PennSilverTaco's "Perfect 5-Lug Regular Cab" Build, Aspergers, and General BS MegaThread!

Head gasket would be more likely especially since you are losing oil every 3500 assuming there aren’t any visible leaks.

Can you get a leak down test done on the coolant system?

 

No visible leaks; How common is it for head gaskets to fail?

 

On the 2.7, not sure I’ve heard of all that many. 4.0 not many either. Unfortunately, I was one of the rare ones that did have one at 85k on my 4.0, but thankfully it was covered by the warranty of the dealer I purchased it from

 

Yeah, I’ve owned the truck since new and I’m way out of warranty…

 

A qt. every 3500 miles would make me think, it’s time to part ways and move on.

 

Can’t afford a new truck, and I’m 99% sure it’s the head gasket…

 

Confirm 100% that is a failed Head Gasket. If is its a head gasket... the good news is, it does not sound like your engine has been damaged yet. I would swap in a new OEM head gasket and call it good. labor for a head gasket job should be reasonable with it being a 2.7 engine. After new engine is in, be sure to flush out the old coolant/oil mix. That oil/coolant mix will make your coolant hoses swell up and leak.

 

Head gasket.

 

i wanna know more about who and or how, you where suggested transmission fluid...

because thats fascinating honestly

 

Tranny fluid from cooler leak on vehicles with a cooler in the radiator tank.

 

That was my mechanic when I was talking to him on the phone, before he actually saw the coolant reservoir; He said something about the transmission cooler leaking into the coolant, but upon seeing the truck later on he determined that was not the case.

 

Best option would be to change the head gasket. No water in your oil hey?

 

None; It's the exact opposite. The oil is mixing with the coolant, which is why my engine isn't totally screwed...

 

This is the setup my truck has...

 

Yeah thats good haha. So it'll be leaking in where the oil pressure is greater than the coolant pressure. Haven't had any issues like this for myself but I've had it happen to friends and the head gasket was the issue. Like JEEPNIK noted that could be another spot where it could happen, not sure where else in these engine the coolant and lube oil come in close proximity.

Are you going to be changing the gasket yourself?

 

Yeah looks like the head gasket. I have had two fail on me but thats because i ran my 2.7 boosted without ARP head studs. That has been remedied now though, and i did the repair myself. I would say change it out and keep on trucking. That is low miles for a 2TR-FE. Also when mine went i didnt have coolant in the oil, but rather the cooling system was being pressurized and forcing the coolant out of the rad and into the overflow

 

I love my truck, but the head gasket shit the bed at 134K miles and it's not going to be a cheap fix; If I did decide to go through with this, I would still get my truck fixed before selling it. The biggest thing here is that I'd love to have a truck with 4WD...

The truck in question belongs to a good friend of mine and I've been offered a very good price (not gonna say here); It is a red 2004 Access Cab TRD Off-Road 3.4L/5-speed 4x4, fully loaded, with almost 150K miles. The truck runs and drives great, and the A/C blows ICE COLD, and the frame was replaced. The title is clean and there is nothing wrong with the truck beyond normal wear.

I can drive a stick shift, but one of my worries is that I will get tired of working a clutch pedal in suburban traffic; My biggest worry is about the truck's history prior to my friend acquiring it roughly a year and a half ago (I think she's put about 10K on it in that time). If I bought this truck, my plan would be to sell my current truck first so I can pay cash and have money left over. My only plans for modifications for the time being would be to upgrade the stereo system and add a backup camera (the truck currently has an aftermarket JVC HU with CD and USB, and what I believe to be the stock speakers).

 

I can install a stereo, I can install lights, I can change the oil, and I can do rudimentary maintenance, but some things are better left to an experienced mechanic...

 

It is a 2TR-FE a simple head gasket replacement. Get it done by a professional and call it a day. Nowhere near as screwed up as a 1GR-FE.

 

Funny you should mention that because on Sunday I was talking to a guy at a car show who used to own a 2006 with the 1GR-FE; He said he sold the truck because it started severely burning oil at 130K, with puffs of blue smoke out the tailpipe and everything!