So a few months ago I posted a message about a sweet burning smell coming from the engine compartment of my '93 3VZE pickup. It seemed that a tiny bit of coolant was leaking onto the exhaust somewhere and was getting cooked. The problem has come and gone, but last night it got really strong and a small bit of "steam" started coming out from the hood.

It was obviously coolant being cooked on an exhaust piece somewhere. It appeared to be coming out behind the engine on the passenger side. It wasn't a lot. After I stopped and opened the hood it mostly went away, although I could still smell it.

I checked the oil: looks totally normal.
I checked the coolant: it's definitely down a little bit in the overflow.
Engine has NEVER overheated, or run rough in anyway.
I've inspected the engine compartment as much as I can but can't seem to see any obvious leaks from any hoses, including the heater.

Is this likely the head gasket leaking coolant on the exhaust manifold?

 

It's hard to say. A blown HG is very possible. Another possibility that comes to mind:

Your coolant by-pass outlet attaches to the very rear of the intake manifold (beneath the plenum). It may have blown it's seal and could be leaking down on to the cross-over, giving you the burnt coolant smell.

You are going to have to get back there somehow and get a better look at things.

 

Yeah, it's pretty tough to see down there. At this point I'm assuming the worst. From what I've read on this forum a head gasket seems like a given once you pass 100k with these engines.

Has anyone here NOT done an HG themselves? What's the cost?

 

Has the HG recall been done?

 

I had one to blow the welch (freeze)plugs under the intake ,and did the same thing.I also had one blow a head gasket and did that.

 

I emailed Toyota to get a status on the recall. Either it's already been done or my engine wasn't included. The only recall notice they had listed for my truck is the steering rod deal.

 

Ok, so I finally got some daylight and an opportunity to have a look at this closely. I've confirmed that the smoke is definitely coolant getting cooked on the exhaust crossover behind the #5 cylinder. I also crawled underneath to inspect. From underneath I can see the head gasket and I'm sure that it's not leaking.

So I'm guess it might be one of these other accessory hoses that carries coolant, or possibly a freeze plug?

I'm glad I looked, because it appears there's also another pin-sized hole on the top of the radiator itself. It might be time to replace it anyway.