Hopefully not terminal problem! Advice please

[the silver surfer]

Several weeks ago when starting the engine, either from hot or cold, it was really lumpy. Much like it was only firing on 3 cylinders and there was an abnormal amount of white smoke. After about 5-10 seconds it would run perfectly fine and no smoke. I replaced the glow plugs in case this was the issue, but it made no difference.
Then last week when trying to start it there was a really loud 'clonking' sound, much like a starter motor not spinning but just 'punching' out. This was intermittent so didn't really pay too much attention to it. Then I had an over-heating issue. Never before had the temp gauge gone over 50%, but this time it was off the scale. I stopped to let it cool down and when I got the rad cap off I topped it up with coolant. At that point I thought the thermostat might have gone, but for the next few days it was perfectly normal.
Yesterday I went for a short trip and noticed the temp was off the scale again, fortunately just as I got home. Again I let it cool down and saw the rad was empty, as was the expansion bottle. I took the oil filler cap off and my worst fear was realised. Yes, creme brule' everywhere. Mierda!

So it's been many many a year since I had anything like this happen to one of my cars so I'm hoping for a little bit of a diagnosis from the gurus please

I'm really hoping that the thermostat stuck which lead to a blown head gasket. I think that's my best case scenario, but is there the possibility it's worse than that? I need to know if I have to start looking for alternative transport as I have some long distance hospital trips coming up.

What also sucks is that I'd just done an oil & filter change with some funky, un-cheap Petronas oil

Thanks in advance guys.

[Growler]

I'd be prepared to replace the head as it sounds like it has cracked

[Diezel Weazel]

What he says ....unfortunately it sounds like the inevitable ....

15+ Years of Surfs .. n Faultless to a "T" is my Yota !! So I got another ..

[NiftyNev]

Lumpy start sounds like coolant was getting into the bore of at least one cylinder because of cracked head and almost causing hydro lock. The white smoke could have been steam as the coolant was heated and released.

Nev.

[the silver surfer]

Thanks for the comments guys. Before I take it down to the mechanic what are the chances it's just the head gasket? And if it is either the gasket or the head that are gone, what causes this problem? Trying to piece together a sequence of events to determine when and how it could have happened.

[RebelV8]

It won't be the head gasket, it's never the gasket!
Always the head

[the silver surfer]

So I guess the obvious question, apart from a bit of a fault explanation, is where to buy? RT price is not cost effective for the vehicle (may as well just buy a whole new Surf), Milners has what looks like an excellent priced unit, but it's from China and I'm a little sceptical about Chino quality. If I absolutely have to get a new head then I'd prefer new, at least I'll know its history then.

[RebelV8]

I got mine from RT and can certainly reccomend them. I inadvertently sent my cracked one back to them with some vital parts still attached ( first time I'd bought a new head ). They took the time to call me and check if I needed the parts, then posted them back to me, free of charge.

[the silver surfer]

RT price £838.80
Milner £432

Is the RT head really 100% better than Milners? It's a big difference financially and at over €1060 I really would be better off stipping my Surf for parts and buying a new motor.

[RebelV8]

Looking at RT, it looks like everything you need will come to £750 ish including vat.
Mine is still going strong after a couple years.

[the silver surfer]

http://www.roughtrax4x4.com/premier-...-head-kit.html £838.80

http://www.milneroffroad.com/toyota-...-head-built-up £432

Granted the RT kit comes with a gasket set and new bolts but the Milner option only adds about £96 to the price with these extra bits.

If I'm going to have to replace the head I'd change all the bits, so new cam, valves etc etc. Might as well fit a new cam belt kit whilst we're there. And of course, there's Milner's forum discount too, which is not to be sniffed at especially when talking about several hundreds of pounds of goods.

[RebelV8]

Sorry was looking at the head for a 2.4, price maybe reflects quality though.

[the silver surfer]

I hear what yer saying, but can there be that much of a difference between the two?

I'm way out of my depth of knowledge in this matter and whilst I agree that sometimes you get what you pay for, that isn't always the case. And I wouldn't expect that Milners would just sell any old tosh just to have a product to sell. They have standards they want to keep to too I expect.

Man this is a minefield!!!

[tomtemp]

cylinder heads

3 months or so or so back I had the same problems. After much web surfing I came across a guy on the Pajero Owners website called V8 Rick and he went into much detail about heads bought off ebay from a London based outfit Peer Parts they advertise under the name Imadfish. He states that he has used over 350 heads from this company and never had a problem with any of the heads he bought. His only stipulation is get rid of any potential problem areas and so renew water pump,thermostat and radiator as well as using a quality head gasket, as one of these are certain to have caused the original head to fail. I tool his advise and bought a complete head with valves, camshaft,injectors and bolts,all delivered out to me in Bulgaria for £425 plus P&P. This is fitted and running like a dream.I had intended to post this 6 weeks ago but have been in hospital having been struck blind for 3 weeks (mini stroke) now fully recovered. I have no connection to the above company other than being a very satisfied customer, mods if you deem this inappropriate please remove or put in the correct place in the forum.

[the silver surfer]

Thanks for the feedback for that supplier, I did come across them whilst researching suppliers.

To be honest I have a different opinion when it comes to major components of an engine, whilst I'm more than happy to shop around for the best price for the right piece on smaller parts needed, I'm a bit sceptical about 'bargain hunting' for major organs, for want of a better description!

I'll definitely take your advice about replacing other units around the head. I wasn't going to do the water pump but will now and may as well even do a cam belt kit whilst it's in surgery.