I just replaced a head gasket on my 87 22r, and thought I had done everything right. My last step before turning the key was to add coolant. I filled the radiator up and soon a drip started, before turning the key. I got it started and the drip increased some. I took a mirror and could see coolant on the egr plate on the back of the head. I thought that was all for air. Does anyone have any suggestions on where this leak is coming from?

Thanks,
Andrew

 

The plate in the back is for coolant not air. It's most likely what is leaking. If not also check the Heater control valve on the firewall, it might have been damaged when you took the head off. As well as the heater core hoses.

 

When I looked at the passage in the plate before I put the head on, it was pretty dirty with carbon build up. It didn't look like anything coolant had been running through.

 

Come to think of it, there might be both, that's why they call it an EGR cooler. The the tube is for the exhaust but the rest of the housing has coolant.

 

Coolant, oil, and EGR gasses pass through that plate. ALWAYS disassemble, clean, and re-gasket that area when the head is off. You'll have to pull the head again to access and fix the leak(s).

 

I never thought there should be a gasket on that plate. Rookie mistake. It was definitely where it was leaking, and hopefully I can find one within walking distance tomorrow. And it's hard as hell to reach back there, but I don't plan on removing the head again.

Thanks for the replies. I was thinking an interesting thread would be to find out who depends on their yota as a daily driver. It will be nice to have my rig fill that role again.