensive Sound System to find out more Click here....http://www.cardomain.com/ride/437849/6

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Head Gasket	corvettelvr73	86-95 Trucks & 4Runners	13	03-28-2007 02:18 PM
Cracked Head or Blown Head Gasket?	StevenR	Maintenance & Repair Archives	5	06-14-2005 10:49 AM
Replaced Head Gasket, but not Head Bolts -- How bad is this?	The Rusty Gear	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	14	09-13-2004 08:03 AM
Head Gasket ?	Doc279	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	4	07-17-2004 11:44 AM
giving head...	94 First Responder	86-95 Trucks & 4Runners	7	05-31-2002 01:22 PM