YotaPower

Anyone:

I just went outside to startup my truck and I noticed a very odd chemical,disgusting smell. I proceded to start my truck and it took a few seconds to turn over and then it finally began to idle but at very low rpm. I then started to backup and noticed the smell again and when I looked over my shoulder, a huge cloud of white exhuast. Seems like something is burning, but doesn't smell like oil. A slight amount of liquid was dripping out to. Not less than an hour ago I drove it down my hill and back, about 1/2 mile, and it was fine. Anyone had this problem before???

I'm going to start it again and open the hood, maybe I'll have more info ina while . . .

TNRabbit

You have a blown head gasket. I wouldn't drive it until it's fixed, as you are introducing coolant into the oil and it will eventually start wearing out things, probably starting with your main crank bearings. Believe me, it's only going to get worse.

Elton

sounds like the 3.0L had a headgasket or 2 for lunch

Jay351

yep, as much as you don't want to hear it, its probibly a headgasket.

Chief_Yota

dude i got the same problem ,its time for you to do a top end rebuild,check out my thread:


https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...hlight=top+end

YotaPower

headgasket?! darn! I was sure that this truck had the original replaced well before I bought it. (bought with 203,000 mi, it now has 226,000). I just started it again, same thing. Must be the gasket because nothing else seems to be wrong.

When I find a place to fix it, can I drive it there, or do I have to trailer it?

Elton

time for a 3.4L swap atleast you wont have to worry about it blowing headgaskets all the time

YotaPower

Cheif_yota: Nice rebuild thread, good pics. However I don't think I'm technically savvy enough to do that (nor would my parents like a dismantled vehicle in our small garage)

Elton: I really wish I had the money and space to do a 3.4 swap, but I'm headed for college in August and wasn't planning on taking this truck with me (sad, I know).

Pest

I wouldn't want to drive it more than a mile or two to some place. It is a very serious problem. Oil + Coolant = Sandpaper to your bearings. It's drivable, but the more it moves, the more damage is done to the bearings.

Jay351

yeah, I would get it towed to the shop. No point driving it. Every second it runs its just more damage.

killa66cam

What if this problem is on the 22-RE? Same problem?

TNRabbit

Same.

yotasavg

can toyota tell you if a head gasket has been replaced based on your vin?

keithguts

Yes they can tell you................

YotaPower

So I've looked at my engine a little more, seems the oil is fine (not white or foamy=no coolant or water in it), but white exhuast still apparent. I've heard about some HG stuff that you can flush your coolant system with and it's supposed to seal the HG leak. I've never heard of it before though, has anyone else repaired an HG leak without removing the topend?

mikewic

now you got a tamali steamer on wheels! :p

rdlsz24

Those magic potions aren't a permanent fix and usually end up doing more bad than good. To fix it right the heads need to be pulled and the headgaskets replaced.

Rob

TNRabbit

Make sure they check the heads & block for warpage, also. Order the HG from Ted at www.engnbldr.com for a quality product. You can get the entire gasket set for pretty cheap.

YotaPower

TNRabbit - Thanks for the link, but . . .

My dad and I talked it over, and a good service/cheap price shop we know wants $1500 to do the replacement. Now this includes removing and machining the heads. (Is this necessary?) the shop said that they wouldn't recommend that because then the compression goes slightly up, and on a high mileage engine (227,000) this leads to problems witht he lower end of the engine.

So basically it's come to this:
I'm going to college in four months and wasn't planning on taking a vehicle with me. My dad wants to have at least 1 4x4 in the driveway, but a slightly newer one, probably a 96-00 tacoma 2.7L 5sp. So we've decided to sell my
'93 truck. So is something like this worth it? http://www.steelseal.com/eng/howitworks.html
Or not worth the risk that it may fail later? Anyone tried it? RDlsz24, do you have personal experience with a similar product?

YotaPower

I was also going to check the head bolts (maybe they got loose over al those years?). I don't know which ones they exactly are though. Are they hard to get to, or are they exposed?