4.7 Leaking Head?

Hi All,

First time posting. Truck is a 2000 4.7 2wd Automatic with just over 200k miles.

I recently took it into a local shop (first time going there - seems like a reputable place though) for help diagnosing a power steering fluid leak (I'm new to DIY mechanics and trying to learn).

Instead of diagnosing the PS leak they apparently spotted a coolant leak so, without contacting me, they added a dye to the coolant and are claiming my engine's "head is also leaking".

I asked the few questions that I could think of e.g. why am I not seeing coolant leaking on the ground (apparently evaporating?), is it the head or the head gasket (they didn't know), can we just replace the heads and head gasket instead of the entire motor (they said they don't do either on 4.7 motors because the heads are prone to cracking?).

I've tried researching this issue and haven't found any information or similar issues so I'm turning to y'all for assistance. Has anyone heard of this issue? Is there any truth to what they're saying about the heads?

I'm planning to get a 2nd opinion from a different shop but haven't yet. As I typed this out, it's become more apparent that something doesn't seem right. I don't have any reason to doubt the shop but everyone makes mistakes so I'm hoping it could be that.

Thanks all.

 

What did they say about the PS leak?

 

They didn't say anything about the PS leak.

The invoice just says they found that it was leaking. It's a bad leak so that was stating the obvious lol

 

Get your truck back and take it somewhere else

 

Ask for their findings IN WRITING and tell them you need to think it over. Then take it somewhere else.

 

You took it in for a power steering leak. They did not address your requested concern. They failed the test. Then "discovered" an issue you had no idea existed with no symptoms noticed by you. An issue requiring expensive labor repairs (billable hours). I would be skeptical.

 

Thanks guys. I picked up the truck the other day telling them I'd need to think about next steps. I have the invoice in writing which literally says "Customer states PS Leak. Found that the rack and pinion is leaking and the head is also leaking."

I was skeptical as well but what was also strange is they seemed indifferent to doing the repair (they stated an engine replacement was needed). They didn't quote me on the spot seemingly expecting that I'd need time to think it over. They weren't pushy about doing the repair and didn't give me any doom and gloom sales pitch. They also said we could consider a junkyard motor which is odd from my experience of going to other shops which usually recommend new parts/components without exception.

Is there any truth to what they're saying about the heads on these motors?

 

I can't recall a single head gasket issue here off the top of my head, especially don't recall any issues with heads cracking. Are you actually loosing any coolant over time?

 

Take it elsewhere. Most of our racks leak slowly with age into the dust boots; unless it was pooling under the rack, they didn’t find the cause of your concern.

 

I haven't noticed any coolant loss but also haven't really been looking for it. I'll be monitoring from here on out.

I also haven't noticed any other symptoms e.g. temp gauge rising past the typical point or the engine overheating. There's no check engine light or codes.

I had the timing belt replaced 2 years ago (different shop) and have put less than 2k miles on it. When they replaced the timing belt they also replaced the radiator and didn't find a coolant leak.

 

This ^^

If these people don't specifically deal with Toyota, the 2UZ-FE is a very well known engine. Over here in this "everyone should read this" megathread, we cover the most common leaks, in the event you want to look yourself. I'll paste this here, but just know: It's 100% normal to find crusty (usually pink crusties, if the correct coolant is being used) buildup around some joints. Less-scrupulous shops could/will use that as "evidence of leakage". It's 100% not-normal for the "heads to leak" on these trucks, much less blow a gasket, even after an overheat. And, as your keen deductive skills have already detected, you're not losing coolant, so you properly spotted the con. Anyway, poke around, and see if you can find leaks in any of these spots. Most are a very cheap fix.

• Coolant leaks: Common sources here...
  • At/around the thermostat housing. Check this out, and alternately see this post is for leaks at t-stat housing/inlet neck.
  • The rear-to-front coolant bypass tube along bank 2 under the intake (video fix).
  • The coolant bypass housing between banks at the rear of the block (pics/info).
  • This reply contains links to three other off-brand/odbball leak cases.
  • For radiator leaks, this is one example of a tiny one - always replace with Denso brand radiator, and know different cab types use different sizes, careful where you order, scAmazon especially tends to deliver damaged products often (RockAuto has a spotless record with forum members). Proactive radiator replacement is wise. The transmission line routes through the bottom of the radiator ... go look up "pink milkshake", it happens in these trucks.
  • Here's a list of all things to check if you're losing coolant mysteriously, but you're not seeing white smoke/smelling sweet exhaust out of the tail pipe.

PS - find a new shop. Toyota specialty shop is best. But go in prepared. We have a lot of the info you need to arm yourself with right here in this forum and can provide a sanity check if you upload pics using the 'upload a file' button.

PPS - If timing belt was done that recently, it's worthwhile to verify the crank position sensor wire harness was routed correctly, behind the bracket, this is a common mistake to leave it in front of the bracket, where it gets nicked by pulley/belt. Sometimes the camshaft position sensor under the driver timing cover gets pinched by the water pump too.

PPPS - on the leaky steering rack, can you get a visual on where it's leaking? Sometimes using a seal conditioner like

$21 AT-205 Re-Seal Stops Leaks, 8 Ounce Bottle

AT-205 in the rack (add 3-4oz max) and driving around will refresh the old seals and quell leaks. It's not a "magic in a bottle" product, it just contains the same additives most oils already have when new, additives your fluid has likely exhausted a loooong time ago.

 

Post pics around the thermostat housing and around the various coolant crossover pipes