So, I finally got around to installing my new belts on my 88, some of you may have read my post from last week, and Im sure you all know about my head gasket / dealership issues from a couple months back. Well, my truck is using antifreeze, but not steaming and the oil cap is clean. It is also leaking oil, badly enough that Im getting big drops and spots on my garage floor, and it NEVER leaked before. So I got up under it with the skid plate off and it looks like the oil is leaking out of, you guessed it the driver side head gasket!! The block is totally soaked and nasty. The gasket also looks like it is NOT a Toyota gasket, Im basing that on how it is over hanging the block between the head by an inch in spots and it looks more like a cheap exhaust type gasket than a head gasket. The dealership assured me that after all the other issues with the head gasket job, and them using Car Quest parts in place of stock Toyota parts that the only aftermarket parts used were the plug wires, which I initially called them out on, then when I found the cheap, thermostat... Does anyone have a picture of what a stock Toyota head gasket looks like?? Im assuming they are thin metal, not the shiny, metal like an exhaust manifold gasket would be made out of. I am so pissed, its been missing a little and seems to be using a lot of gas, and to he honest feels like it has lost power since the gasket was replaced. How can I tell without tearing it down myself that they used Toyota parts? Now Im betting its all Car Quest parts, and they did not replace the head bolts like they were supposed to. Im going to thoroughly degrease the engine again this week and watch for leaks, I think Ill rent a compression gauge too and check to see where all 6 are at. I want to make damn sure there is an issue or make sure they did not use Toyota parts before I walk in there like a mad man. I do have a case # with Toyota HQ but they told me that since I took the truck there, and since its so old that it was between me and the dealer. Any ideas?? Any input??? Does anyone have a shot of the drivers side head, from underneath on an engine that recently had new gaskets, where stock Toyota gaskets were used? I cant imagine that an OEM head gasket would stick out an inch beyond the freaking block, but I could be wrong!!!!

 

Here are the links to the posts from Feb 09 when all of this started.

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...-happy-165705/


https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...d-here-165919/

 

They do stick out quite a bit, this one was replaced by the dealer in 97 during the recall, I'm assuming its OEM.

http://image57.webshots.com/657/6/32...7JsCkei_fs.jpg

 

I think I'd look into the "Cash for Clunkers" program. Strip it down and trade it in for $4500 toward a new vehicle. Or do a 3.4 swap.

 

That link is no good. There is no reason to trade it in, the truck was bought new by my dad and was garaged most of its life. Its been meticulously maintained and looks like its only 5 years old not 21! Im going to degrease it and see what is going on. I may part ways with it and buy a newer Taco but I dont know....

 

Sorry try this, but to see the HG you'll have to click on the pic and choose the full size option:



Sorry didn't know it was so cherry, sounds like a good 3.4 swap truck then.