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

YOLO Charlie.

Hell, if you dont want it im right over the bridge.

 

Could I put a regular PA plate on that and drive it daily?

 

Truck is off the table; My friend totaled her Subaru and the Taco is her only form of transportation…

 

More pictures…

 

Header tank? Also, it’s not a new truck…?

 

UPDATE: I got an opinion from a mechanic I know who used to be a Toyota master technician and now runs his own shop; He looked at my truck and does not believe the head gasket is bad.

He also told me he believes that a quart of oil being burned every 3,500 miles is normal for an older Tacoma with over 134K miles.

I am bringing my truck to my mechanic for a previously scheduled oil change as planned, and I am also getting the coolant flushed and replaced.

 

Interesting comment from the mechanic about oil consumption.

My 1GR-FE is at 113 kmiles with zero oil consumption between 5k changes. I've had many engines in my lifetime over 100 kmiles without oil consumption, specifically GM, Chrysler, Toyota.....8, 6 and 4 cylinder.

I say something isn't right. Some place where the coolant and "oil" are in close proximity there is a small pressure driven leak. Suspect the "oil" side has pressure above the 15 psi coolant system pressure.

Another thing to consider. Fuel will also float on coolant. Could the "oil" be fuel????

Think....where in the engine is pressure above 15 psi near the coolant system......

 

Think about it logically, Charlie. Where can oil and coolant, or ATF and coolant mix together, without obvious signs?

• Radiator (Trans cooler)
  • If it was the trans cooler, you'd have coolant mixing with ATF in your trans...and by now? You'd have been complaining of shifting issues.
• Oil cooler
  • To my recollection, the 2TR doesn't have an oil cooler.
• Head gasket
  • It could be the head gasket. Oil pressure is higher than cooling system pressures while running, and it's possible to have oil in the coolant and not the other way around. Seen it before.

I agree with the others though, for now just clean/flush it out and monitor it. May just be old grunge in the reservoir.



For what it's worth; 1qt consumed across 3500 miles is not terrible. Not great, but not terrible (probably time for valve stem seals). By comparison; Chrysler states that after 50k, 1qt every 750 miles is "acceptable".

 

If it is fuel that would explain the poor gas mileage, but why would fuel be getting into the coolant reservoir?

 

That is not normal.

 

That’s Chrysler for you! Also, my mechanic did a compression test maybe a year ago and it was fine; This sporadic oil usage has been going on since before COVID started…

 

I wouldn't use poor gas mileage as an indicator. IIRC, you have a bunch of add-ons that will impact gas mileage.

Think.......where is pressure higher than coolant system??????

Maybe Covid caused it. Has it had the shots?

 

And why is it so sporadic? It went this entire winter without using any oil; My truck runs great and there are no warning lights on, either…

 

Oil, obviously; It just makes little sense to me that a well-maintained truck would suddenly experience a head gasket failure…

Also, as I said before, my truck has been intermittently been using oil since late 2019.

 

Not sure if it's been said yet, but just because the frame was replaced, that doesn't mean it is somehow impervious to rust now.

It was replaced with the EXACT same frame. So unless the previous owner did some serious rust proofing to PREVENT it from happening again, you'll eventually be in the same boat.

As for driving a stick shift in urban traffic, you get used to it. I drive an auto now, and I won't deny that it's easier in heavy traffic, but I've driven my share of 5 speeds over the years, too. It's not THAT big of a deal.

I wouldn't let that be a deal breaker.

 

I think 1qt every 3500 miles is excessive. My 05 (pre-head gasket redesign) 1GR-FE has 230k miles, survived one overheat from a radiator incident, and doesn't consume any oil or coolant. I know its a slightly different engine than the 2TR, but think that it shouldn't consume oil like that

Also consider sending an oil and coolant sample to Blackstone Laboratories for an analysis. They can tell you about the condition of your fluids and figure out what the suspended liquid in your coolant really is. I'd send a sample of both coolant and oil if you really want to get to the bottom of it without guessing around at what the fluid looks like it could be

 

Bummer.

Fix your 5 lug and trade?

 

She won't let me trade because she thinks I'll regret it later, and she says she'd feel awful if she or one of her kids totaled it because I love it so much; Also, it looks like my 5-lug doesn't need a head gasket.

 

Also, two different mechanics told me I should do a coolant flush and change the oil then monitor it before I drop a ton of money getting the head gasket replaced; One of these mechanics is a former Volvo tech (my mechanic) and the other one is a Toyota master tech.

 

How does oil sludge get into the coolant reservoir though? That is what really concerns me!