I'm pretty sure that i've read to look at the top of the oil cap somewhere, dipstick looks about the same Well it's muddy looking IMO. Give your thoughts and opinions. It's a 1990 v6 pickup(3vze) 212k miles automatic....owner claims head gasket has never been touched....a mechanic told them it was that or the block:/.....should i take a leap of faith and spend the four hundred on the truck and become the new owner?

Symptons owner noticed:
Excessive smoke and temperature raise
Lots of liquid out exhaust

 

With those symptoms, yes, HG at a minimum. Have you looked at the oil in the pan?

 

No I looked at a few things at the owners house. I know it didn't look good.
What should I look for in the pan?

 

Chocolate milkshake like oil when you drain it.

 

....what does that signal/mean

 

Reinforces a failed headgasket diagnosis. You have multiple symptoms. Do a search here and you will find the threads. This issue comes up seemingly weekly and, at times, nearly daily.

Hope the PO did not let if overheat and warp the heads.

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...-smoke-249848/

 

Okay. Will do.

 

Milky oil is a big red arrow pointing at the head gasket. To further diagnose look for a Drop in coolant level, steam (with a sweat scent), Bubbles in radiator (while running with the cap off), and excessive blow-by-gass. Most likely a failed HG, but also check to see if the motor has an oil cooler.

 

Thanks for the advice. Think I'm going to call dealership tomorrow to see if I'm lucky enough to apply for that head gasket recall on this puppy. Now that d make my march

That's still around right? I know the chances that it hasn't been done is slim....but still

 

Your signature says a new Jasper engine. Not likely the dealer would do a recall (if the HG reacall is still around...no) repair on a engine that was not original to the rig? I'za confused by your thinking.....

Good luck.

 

There is a chance... but its suuuuper slim. Take the vin number with you and they should be able to check by vin number.

 

Im pretty sure they still honor the recall, but chances are if it did have a recalled VIN it was already done in the past. There are a few problems with the engine that cause it to fail. High heat on cylinders 1 and 6, water jackets too close to the cylinders, aluminum heads on an iron block, and the stock single ply gasket. This is what ive learned by research. Not sure if it is 100% acurate but it all makes sense to me. What ive seen is the stock gaskets failed before the first 100,000

 

I'll keep tuned in on the recall outcome.

 

Rworegon....

My jasper motor is fine aha. That's a 22re

There s a truck for 400$ that has this problem and I was trying to figure out how severe it was

 

Ah, got it...knew I had something twisted up. Yup, VIN to the dealer pronto and see what they say.

 

Aha wish me luck everyone ima need it.

Tomorrows list
Get vin
Call Toyota

 

For $400... I'd say grab it!! The 3VZE is notorious for having the head gaskets fail. They usually lasted for about 150,000 - 180,000 miles, although I have heard of several making it to 200k. As rworegon says, hopefully the heads aren't warped. But if you have the heads done before you reinstall them, the shop will be able to "flatten" the heads back to normal.

If the owner is right, and the head gaskets were never done, then I would bet serious money that that's the problem. These aren't the easiest motors to work on, but if you have any mechanical skill at all, you can work your way through a head job. (Assuming Toyota won't honor the recall.)

Good luck!!

 

I spoke to Toyota USA last week and they ARE still honouring the recall. You need to give them a call with the VIN to check that the vehicle is still eligible (i.e., hasn't had it replaced already). Unfortunately for me, I live in Australia where they never even started to replace the HGs.

Try Toyota USA on 1-800-GO TOYOTA

They can also put you through to their 'Customer Experience Department' (or some s**t like that) where a mechanic can talk you through everything you need to look out for. They were awesome for me when I blew my HG last week.

 

Thanks for all the replies and answers guys. You all rock!

 

Guys I have great news..... I called today and my dealer said it applied for a steering link recall..... Oh and a head gasket!!!! Original gasket made it 212k I guess.....way to go toyota!

My question now is..... so it might have a crack in the block(no confirmation, that or head gasket)....do I still go for it?I mean its only 400$ and pretty sure the owner never ran it hard and he s the only owner