I am looking at a 1986 Toyota 4 WD 4Cyl,- 5speed Turbo EFI Pick-up, the owner claims not to much about engines but a mechanic friend of his told him that the vehicle is running rough because it needs a head gasket. What can i ask him to look for to prove this is the case before i make an offer? And would the turbo being bad make the engine run about as bad as it does with a blown head gasket? Now even further, can you tell me(if i drive to look at this vehicle) what to look at to see if the turbo is or is not working? thank you all,
shannan

 

Welcome to YT

Look for the classic signs of HG failure. White smoke from exhaust at start up (early stages) or all the time (later stages). Rough running especially at idle. Coolant loss of any kind, extrernal or internal. External is obvious just look around the block, under the truck or on the ground, also look for an empty coolant overflow bottle. Internal is harder to see, but removing the plugs can show signs or a bore scope will show signs. Also look for signs of coolant in the oil, oil looks like a chocolate milk shake when very bad (that usually ruins the whole engine). Look for oil in the coolant or excessive coolant temps or excessive coolant pressure. Tests can be done by a mechanic too. Compression tests sometimes spot one or testing the coolant for exhaust contaminates.

I don't think a bad turbo would show any of those signs.

 

thank you for that I will call him and ask these. I am leaning towards the whole engine being messed up. i will continue my search for a better deal on a toyota.

 

I agree and check the oil for water mixed usually another sign of hg failure