how have you been Rabbit?

 

Resurrection/update: Finally got the head off. Nothing new, looks exactly like before; no obvious signs that the HG even blew, but there is water in the cylinder. I haven't done anything yet but take off the head. Hoping to get it back together when the weather warms up...

 

I think, you have a bad block haha... you should locate another block or at least have yours closely examined by a machine shop.

 

What do you think is bad? I spec'd this engine out to the max & it was all within FSM specs...

 

yeah, no error of yours, but its been suggested that maybe there was a defect in the casting of your block in one the cooling passages. That would make a heck of a lot more sense than an error in the installation, as I am well aware you did a phenomenal job on your rebuild, more thorough than most members on this site would even dream of haha.

 

If there was a cooling passage defect in the block, I'm pretty certain it would have showed up way before 200+ thousand miles...?

 

unless towing is what triggered the extra stress on the motor.

who knows. Im just sick of being paranoid about my head gaskets going.

 

good point.

 

Given that is only happened after towing, I'm guessing that is the key...

 

i can understand your frustration... This POS is yet again blowing another headgasket. This is its third....

all specd, new bolts, all that crap... not driven hard... just a POS underpowered turd motor....

This one is losing water and boiling water in the overflow when im stopped, pressure in the system too.. no mixing but its just a matter of time...

Is the 3.4 much more reliable because i can't take this POS anymore. i'm about to sell this junk and get something else but i love my truck....

anyone in Socal do a 3.4 swap? might want to offer me some advice??

to the OP good luck on your rebuild but after my third HG now i am completely over this POS motor...

 

Well mine has 257,000 miles on it and has never been opened up.

Still factory head gaskets, is what i was told when i bought it.
Its only a matter of time.

I keep good oil in it, try to keep it cool, but i DO drive it. When it goes ill worry about it then.

 

I have two; both with over 210k on original gaskets, one leaks oil from the gaskets, one does not. Both are the old asbestos head gaskets, which seem to last and last as long as you don't over heat it.

 

I think that you've solved your mystery. A higher compression is going to generate more heat, be more sensative to octane changes, and thus be more prone to say "bye bye" if you are lean. The trailer was probably the added strain that broke the camel's back.

If you rebuild, put a wideband like the LC1 on it so you can see what your AFR is. The viscous fan failure thing could also be related but it seems a bit far fetched.


Mine has recently started pissing out the side of the headgasket. grrr!

 

I agree. I missed the post where you explained your theory haha...

 

I think your better off just getting another motor that one sounds like a lemon.
I am glad I don't have the 3vze anymore I think I rebuilt mine about 3 times as well it's a money pit.

You can always find a part toyota on craigslist.com .

 

Well to the OP.. and anyone else who has a headgasket problem.

in my situation i got tired of replacing these headgaskets and decided to go 3.4.. while saving money to get all the parts i fgured what the hell i'll try the Bar's headgasket fix... (liquid you pour in your radiator) what can it hurt? the motor is coming out anyway!

That stuff actually works! no more sputterig, no mixing, pretty surprised at it actually. the truck runs fine... i'm still going to go 3.4 but that stuff bought me some time.. its been running for about 2 months with no problems after pouring that stuff in my radiator...

9 bucks for the bars headgasket stop leak! to let me drive this POS motor for a little longer!

 

The only thing is your heater core and radiator may end up getting clogged up from that stuff. If I were you I wouldn't open your heater valve until you swap out that engine and get a new radiator.

 

i missed it... do you have headers?

If not those stock exahust manafolds are your nemisis. To much hot exhaust at the #6. Its just a flat bad design.

Ive got headers on both of my rebuilds and have never had any issues. one has 100K + on it the other has about 30K.

 

No headers.

I didn't have a problem at the #6; it was #2, the furthest possible distance from the heat.

It had no problems until I overheated it at 218k miles. Since then, nothing but trouble. The heads & block were mic'd and WELL within all limits (1/10 of allowable) per the FSM for warpage. This is all in the rebuild thread. I'm stumped why the 3.0 sux after rebuild, but 1 in 100 lasts after a head gasket is blown...???

 

Towing 2600 lbs with a motor that has less than 200 cu in is asking too much.

My $0.02