Head or head gasket gone?

[coolsv650]

It looks like my surf has succumbed. I've just got back from a trip out, whilst on the road I noticed it was running a little hot on hills that I never have a problem on, Got to hal£ords for some Polish and checked under the bonnet, a leak, not from a hose but the top header tank. lost about 1ltr water.

Topped it up 2 get home then out with the blow lamp and solder so I thought I'd check the system, muddy brown water in the radiator & once I start it up there is a stream of bubbles water everywhere & smoke/steam coming from the rad cap. I've sealed up the leaks and it's now bubbling out at the side of the top hose.

From my mechanic days It does not look good and I think the head gasket has gone (at least) there is no oil in the water but the water looks like there could be signs of oil in.

has this happened to anybody else. it's about the 2nd or 3rd time I've had to solder up the rad. otherwise the motor runs fine

Go on give me the bad news

[BUSHWHACKER]

It looks like my surf has succumbed. I've just got back from a trip out, whilst on the road I noticed it was running a little hot on hills that I never have a problem on, Got to hal£ords for some Polish and checked under the bonnet, a leak, not from a hose but the top header tank. lost about 1ltr water.

Topped it up 2 get home then out with the blow lamp and solder so I thought I'd check the system, muddy brown water in the radiator & once I start it up there is a stream of bubbles water everywhere & smoke/steam coming from the rad cap. I've sealed up the leaks and it's now bubbling out at the side of the top hose.

From my mechanic days It does not look good and I think the head gasket has gone (at least) there is no oil in the water but the water looks like there could be signs of oil in.

has this happened to anybody else. it's about the 2nd or 3rd time I've had to solder up the rad. otherwise the motor runs fine

Go on give me the bad news

As long as the steam isn't coming out the exhaust, and the expansion tank isn't bubbling, then all is well.
Solder the rad when engine is stone cold for better results.

You'll need to get rid of the air-lock that the holes in the rad sucked in when the engine cooled.

[coolsv650]

Cheers Vince,

I seem to becoming a dab hand at this soldering lark, my dad would be proud! (ex plumber!)

[Vagrant No2]

If the coolant is brown and mucky , flush system and refill with fresh coolant and a new rad cap .

[coolsv650]

it had a new rad cap about 4 weeks ago (at the same time as doing the wife's head) Im a bit worried about it puffing like an old steam engine out of the rad cap the last 2 motors that showed those signs both had cracked heads

[marky]

it had a new rad cap about 4 weeks ago (at the same time as doing the wife's head) Im a bit worried about it puffing like an old steam engine out of the rad cap the last 2 motors that showed those signs both had cracked heads

The WIFE must get HOT at times then
Also replace THERMOSTAT

[coolsv650]

The WIFE must get HOT at times then
Also replace THERMOSTAT

I can't say much other than ooh errr Missus!

[marky]

I can't say much other than ooh errr Missus!

Dont stress her out too Much Its nearly XMAS

[coolsv650]

Dont stress her out too Much Its nearly XMAS

I'm not going to stress her at all...... don't tell her but she has just donated either the surf, or the mini until mines fixed!!!!!

[coolsv650]

update. I've just done a cooling system test with a piece of kit bought from ebay...... it's just confirmed my worst fears. we have a problem.... well it's off with the head this weekend!

[colin timney]

update. I've just done a cooling system test with a piece of kit bought from ebay...... it's just confirmed my worst fears. we have a problem.... well it's off with the head this weekend!

ouch! hope you have better luck than me i've just had the head done,i got no warning with mine,the first i new was seening a cloud of white smoke.
colin

[toyotav84x4]

Keep us posted on your diagnosis.

Head or Gasket failure?

[coolsv650]

ouch! hope you have better luck than me i've just had the head done,i got no warning with mine,the first i new was seening a cloud of white smoke.
colin

I havent had the white smoke, but there is some serious pressure in the cooling system, the damn thing runs so sweet as well

I'll update you as soon as its in bits!

[Sancho]

Sorry to throw a cat amongst the pigeons, but there seems to be a sudden rush of head failures on 3.0s. Could it be that both types of engine have head problems but that they have taken longer to show on the 3.0s because they're generally newer than the 2.4s?

[charvell]

Are these 2nd heads that have gone? I was talking to a mate who works at toyota and he said that the KZN 185 is vertually bullet proof. He did say that any engine can suffer head failer. You just ahve to check all the levels and service it correctly