heads up

[surfenstein]

i seem to be reading about more and more surf heads cracking,not only 2.4 heads but 3.0 and third gen now.is there something we can do as a forum,to unravel the mystery as to why they are cracking,there must be a reason.The trucks run fine in japan but as soon as we get them over here, they crack.Im not saying they all do it,but we as a forum must be able to put together some king of sticky thread,we all assume its a fault that lies within the head and that good precautionary servicing and looking after the cooling system helps.Or is there something that we are doing to these trucks that the japs dont do that weakens the head,like fuel for instance,octane ratings,etc.any one any thoughts ????

[Predictable Bob]

Seems like we need to collect some evidence and related info ...

As a starting point:

Engine type
Mileage
Age

Engine Mods:
EGR block
Fuel injection tweak
Aftermarket intercooler
Bobbox or similar
Turbo washer mod


Any other related mods can be added as well as any related info - for instance running with half of Salisbury Plain in the rad or seriously gunged up cooling system

[surfenstein]

good starting point bob. we might want to add towing trailer/caravan.

[Ace Piker]

Mine's on it's 3rd head! The first one went in the winter after a long fast run and I took it through a car wash. I swear I heard it crack as the ice cold water jetted through the intercooler intake. Got it replaced by the same local garage that recovered me. It cost a fortune and lasted a year! The next one was fitted up north, by a specialist (who's name escapes me) and has been spot on ever since.

[gwh200]

Would that be stevo...he replaced my head....and removed a kidney to pay for it.

[Ace Piker]

Would that be stevo...he replaced my head....and removed a kidney to pay for it.

That's the one. Wasn't as expensive as Manchett's in Newmarket and has lasted a darn sight longer!

[yoshie]

Are Surfs here in the main older, higher mileage?

[Shalershasker]

Ok, here’s mine

3rd gen
1KZ-TE
128000 miles
14 years old
No engine mods
EGR not blocked off
No intercooler
Run on standard diesel, no veg and no fancy clean burning diesels etc.
Redex on serviceing (which I've done only once since I got it)
Average of 4500 miles a year

The head has not gone on mine (YET) but the thing that has been bugging me more than anything else recently is since fitting my aftermarket temp gauge, I read on here that the average temp is around 90 degrees, higher if going up long hills, towing etc. Now, I don't tow anything yet as I haven't got my tow bar fitted yet but have taken it up long steep hills and given it some beans to see how the temp would react, I struggled and I mean really struggled to get above 82, ordinarily it just sits at about 72 and may climb to about 78 depending on conditions but soon drops back down again.
As far as I can tell everything coolant related is standard on mine, there's no extra fans no extra cooling rads of any kind, all I've done is two coolant flushes since I picked it up one year ago this month, although it would appear that 3rd gen heads are now starting to go, did they make any changes to this system between the 2nd and 3rd gens even though they are running the same engines?

[stormforce]

With the cooling system the people who have had the heads go on the truck have they had the proper coolant in or has it just been water.
My old 2nd gen only had water in for years while i had it.I had the temp off the scale on a few occassions while towing.Ihadn't serviced the truck proper for about 3 years and when i did this year the engine siezed but the head was perfectly ok

So the question is has the truck proper coolant or just water

[Hazzo]

Mine was bog standard apart from 16 in wheels and looks lifted but know nothing about it prior to previous two owners who did no mods.

Appeared to have been looked after and not offroaded, coolant very fresh n red.

Oils n filter changed every 3 grand, grease points by me before each winter.

Towed 1450 kg caravan around no problem, roughly 75-80 grand on clock.

Bought newer caravan, 1800 kg towed 70 miles. Shortly after noticed slight coolant loss, though running fine, 5 months later thermostat failed on 600 mile run no option but to top up when engine cooled at 300, continued journey, replaced thermostat/coolant etc, still running fine, 3 months later towed caravan 30 miles, noticed car was struggling with inclines and could not reach tow speed of 55-60 on mway, car still running well on its own. Filters changed, filled with redex did fast drive for 5 mile, next day seized/waterlocked, removed head and found cracks between 4-3-2 cylinder head valve, pot 3 contained a teaspoon of water.

I personally think the 85-90 deg running temp is too hot and escalates massively during towing/hard driving, I think a much lower thermostat should be in these engines if your gonna tow and also add a tranny oil cooler, other than that the ally head is the weakest point on this engine, even the gasket seems to be sheet metal, so pressure up, temp up, no other place to pop but the chocolate ally head.

I don't think age comes into it, regular servicing and normal (up to 80mph) driving should not affect any engine badly, least of all a 3.0L deisel lump. H

[Ace Piker]

Are Surfs here in the main older, higher mileage?

99 3rd Gen, but It's now done 250,000 miles and I drive it like a nutter (on & off road!)

[Mrbill]

i seem to be reading about more and more surf heads cracking,not only 2.4 heads but 3.0 and third gen now.is there something we can do as a forum,to unravel the mystery as to why they are cracking,there must be a reason.The trucks run fine in japan but as soon as we get them over here, they crack.Im not saying they all do it,but we as a forum must be able to put together some king of sticky thread,we all assume its a fault that lies within the head and that good precautionary servicing and looking after the cooling system helps.Or is there something that we are doing to these trucks that the japs dont do that weakens the head,like fuel for instance,octane ratings,etc.any one any thoughts ????

At last!!!! I hope this thread, idea does not dissaper. Sticky for sure, research yes!

Needs a man at the top to take care of the info and sort it all out - you up for that?

[BioHazard]

Water pumps failing and muddy rads are the most common link to causing overheating ......therefor poorly maintained cooling systems

[gwh200]

The present surf...did get hot. Pressure in the cooling system prompted me to visit stevo. Since it was replaced last October, it hasn't used any coolant. I reckon it was poor maintainence, coupled with a VERY dirty, blocked rad.

[puddlesurfer]

My 2.4 has done around 90-95K miles, I don't know if it's head has ever been done.
I get a puff of white smoke on start up, which clears after a minute.
It does slow down quite a lot going up hills.
No sign of contamination in water or oil though.
Coolant system needs a really good flush through still, I've done it twice since November (when I bought it) but it still appears to be a rusty colour.