WTF Moment at the dealership 2013 4x4 SR5

Okay guys I need help and clarification. I’m up here in Canada and just did my run of the mill servicing. The dealership gave me a report saying that my head gasket is “Starting to leak coolant” and “Both front Lower ball joints have play” highlighted in blue and yellow respectively... they said that these require “Immediate attention”.

I’ve noticed no changes, odours or anything that would cause suspicion.

With that being said I have a few questions:

1: Is this Common?
2: Suggestions of what to do next?
3: I am curious about how this was diagnosed... they couldn’t give me any specifics as far as a quantifiable measurement.
4: What now?

I’m suspicious of my dealership and in the past they have been accused of shady things in the past and shoddy work.

Does anyone have any input?

 

How many miles are on your truck? Some 05 & 06 Tacoma's with the 4.0 had head gasket problems but not a normal problem on the 07 and above. I would be suspicious of that. Take a look and see if you can see any leaking between the block and head. Also keep an eye on your coolant. If it starts disappearing you might have some cause for concern. Also if you have the extended 7yr warranty and the head gasket was going that would be covered so all you would have to pay is the deductible. If you do have it I would tell them to do it just to be an ass. And tell them you want pictures of the head off the truck!

For the ball joints just jack it up, grab the tire at the 12 and 6 o'clock position. If you have movement that is legit, if not it is BS.

Just noticed you have about 100k on the truck. The ball joints could be bad but again I would check them. I suspect the head gasket is BS.

 

Just because the coolant reservoir is low doesn't mean the head gasket is blown. It will evaporate. Check the ball joints by jacking up the front high enough to slip a bar under the tire and then see if there is play in the ball joint.

 

Thanks for the reply! I’m at 152,000 km currently and I’ll be watching this issue like a hawk. The dealership provided nothing beyond the paper and that “I should get it looked at ASAP”.

I don’t have the 7 year warranty... I figured “It’s a Toyota... what can go wrong” when I purchased it... FML

 

No worries. I doubt you have a head gasket problem. Keep an eye on it or take it to a independent shop and ask them to go over it and inspect the vehicle. See if they come back with it.

 

Next Time I roll through NV I’ll try to swing by and say hi to you guys... you seem to have your poop in a group and I appreciate the straightforward feedback!

 

Hell yeah brother. Swing by anytime! Best of luck.

 

Take it to a reputable 3rd party for a second and third opinion, but don't let them in on what you're looking for. If one or both mention it, you've got some concern or may get ideas. But the dealership asking almost $5500 for the work, that's enough to be suspicious of right there. My wife and I were scammed by a supposedly reputable VW expert in San Diego County and we should have know better to get additional opinions. Such is life though.

 

2 tests that should have been done to check if there is a leak in the head gasket is a leak down and pressure test. After they figure out which cylinder is suspect they could use an endoscope through the spark plug hole to see if any coolant has contaminated the cylinder after the leak down test. Currently going through this with my 2005, 129,000 miles. Also had to replace my lower control arms this past November but did that myself.

 

Man you guys are an awesome resource... if you guys ever find yourselves up in Canuckistan by the Rockies give me a shout. Lots of Taco adventures to be had!

 

No plans as of now, but I would love to get up there. I'm jealous.

 

.........Yall ain't right

 

If you're losing coolant, and it's very slow, try a new radiator cap.
Ball joints, you can change them your self. It's not too bad a job, if they bolt on like they do on my 2014.

 

I would shake down the front end to check for the bad ball joints. As for the head gasket leak, I would take it to another shop and have them perform a pressure test, a block test, cylinder leak down test, as well as a bore scope. I highly doubt you have a head gasket leak.

 

Have them check the flex pipe bearing while they’re at it

 

Id be more inclined to say your water pump starting to go causing loss of coolant than your head gasket.

 

I'd suggest asking in the Canada forum to get a recommendation on a shop in your city.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/canada.44/

 

Slow coolant leak doesn't necessarily mean it's a head gasket issue. The water pumps on these engines are known for leaking around 100k miles. I've owned two vehicle with the 1GR-FE and both waterpumps went out around 90-95k mi.

 

Where abouts in Alberta are you? (guessing by your screen name) The dealer around here has been pretty good to me.