2005 toyota tacoma head gasket problem

I understand your complaint, I had the same complaint when a mechanic at my dealer told me that Toyota knows about the problem with the 2005 and 2006's. But what he recommended was save my receipt from getting it fixed and "IF" they ever do a recall they will reimburse for the work I had done. But the "IF" is doubtful. And I wasn't going to let my truck sit waiting. So I had it fixed and I am glad I did.

 

So bishop84 you trying to say all Tacoma’s need around 120k miles a head gasket change as routine maintenance? Should be a dealer recall if it’s a design problem

 

How did you catch yours early?

 

160k miles is early?

 

I was lucky enough to pull over to stretch my legs coming home from an over night fishing trip. The truck wasn't over heating but when I shut the truck off it over flowed coolant from the over flow bottle and left white crusty material when it dried. I went to the mechanic that did the work and he said that sounds like a head gasket, But I went to the dealer to see what they said and they really weren't sure. So I went back to the mechanic that did the work and we looked in the radiator for bubbles and he was right. So it went in two days later. So dry white crusty material around the radiator cap, Over flow bottle cap are good signs But the sure sign is the bubbles in the radiator when the truck is running.

 

Mine went somewhere around 137,000 if I remember correctly.

 

What’s my complaint it’s my first Toyota and I’m disappointed, I thought Toyota last longer before this big investment

 

We picked the Lucky years for the problem. But think of it this way, If you decide to get it fixed, Hopefully it will turn out good like mine and you will have a good one and that will be you're only issue and it will run forever will the normal maintenance.

 

I heard the after the head gasket issues is the transmission, it’s that true? Again we are talking trucks with 130/169 miles!!!!

 

I've read in the past that the problem was caused by temperature differences between the cast iron block and the aluminum head causing the gasket to tear. They allegedly replaced the material sometime in 2006. I'm hoping mine made the cut.

 

The guy at her work is probably minorly versed in vehicle problems. A common head gasket failure is when coolant gets into your oil. But head gaskets fail in different ways depending on the flaw in the design. This one appears to leak compression into the cooling system like the diesels I work on.

And I understand your frustration OP, but Toyota put a warranty on that vehicle for a certain time and mileage. You've exceeded those parameters by a good margin. I'm sorry for your unfortunate circumstance, but Toyota isn't liable for this anymore and shouldn't be expected to foot the bill. It's your truck. If your lawn mower has a 3 year warranty and the engine goes after 5 years, would you call that company and expect them to fix it? If your household appliance (dishwasher, drier, washing machine, or refrigerator) has a 2 year warranty and stops working after 2 and a half years, all those companies will tell you you the same thing. Not their problem. It made it out of warranty. It will be X dollars to fix it.

At this point you need to evaluate your options. Do what a lot of people are suggesting and replace the engine with a low mileage used one (but expect the head gaskets to go around 150k) or perform the repair that Toyota is recommending. I'd ask if there are updates parts that prevent the head gaskets from blowing again (like a differently designed head gasket) or if ARP studs might help (they do in diesel world).

I'm a bigger fan of dealerships than independents. It's a familiarity thing. A tech at a dealer sees the same engines over and over and (if hes like me) has all the bolt sizes and locations, how the wiring runs, and everything else committed to memory. An independent shop works on all makes and models and is much less likely to have that information memorized. I'm not saying an independent shop will do bad work, but I'm saying I trust a dealer a little more. And if you're not happy with the work, there's more you can do at the dealer (talk to management and corperate) if you dont like the service you got. An independent can tell you to go pound sand and if BAR sides with them, you're SOL.

Bottom line: engine or head gaskets? Dealer or independent? Up to you, it's your money and your truck.

 

I am just shy of 200,000 miles on my 2005 without and transmission issues. I started changing fluids early by doing a Pan Drop NOT!!!! A FLUSH!!!!! I have had past issues when I have had a flush done with two other trucks and will never have another one done. Yes they had a lot of miles but will never have another flush done either way.

 

I'm not a fan of "flushes." Drop pan. Change filter and gasket. Reinstall pan. Fill with fluid.



But I'm missing what this has to do with the OP.

 

I’m thinking to swap for a low mileage engine, what do y’all think?

 

Go back to post #29 LOL.

 

I'd sell it and do not mention the head gasket problem !!!

 

That’s messed up dude

 

I thought about doing that with mine, But I didn't want to start the payment process all over again. The other side of that is. When they did mine, I had them replace my water pump and of course it had all new gaskets when it was put back together so if anything was getting ready to start leaking that was caught. Plus I was able to see my motor in pieces and everything looked great with 137,000 miles on it.

 

It if I get one with 90k miles newer model? I heard this problem affected 05, 06 models only

 

That is correct.