Gasket issues in the new models?

Howdy!

I own a 2012 Tacoma and recently replaced my spark plugs and noticed oil on my spark plugs.. As yall may know this is a fairly common issue in these tacoma's from what I am told. Tacoma is my favorite vehicle, but I dont see fixing the head gasket as a long term fix, from what my experienced mechanic (not a dealership mechanic, but instead a friend who builds race cars) tells me.

So I have run into a conondrum. To buy a newer Tacoma Offroad edition, (2017-2018) and hope it doesnt have the same issue, or go another route (Tundra, Colorado, Ford, etc.). I hate to give up my tacoma, but It just seems that Im gonna have too.

So my question is, do the newer tacoma's have this same issue?

Kind Regards,

Connor

 

I've heard NO issues with the Ridgeline's gaskets.

Fix it and enjoy the Taco for at least 10 more yrs...

 

I haven't seen any posts about that here, but there have been a few posts about leaking cam seals (not a hard fix compared to head gaskets and the ones that I saw were done under warranty) and white smoke on very steep inclines (no real fix yet).

That said, I'd be hard to make payments, or lay out a lot of cash, if a couple head gaskets will get you a very long way down the road.

 

Yeah, It's kinda hard to lay out the cash, though I think I may just get a new truck that is under warranty and is 4x4 offroad edition with (hopefully) the JBL speakers. I just dont want to run into the same issue down the road, as there was a nice amount of oil around the spark plugs.

 

That's the boat that I was in but coming from the least reliable vehicle that is sold today (Ural GearUp sidecar motorcycle). I rebuilt the motor, split open the gear box twice, and rebuilt the final drive with just over 20,000mi on it in four years. It should have had another 10k or so, but it was broke all the time.

IMHO, the 3.5l is a very good motor judging from my 9,000mi with it and what folks are reporting that have over 50k on theirs including oil analyses.

If you can do it, get the MT. It gives better, shorter final gearing and allows you to keep the motor where you want it. Low RPMs for cruising, including hills, and up top for power when you want it.

 

What do you mean by MT exactly??

 

Sorry. Manual transmission.

 

Oil around the spark plugs is NOT a head gasket failure. Rather, it is the valve cover gasket(s), which seal the valve cover to the head both around the outside and around the three spark plug tubes on each side. They are cheap, and easily replaced.

 

New engine for Taco. No issues for me