Blown head gasket

So this happened the other day while returning from a drive in the woods. I was able to get her home and have since replaced the thermostat and radiator. I've added some head gasket repair to the coolant in hopes of a temp seal. Thing is, whenever I attempt to run the heater to get the coolant to flow, the air never gets hot. Saying this, could my water pump be bad? I just replaced it a few thousand miles ago.

 

We saw your picture about a week ago. Good advice was given then.
No one on here would recommend using stop-leak, ever.

There are some tests you can perform to check for HG issues, that's the next logical step for assurance. Could be an air bubble since replacing the radiator. I use one of the burping funnels when doing a coolant change, a ~20 buck buy from Amazon. Screws on to the rad, easy peasy.

 

Probably plugged your heater core. Most people who use miricle in a can dont read the directions (or cant). If you put it in cold it is a guarantee to plug up the first thing it passes. Meaning blocking radiator passages and heater cores. The old timer egg whites in the hot circulating cooling system works 100 times better as a temp hg hold over.

 

The heater core is sort of the "high point" in the cooling system. If the coolant level is less than full, the first place to lose its supply of hot coolant is the heater core.

A lot of customers that bring their vehicles in complaining about poor heater performance we end up finding a low coolant level and a leak somewhere. They notice the drop in heater performance before they notice anything else.. like overheating, etc..

Also, if you have a blown headgasket there's too much pressure (more than normal) in the cooling system. That alone can inhibit the normal flow of coolant to the dashboard and back..

 

Yeah, gonna pull out the heads and I'll be looking at ALL major components. Basically gonna be an engine rebuild.

 

Am I missing something? Broken radiator hose barb = head gasket is bad?

 

Yeah, the escaping gases must've blown out the radiator connection. It's odd, because there were no symptoms of a blown head gasket.

 

I recall reading from the toyota techs who post here that on these engines, when the head gasket leaks, they leak externally. So testing the coolant for exhaust gases, you’ll get a pass.

 

Anyone replace head gaskets in 2006 4.0? I'm having issues finding a mechanic willing to take it on. I'm also entertaining replacing entire engine with used. Found one on ebay with low miles. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1162576638...uid=CLhaidPgQhK&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

I had mine replace about 2 years ago at the local dealer, was big bucks but has been good ever since. (Buy once cry once is my moto)
If your engine is good and not having any other issues I would get them replaced. If you buy a used 2005-2010 engine you will be in the same boat due to the gaskets leaking at 80-200k.
If you overheated the engine go with another used engine(4.0 engine does not like to be overheated.)

 

Racer, what did you spend on that repair? I got mechanics quoting me $11k for reman engine! Does come with unlimited mile warranty, but DAMN!

Looking for options.
Anyone ever pull an engine, replace one on their own? I got time.

 

Im not sure if I missed a post or a thread, but unless your burning coolant head gaskets are fine, this thread reads like your changing an engine before diagnosing properly, if you have no heat from the heater core, a head gasket is NOT the first thing to blame

 

yep, i usually can not fix the parts when they bring me shit like this.

most people DO NOT use coolant stop leak properly...

Getting that shit out of the cooling system when not used properly is a fking mess.
And if it is sodium silicate, not properly used then an unintended part of the cooling system could be PERMANENTLY plugged up...

if the directions are followed perfectly and in a CLEAN cooling system, the the stop leak does have a chance to work.

some products need to be pre mixed in COLD coolant, some added directly to COLD system, some need to be added to HOT system, blablabla. read the damn directions and understand how the product works.

sorry, I'm just venting.

 

@FishaRnekEd, I hear ya.

Backstory is;
1. Coolant return broke off at radiator
2. Replaced radiator and fully drained off oil (a little milky) & coolant
3. Replaced oil and added water plus stop leak
4. Tested flow, little to no coolant flow and bubbles present in overflow
5. Checked oil (very milky), suspect blown head gaskets

 

oof, you do have a 2006. head gasket was definitely an issue with 05 to early 06

 

6.5k the dealer charged me for the repair and a few misc parts like the water pump, spark plugs and such. This was 2.5 years ago when I didn't really have a choice in the matter(dealers were charging 10k plus mark-up for new vehicles and the whole inventory shortage deal). Mine worked out because I knew it never overheated and I was pretty confident that the heads and block were fine; the heads were checked out and had a valve adjustment though.

 

Then there the old timers trick to put egg whites in a hot leaky coolant system.

 

The issue, of course, is that no one is 100% sure that the issue is the head gasket. Your mechanic that is quoting a reman engine doesn't know either, but he does know that a reman engine will fix the problem...so he's making sure going in that you are prepared.

If it was me I would talk to that mechanic and ask him if they can (instead) pull the engine and check the head gaskets. If it is the head gaskets, replace both and reinstall. If it is something more serious than tell him you are OK with going the full monty for the new engine.

OR I would pull it myself, take the heads off myself, and check the head gaskets myself. If this is something that you've wanted to learn how to do, AND you are not on a particular timetable to get your truck running again, you'll never have a better opportunity to potentially save yourself about $10,000 and learn how to do it.

I was about 40 the first time I pulled an engine (out of an old mustang), since then I've pulled many. You need good hand tools, an engine hoist, and an engine stand to transfer it to after you get it pulled. With Google and YouTube, and this board, you should be able to get this done yourself if you have the time and the will.

 

@HoosierBuddy Dude, I think you've convinced me to take it on myself! I don't have a timetable and I love to learn. I'll keep posting my progress. The truck has sentimental value and I've already put so much into it.

Thanks bro!!!

 

That's not a head gasket, that's a radiator hose. Head gaskets are inside of the engine (the big metal thing in the middle).