Hello, I recently bought a 95 toyota pickup with the 2.4 4 cylinder and am having trouble getting it to start. When i bought it i was told that it just needed a head gasket. While i dont know too much on what i am doing i already got a head gasket but have not tore into it yet. I am wondering if there are other things i should check before getting into it. I have hooked it to a battery and tried jump starting and only got it to turn over. While i know that there are a million things to check i am wondering what might be the obvious choice first. Is there a way i can tell if it needs the head gasket before removing everything? Is there some time of detailed intructions that tell you how to remove the head? This truck is only going to be used offroad and i am just looking to get it running as of right now, dont really care how it runs just need it to move around (will replace the motor in the future).

Thank You

 

Well, if it does need a headgasket it would mean that the present has blown. Which would also make it difficult to start and/or run. But, why did the person tell you this? You can have the radiator tested at a mechanics for not much, but the most obvious signs would be oil in the coolant and/or vice versa. So, look for that. Drain a little oil, check the dipstick, and look in the radiator. There are detailed instructions posted on this forum mainpage (links to FSM), but first determine if you actually need to do that. If not, then there are plenty of other things to look at, of course.

 

Here's a thread going right now about a blown headgasket.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...gasket-123961/

Oh, and if/when it did run there would also be white, coolant smelling exhaust.

 

good thread: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...nt-pics-88722/
factory service manual helps, some get by with haynes.
check for gas, check for spark. if hg is shot, look for signs of anti-freeze in the oil.
is your check engine light flashing during turnover?
do a search, there's a thread here somewhere with your problem. i'll let you know if i find it.

 

There is a bolt under the cam gear, that will be covered in a pool of oil. Don't forget that one.

 

Thanks for the help guys, Was looking at it more and found it was getting no gas. Dont know how much was in the tank in the first place but i put about 3-4 gallons in and nothing, is that not enough to get through the system? Still need to check for coolant in oil. Thank you for the help.

 

3-4 gallons should be plenty. I've had my tank that low before. The fuel light would come on were it too low, anyway. That's if the light is working, I suppose.

When's the last time the fuel filter was replaced? Are you sure the fuel pump is operating?

 

ok heres all i can think of, and what caused my truck to stop running. you know that black canister on the passenger side of the engine compartment? thats your charcoal canister. it might be clogged. it stopped mine, so it might be stopping yours. find one at a junkyard(i paid 6 bucks for mine at Nevada Auto Recycling i think that was the name) and install it. or maybe your lines are crossed into the canister... is it leaking gas? if not the lines r str8. maybe like everyone here is saying, your fuel filter, both the one at the gas tank and behind the starter (weird place for it huh?). if anything spray some ether into the fuel injection manifold. i havent used it personally but i have friends who swear by it. if you can get it started, just keep it at like 3500 rpm for maybe a minute, then take it out onto the road or w/e and just punch it. blow out the 'cobwebs' in the engine. you know?