Head probs year and mileage

[wibblywobbly]

Diesel theory shot down in flames...

I see that a few people are going down the UK diesel route? I think you will find that the Aussie Hilux Surf site has exactly the same moans that we do.

http://pub12.ezboard.com/ftoyotasurfdownunderfrm17

For those that are wondering, I seem to recall from a Toyota recall notice that I read somewhere that the problem with the original heads is that the cooling channel walls are too thin. Hence anyone who skims their head rather than replacing it is going to get the same problem a very short period of time later. It is also worth checking that if a garage is going to do your head for you that they are getting a new head, rather than a reconditioned old one.

There are also a few pointers from Oz that might help:

• There is a bi-metal strip beneath the radiator that controls how soon the fan cuts in. This is adjusted for cold climates on some models and therefore allows the engine to overheat in a hot climate.
• Flush the system as soon as you get the vehicle. Be aware however, that if the Jap dealer has poured Radweld into the coolant to seal the leaks, you may well be unsealing them by subsequent de-scaling?
• Never trust the temperature gauge. Most never read higher than 50% when the head goes.

In all honesty it looks as though the fuel is a non-starter, and that it is luck of the draw, previous misuse, bad maintenance etc that are all contributory factors.

Think about it, the Japs are either sat in heavy traffic in soaring temperatures, or out ranting the things off road. To my mind I would rather buy a ranted high mileage one, than a mint city dwelling low mileage one, as at least if it has been ranted and hasn't blown then it probably never will?

Just a theory!

Cheers

Rob G

[Elvz]

Descaling an old engine might not be such a good idea. According to the theory of coolant technology, a well maintained engine builds up a coating of phosphates on the inside surfaces of the water galleries, which protects them from the micro-bubbles which are formed when the coolant overheats locally. These micro-bubbles are the thing responsible for the erosion of the cast iron head which weakens the head.

I'm not sure if products like Holts Speedflush remove the phosphate coating. If they do they are actually damaging the cylinder head.

I'm also a bit mystified by the number of cylinder head failures in imported vehicles. One thing that might be a factor is the way people drive the cars. I dont think the 2L series of engines like to be pushed very hard and they definitely dont last very well if you continually force them to run at high RPM or make them labor by not changing down when the road speed drops

[FG.]

Dunno if its been mentioned any where.......
but the use of Distilled water instead of normal tap water will vastly reduce those little 'jack hammer' bubbles in the water which eat the engine.
I work on alot of ag/plant engines and the damage ive seen those bubbles do is impressive....eg 8mm cylinder walls with holes knocked thru.
I use a 50/50% Distilled water/good anti freeze in every thing

[Gibber]

Mines a '91 ssr-x 2.4 tdi. don't know if it's LT or LTE. Had it for 14 months now, and no problems. 86,460Km on the clock now, but 75,385 when first registered in UK, just before I bought it. Had a look around the head and rocker box, but I can't see any signs of work having been done, markings or anything else. Haven't flushed it, but it did overheat due to a broken fan belt on the way back from Le Mans this year. Still no problems........maybe I'm just lucky, or is all waiting to happen any minute?

[Cayuga Duck]

Cracked heads downunder

My 1992 2.4T has 86K klms,Only had it a few day but have racked up 1123 K's so far no probs. A local mechanical co (Toyo Spec) look after 5 Surfs. Three new head jobs so far. There is an importer in Queensland Aust. who supplies a modified head.Greetings from Hobart Tasmania.P.S These Surfs make great Utes... Ant more around?

[mark burrows]

Hi
I got mine last christmas,1991 2.4 75,000 kms ,head went in march, the temp guage had been up into the red a few times,i would say that the heads are gone before they are shipped over,there is some stuff that you can buy that seals the cracks for a short while.

[rcutting]

Hi,

Got mine a few months ago 50,000 on the clock. Ran fine until a trip to France where it started overheating and we then had to nurse it home at 30mph filling with water every few miles. Thermostat was jammed as well as head cracked, the garage thought from the damage that it had been that way for a while so probably knackered when in Japan.

Richard.

[wibblywobbly]

France and it blew?

That is just not what I wanted to hear. I bought my Surf cos I am in the process of doing up a cottage over there and this truck is going to be good for towing rubble, builders supplies etc. Mine has been fine runnng around over here so I was kind of hoping that it would be ok over there too.

Oh well, at least the diesel is cheaper!

Cheers

Rob G

[Muzz67]

Just replaced original 2LT-E

It had done 190 000 km and has always had a horrible clanking sound from inside somewhere! I pulled the head of the old engine expecting to find a maze of headcracks, but cant see any. There are massive lips on the bores however, perhaps indicating higher milage than 190 000km.

[trevor butler]

head probs/year and milage

I had the misfortune of buying 91 2.4 and head went, temp guage unreliable and multiple cracks on head. The previous rad had split along top and was replaced by previous owner so maybe damage was already done. Without too much imagination I assume this to be the case as I didnt even get it home. Have subsequently discovered that engine had been tinkered with (rounded off and threaded bolts abound). Will take a mechanic with me to buy second hand vehicles in future, well worth the cost. My surf has covered 117kms although no proof of this as kmph has been changed to mph so plenty of oppurtunity to move a coupl of digits??

[rcutting]

That is just not what I wanted to hear. I bought my Surf cos I am in the process of doing up a cottage over there and this truck is going to be good for towing rubble, builders supplies etc. Mine has been fine runnng around over here so I was kind of hoping that it would be ok over there too.

Oh well, at least the diesel is cheaper!

Cheers

Rob G

I don't think it's France that killed it ! Since having the head done we've taken it on a trip to buy Xmas booze in Belgium via France filling up with lots of cheap diesel on the way and everythings fine !!!

Richard.

[stara]

'91 2.4td ssr-x, 87,000km when i got it, 102,000 now, covered in 5months, mainly lugging band gear around, no problems so far.

[Highlander1]

'91 2.4td ssr-x, 87,000km when i got it, 102,000 now, covered in 5months, mainly lugging band gear around, no problems so far.

".4 td auto ssrg 1991model 60,000km on clock when imported in 2003 has done 6,000km since then!!! now wonder why. most probably knackered either near to or soon after arrival.

is someone putting all this info to good use

Cheers John

[Simon.O.]

Mine is a '89/'90 2.4 TD
2LT the real engine !! not those poofy EFI types !!
263,000 kms on the dial and never been hot since I owned it for the last 30,000 kms.
Our fleet service mechanic puts a weeks pay up to say it is on its original head and rekons that looked after these motor are good for 5oo,ooo ks on a set of rings.
I have flushed the system, ''tubed'' the rad and now have full control over the electric fan including an overtemp warning system.
I ''hope'' that it stays this way !!

[lizardinc]

had my surf just over a year now with full jap service history bought her at 68,000kms and did 75,000 before the bitch cracked her head in germany up and till then she was fantastic and gave no warning signs at all ;; 1993 2.4 ssrg if that helps