Repair advice? Blown head gasket on 4th Gen 4Runner?
- Thread starter cbradley
- Start date
Yeah, I'm taking it the heads to a local shop to get checked out. I called him tonight, but he's in Carlisle all weekend, so the project is getting put on hold for a couple of days. He charges a flat rate of $40 per head to check it out (flatness and pressure).
keezer37
Explorer
Interested to hear how it turns out.
My heads were slightly out also and this without any overheating. I ran through the reassembly procedures to ensure nothing was overlooked, down to checking the head bolts for stretch. Crank timing was off on the initial reassembly, popping a code. It runs beautiful now. Engine idles at 550 with nary a jitter of the needle. You'd think it was a Lexus.:ylsmoke:
I'm still checking the coolant level. Can't break the habit.
I kicked around the idea of measuring and reusing the head bolts, but I figure the $70 for new head bolts is worth the peace of mind knowing that I have new ones in there.
Did you do your own, too, keezer? If so, what did you use for sealant on the timing cover where the FSM manual calls for another seal packing other than the FIPG? (for the coolant channels) The sealant that the FSM calls for there is $48. Absurd amount of money for a 6" bead of sealant. I picked up some Permatex Ultra Copper to use.
I am going to start cleaning up everything this afternoon, and reassembly will start tomorrow, hopefully. I really really hope it's back on the road Tuesday. It's going to be such a great feeling when it fires up for the first time. haha
Did you do your own, too, keezer? If so, what did you use for sealant on the timing cover where the FSM manual calls for another seal packing other than the FIPG? (for the coolant channels) The sealant that the FSM calls for there is $48. Absurd amount of money for a 6" bead of sealant. I picked up some Permatex Ultra Copper to use.
I am going to start cleaning up everything this afternoon, and reassembly will start tomorrow, hopefully. I really really hope it's back on the road Tuesday. It's going to be such a great feeling when it fires up for the first time. haha
keezer37
Explorer
I didn't do my own.
Would have liked to but it's my only transportation so no way to get around once the job begins. Hated the idea of someone else working on my stuff but, what are ya gonna do?
I have used Permatex on other occasions though. Just make sure it's suitable for the surface it's being applied to and what fluids it might come in contact with.
Would have liked to but it's my only transportation so no way to get around once the job begins. Hated the idea of someone else working on my stuff but, what are ya gonna do?
I have used Permatex on other occasions though. Just make sure it's suitable for the surface it's being applied to and what fluids it might come in contact with.
Yeah, luckily we don't have to rely on the 4Runner as one of our daily drivers. It usually is my wife's DD, but we have other vehicles that can fill in.
I emailed Permatex and described the conditions, and they recommended their Ultra Grey or Ultra Copper. I picked up the Ultra Copper.
I emailed Permatex and described the conditions, and they recommended their Ultra Grey or Ultra Copper. I picked up the Ultra Copper.
Got the heads, cams, and timing chains back on this afternoon. Ready to put on the timing cover, but something doesn't make sense to me in the FSM.
Here is an excerpt...
Anyone have a clue what B is referring to? The little arrows, and then the big black B doesn't make much sense to me. Any insight?
Also, my timing chain has a little bit of slack (maybe 1/2") down at the crank sprocket. It comes off of the LH intake cam sprocket and down a chain guide to the crank sprocket. Is is something that I should be worried about? All of the timing marks are aligned. I wish I had taken note as to how much slack was there before disassembly. The rest of the chain is tight, as it's either tightened by the tensioner or the idler sprocket pulley, but this bit of chain has nothing to put any tension on it.
Anyway, hope to be hoisting the engine back into the vehicle either tomorrow afternoon or Monday (holiday for me!). We are going on vacation this Thursday, and it will be a great vacation if I know I have a fully functional 4Runner sitting at home in the garage!
Any ideas appreciated. Thanks!
Here is an excerpt...
Anyone have a clue what B is referring to? The little arrows, and then the big black B doesn't make much sense to me. Any insight?
Also, my timing chain has a little bit of slack (maybe 1/2") down at the crank sprocket. It comes off of the LH intake cam sprocket and down a chain guide to the crank sprocket. Is is something that I should be worried about? All of the timing marks are aligned. I wish I had taken note as to how much slack was there before disassembly. The rest of the chain is tight, as it's either tightened by the tensioner or the idler sprocket pulley, but this bit of chain has nothing to put any tension on it.
Anyway, hope to be hoisting the engine back into the vehicle either tomorrow afternoon or Monday (holiday for me!). We are going on vacation this Thursday, and it will be a great vacation if I know I have a fully functional 4Runner sitting at home in the garage!
Any ideas appreciated. Thanks!
Got the engine in yesterday and buttoned it up this afternoon. Fired it up around 4pm. Runs great. Haven't taken it for a spin yet, as the dealership didn't give me (yeah, they actually gave me free SLLC) enough coolant.
Headed out on vacation Thursday and not getting back into town until the 23rd, so a test drive will have to wait until then.
Shew, that was not fun, but probably worth the money I saved. I've got about $700 in it (gasket kit, water pump, hoses, belt, SnapOn head bolt tool, and machine work).
Headed out on vacation Thursday and not getting back into town until the 23rd, so a test drive will have to wait until then.
Shew, that was not fun, but probably worth the money I saved. I've got about $700 in it (gasket kit, water pump, hoses, belt, SnapOn head bolt tool, and machine work).
cbradley
Adventurer
Me too; I'm still paying that off.
cam-shaft
Bluebird days
New here but this thread did grab my attention due to the fact I have an 05 tacoma. No issues yet.
Question for you cpayne5, What head bolt tool did you need from snap-on? Just trying to be prepared in case I ever have to deal with problem.
Also how are the 4.0 cylinders numbered, 1,2,3 for one bank or 1,3,5?
Thanks, Cam-shaft
Question for you cpayne5, What head bolt tool did you need from snap-on? Just trying to be prepared in case I ever have to deal with problem.
Also how are the 4.0 cylinders numbered, 1,2,3 for one bank or 1,3,5?
Thanks, Cam-shaft
