4.0 Tacoma P0600, P0400 codes & Coolant Problem

I’ve got a 2005 Tacoma 4.0 with just over 147k miles on it. Lit up the check engine light. P0400 and P0600. The coolant bubbles at the neck of the radiator without the cap. the spark plugs are dry. No rough idling. No overheating. Nothing visible besides the coolant bubbling in the reservoir and at the neck of the radiator. Bought the combustion leak detector but I wasn’t able test it very well since the coolant rises up too much so it just gets inside the tester. I’ve been reading around and it seems like I have a blown head gasket. Does anyone have any other ideas ? And if it is, is it better to replace the head gasket or buy another motor since the prices would be similar? Has anyone done it at home ?

 

Are you doing the work yourself? Do you have access to a shop and tools? How long are you keeping the truck?

2005 shipped defective.

If it we're any other year besides 2005 or 2006, i would consider repairing it. But I'll give you a run down at what your looking at....

Changing head gaskets....
Doing all the work yourself, full master gasket kit and all Nick Nack stuff included your looking at about $900 if you don't have to start buying tools and 20 hrs or so time. But you still end up with a 2005 1gr-fe that's been subjected to excess heat and unless you tear it completely down you have no idea of the total condition of the engine.

Swapping new engine...
search and find someone selling an engine from a 2007-2010 Tacoma or FJ, (preferable a 2007-2009 FJ with VIN starting with J) that is under 100,000 miles and knows the history of the engine. Pull, the valve covers and look for sludge or build, pull the upper oil pan and look for metal shavings, etc. Look at the cylinders from underneath for scarring or red streaks on the cylinder walls. If it checks out, buy it. Should be about no more than $2200. You will need pretty basic tools, an engine host/shop crane, alot of boxes and zip lock bags, 20 or so hours of time and fluids etc. So budget another few hundred for that.

In both cases I HIGHLY SUGGEST, also replacing all hoses and radiator so budget a few hundred for that.

That being said, if it were me, I'd buy the Barr's head gasket sealer, not the cheap one, the one that's like $40. Follow the directions to the letter. That will buy you about 10,000 miles. In the mean time, find a good replacement engine and get all your tools and plans in order and get ready for the day the bubbles come back, then replace the engine, hoses, radiator.

I've done every one of the items mentioned above on Tacoma's.

Just my $0.02 worth, good luck bro if you need any help along the way just ask there are plenty of super knowledgeable folks here on Tacomaworld

 

October 2018, I had a local shop rebuild mine with 249,845mi (no way I could have done it myself unless I had a mechanic pointing, at what to do next?) for $2765.23 (including the $679.72 in parts) out the door, (looking at the receipt now).
263,153mi on it today.
the only downside would be that it is running I little hotter, 190* according to the scangauge where it used to be steady at 184*

its one of those choices where you have to weigh your options...