have 89 4x4 truck just put a 93 3vze in it had 14'000 miles on it.the guy i bought it from had it rebuilt.after putting in the motor and getting it running.i drive it about a week.starter goes out changed that start it up white smoke comes out after a few seconds it stops smoking.so i check the oil and its milky looking so is this a head gasket blown or what and if it is what is the cheapest way to fix it.

 

Do a compression test. It should give you some direction.

 

Do a search man.

There is TONS of info and current projects going on right now...just search for it.

 

Take off you're coolent cap and start the engine, if the coolant comes shooting out, its a hg.

 

sounds oddly dangerous. . .

I think you should be looking for oil in your coolant, not if your coolant explodes at you or not.

 

Well, it shouldnt be dangourous. The exhaust will just push the coolant out. Just get somone to start it up, while you watch, then just turn it off right away..

 

milk shake looking oil is a pretty good sign of a blown head gasket. No need to start it up with the rad. cap off.

 

The "cheapest way to do it" is probably why it only lasted 14k before needing yet another rebuild. Take your time, spend some $$$, and do it right. Or, do it again in another 14K miles.

If the oil is milkshake, then its time to fix/replace the engine. Have the heads checked for cracks, and straightness.

 

That's good advice. Something wasn't done right the first time around. The longer you drive it with coolant in the oil, the greater chance of damaging internals, such as bearings, rings, & cylinders.

 

just do it right the first time. these engines will last forever, but they like to be coddeled. not as in drivin all nice and stuff. i mean taken care of. dont short them. lol. like a person. be nice and give them every opportunity to succed and they wont let u down. much.

 

This method actually works very well. The only thing I do differently is to pull the coil wire and just crank the engine.
2 common sense things, when you first crank it DONT have your face directly over the radiator. Depending on how bad its blown it will be bubbles or shoot 3 feet out of the radiator.
Second do it when the coolant is cold to prevent scalding

 

A coolant pressure tester is a MUCH more precise way to tell if you've blown a head gasket. Compression test didn't tell me squat when mine was blown; they were 210 psi across the board, even though it was blowing coolant out the exhaust like a locomotoive...

 

thanks for all your help will check it out next week.i will let u know about it

 

wheres the cheapest place to buy hgs and head bolts for 3vze

 

www.engnbldr.com

excellent quality, OUTSTANDING customer service, good prices.

 

X2 on engnbldr.com he is an awesome guy to deal with and service and quality is great.

 

again with the cheap....CHEAP is not BETTER. I have not used Ted@engnbldr, but I have heard lots of good things about them.

 

do yall think the heads are hurt going to have them checked anyway and after i fix the gaskets whats the best way to flush the motor out to get all the coolant out. seafoam will that work. thanks for all your help

 

When you start the motor for the first time, put a hose into the radiator & let it run slowly while you idle the engine up to warm. this will flush anything out of the system. When the coolant flows out clear, you're done! I've been doing this for years. It should be done at least every two years.

 

I got my gasket (22r) From Toyota. And I went the extra mile and got my head checked. Come to find out, even though I never overheated and and only drove about a mile after the gasket went. Evidently the previous owner overheated it which is the reason the gasket went. My head was warped, I got it cleaned, checked, shaved, new valve seats and seals installed. I know I only have one head compared to a v6 but it only cost me $160 for all that