Well, I called the local Yota dealership, and the gal either couldn't find it, or the head gasket update was never done on my truck. It's strange, because when I called the no defunct jackhole place that maintaned the thing, the guy told me the gaskets had been done.

So, tomorrow I will call and talk to someone who knows how to find their ass with a flashlight and night, and see how screwed I am. Either Toyota makes it right, or I fork out a grand to have the cheapest place in town do it, or I spend 60 hours in my garage swearing at metric bolts with an attitude... :pat:

Ah well, one way or another.

Thanks for the help!

 

Vmaxjohn, shoot me an email with your Vin # and I will give you a quote on the gasket. I can promise you it will be competitive.

Todd
Toyota of Richardson
Parts Department
972-238-4465
800-527-2781

 

Thanks for the offer Todd, if I have to do it myself, I'll contact ya for the parts.

I called and talked to a guy who knows what the heck is going on, and said he remembers the truck and the original owner. Evidently, the gaskets were done twice! Once with the old style, and the last time with new style gaskets that should have fixed the problem.
I'm really hoping it's just a slow leak. The coolant was full in February, and the over heating happened after about 6000miles.

Anyway, I'm to take it in next week so they can test the coolant and have a look around. If they can't warranty the work, I'll keep adding coolant and stop leak until something happens!

My next question is, how hard of a job is it to pull the heads?

I've built my own motors in the past, but mostly small block chevies which are pretty simple. I've done this job on carbed engines only. Are these motors more intimidating because of all the crap under the hood, or are they actually harder than average?

 

Well, the main thing I is making sure the right amount torque and bolt pattern is followed properly. In other words yes you need to have a wrench that will enable you to know the right amount of foot pounds per bolt. In addition, there is a very specific pattern to installing the bolts. Make sure you consult your service manual concerning the patter and torque specs under cylinder head. If you haven't done this before I would definitely have someone that has done it before help you out.

TP

 

AHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHA YOU BLEW YOUR HEAD GASKET HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA!


Just kidding I hope hehe have fun fixing iit !!

 

Pretty funny, eh Sparky? Come over here a second...lol

I'm still not sure what's going to happen, the coolant has not gone down any appreciable amount since I added some alumaseal and topped it off. I will have it tested to see if any combustion contaminants are getting in there though. Tomorrow I'll have time to do the bubbles in the radiator test, which might provide a clue.

While I'm at it, I'll have to figure out how to adjust the lifters too...aren't they solid on this thing?