So a Lucky Blown Head Gasket ????

So Hello all !

Was detailing my engine bay to make the water pump and timing belt shindig more pleasant. ChrisFix on YouTube has killer detail videos.

Well found my head gasket is blown under the exhaust manifold under the number 6 cylinder. TO THE OUTSIDE ONLY. My coolant is still pretty pink, and oil is fine. No overheating, no issues at all. My guess it's been this way for awhile. Makes a pretty pink growth lolol.

So what's the general consensus on my lil predicament please?

 

Bummer on this, as it means the gasket is giving up the ghost. Good thing the leak is towards the outside right now. I’d say have the engine overhauled.

 

Ha Ha that would also be my department lol unfortunately.

Anyone ever seen something like this ? Some ideas on longevity before the damn bursts lolol.

This is my first blown head so new territory. Any experienced souls have 2 cents to throw in on possible damage to either surface? Or just the end of a gasket?

 

I would hold off for a few more opinions before doing anything drastic.

@empty_lord might know.

 

Maybe clean it up and monitor it?

 

Last I checked, blown gaskets don’t repair themselves. They don’t get better. They only get worse. Driving around with a scenario like this is recipe for disaster. You get a blow out inside the engine and you might be ruined.

Toyota sells gasket rebuild kits.

 

Yeah, that's bad. There was a thread a few months ago of someone who had to replace their head gasket. Can't remember who though.

 

Found it. @Kapco78 had the issue, but hasn't been on since June. If you do go down this road, there are plenty of us that can give advice and some one has a link to the FSM for a how to.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/head-gasket-failure-or-loose-bolt.64132/

 

The OP has a V6. Your link is to V8. Same problem that needs fixing regardless.

 

First thing I would do would have the head torqued - possible that the head bolts loosened up , If not I would monitor your antifreeze level and oil quality . Chances are it been seeping for a long time and although yes it can be replaced it is an expensive job when done right and could last for 10 years as is

 

When I see leaks like this it’s either the gasket itself has failed, or there’s corrosion on the head or block that’s breaking the seal. It will only get worse over time.

 

I thank you much sir for your work.

And I must say that timing belt was truly NASTY

 

There is my dilemma. I have a bad feeling its corrosion, because slongo has a valid and I would agree right on point. This Been Going On For A Long Time. And my mind tells me was most likely a blown gasket long ago, now it's most likely grown into a corrosion, rot issue due to heat and constant cooking of antifreeze.

Anyone danced with the BlueDevil or any other so called leak fix. Cause I got a bad feeling about this being rot. Depressing since stupid thing has only 105k on it.

 

Hey guys! ChrisFix here! You're gonna want to replace that gasket. Do some browsing on this and TS forum for a link to a downloadable FSM with index. Make your life so much easier.

Good luck

 

Well I wanna do a lot of things !!

lol but these delightful economic times, having one vehicle, being an out of work single parent. The voyage to discovery has me a bit on edge. Corrosion on the head would be bad but surmountable. Rot on da block aaahhhhhhh that would be a real Awww Shit moment.

 

Blue devil is the first thing id try. If that don’t help, then a full gasket replacement.
Honestly though, blue devil works on small leaks.

 

So what are the few individuals that ended up with clogged heater cores rapping about ??

Could they have had a leak there and wen the Devil did its magic the leaks gone but dammed it up ? Just running through my thoughts.

 

I would run a coolant pressure check if I could and see where I was at and check the rad cap. It might have gotten really hot some where along the way. Antifreeze can have a really bad PH and it doesn't do well corrosion wise when it's like that. Good luck

 

@Smily

Not sure if yours is the 5VZ-FE or the 4.0 V6 of later years? Maybe thats only a 2nd gen thing?

Here is a quote with the field service manual.

 

Funny no 04 ?

I have wrenched for a check in the past and deep inside would love to rip it down. I have no real fears of the actual work other than the normal frozen bolt time eaters. Watching the process done on YouTube quelled my NEVER BEEN THERE issues. After all it's just a lump of toleranced correctly torqued fasteners and parts.

My Reaper in the room is if the block is effed. Then I'm in a world of hurt. I'd have no choice but to do my first engine swap. It's that weird occurrence that accompanies breakdowns BAD TIMING lolol

 

Yeah, I was wondering what changed between '03/'04. I've only changed out injectors before. I think you'll be alright once.

 

@Tundra2 ya strange

 

Yeah.

I know.

Thanks.

 

Did you download it ? Is it searchable ? I had one for my old porsche but it was scanned in page by page was painful to find things

 

Yes, I downloaded it.

Viewed in a browser like Firefox, Google Chrome, or internet explorer it should be searchable using the "find in/on page" features. Chrome is what I use, and I can search for key words.

I'm not sure about being able to search it as just a PDF file.

 

But would you trust it going into the Santa Cruz mountains ?

Would it be ethical or "Fixed ENOUGH" to sell ??

I see this on the tube vids option to use stop leak crap 1st before throwing $$ around.

 

I'd do a block test to detect exhaust gases in the coolant. If it's not swapping fluids yet, and if the coolant does not have gases in it you have some idea of how bad it is. Might buy you a little time until the inevitable.

 

Ok you are right. I admit being stubborn on this, only because both fluids APPEAR visually quite good, and have no off odor. But at this point I do need to rule out the possibility of a catastrophic systemic failure or is it truly a outer peripheral leak. Later I'll post pics of the oil, the coolant, and the resulting block test. Cause lol why not ! we need some visual entertainment to spice up this shit show.

I'm quite bummed that the truck has 105k on it and I draw this card. I'm starting to resign to the fact I am gonna have to fix it. I was all proud wen I bought this vehicle but apparently I got ass raped. So enlight of that fun pill to swallow, I hate that nag in the back of my head that's like....

"HA HA wat makes you think it won't happen again dumb ass !!"

 

Ok waiting for the cool down got fan on it now.

Here is pic of dipstick

And overflow tank

And my clean engine compartment