How does this frame look?

Oh Lord, after researching it some more its possible I just bought a truck with a blown head gasket. When I test drove it, there was no over heating, it seemed to run fine, just a little sluggish. Now im thinking its probably a blown gasket based on that smoke coming out of the exhaust on start up and a sweetish smell up by the drivers side when first running the truck. I think I may have made a huge mistake.

 

Did it misfire when you started it up?

 

I dont recall a misfire. I drove it home about 30 mins after i bought it, no problems. Starting up feels fine. Not noticing any knocking. it seems to idle high at first like 1100 RPM's then drops to around 900ish. Not noticing any overheating yet... but then again its only mid 50s here in Maryland

 

honestly if you have to put some money or sweat equity into the truck you will still make out in the end. better than spending 15k for the same truck and then a year down the line run into the same issues

 

If its not low on coolant and doesnt misfire on a cold start up, it probably doesn't have a blown head gasket. All your seeing is condensation blowing out of the tail pipe.

 

when I get home tonight I will do another cold start and pay real close attention to it. I will also check the coolant levels, add some, and take a picture to monitor if there is a slow leak. If its not a blown head gasket, what could that sweet burning smell be?

 

check up front, could be a weeping water pump. was there a record of the timing belt/WP being replaced? Mine started leaking around 75k so I did the WP/Belt around 88k (not a big leak)

 

i will take some pictures of it tonight as well and upload them here. I appreciate the help

 

Yes; I've had my truck since it was new and it does that...

 

crossing my fingers its not a blown head gasket then. Maybe im just being paranoid and expecting the worst! Ive never bought a used car this old (other than my 67 vw beetle that was a rolling shell and didn't run). My other 2001 4 banger manual tacoma doesn't appear to have that smoke and smell on start up.

 

My 2022 Tacoma, when temps are around what you stated has all kinds of white steam/smoke (whatever you want to call it) coming out of the tailpipe. You can take off the radiator cap and start the truck, see any bubbles?

 

I think you made a damn good deal.....
......your waaaay over thinking it.....
bad bad head gasket would be continuous white smoke, steady loss of coolant,
in advance stages - hard hot restarts......
Dont think your any where close to those....think your just seeing to cat heat up...

When u first buy any taco any size, watch the coolant level and temp gauge like a hawk....
If its really bad there will be bubbles with rad cap off....

Worst scenario... baby it until u decide what to do....
if it was mine....I'd fix it and stay married.....new fluids and even new radiator maybe....

If you decide to get rid....you will no problem selling this day and age.....

However 2.7 with 4 door is gonna be slugish....any moderate towing would be stressful.....

 

worst scenario......
if you did a head gasket and stuck on a new $700 head .....
taken care of...... were talkin a half million mile vehicle going forward....

These are fairly easy to work.....just got to find good import mech....
or learn how to from these guys and utub......

If it was mine....I'd get rid of the red coolant.......and use reg green/yellow....
but change every couple years......

2.7's have head gasket weakness......
just a fact..........2.4's prob do too.....just a ton more 2.7's out there tho......

So if you own either....super maintain the cooling system....
check that fan clutch often......new oem thermostat every 5yr....

 

Im pretty sure the one I just bought is a 3.4

 

Steering rack same thing......
so people think the hoses and fluids last a hundred years.....
couldnt be more wrong.........

 

The v6 dont have the bad head gasket problems......my bad
again on any new taco ..... watch everything coolant related...

 

I'll do my best to note everything you guys have said and when I start it up at home in a few hours take pictures, some videos etc. My only experience working on cars is with my 1967 VW beetle and lets just say that is quite different than modern fuel injected computer chipped cars. So I'll admit I am a rookie

 

Damn 7k for a v6 4x4 with rear lockers with that low of a mileage is a steal.

 

Haha yeah id have grabbed it and I’ve no room for another truck. Its a problem

 

They exist