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Easy way to check if head gasket has been replaced?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by mistercow, Jan 23, 2025.

  1. Jan 23, 2025 at 12:41 PM
    #1
    mistercow

    mistercow [OP] Member

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    I'm looking at buying a 2005, 4L V6, 4WD, Double Cab, Long Box, manual transmission (it's a unicorn I know) and am really keen on it but I know there are head gasket issues with 05s made before November (this one was made in May).

    I was wondering if there's an easy way to know if the head gasket has been replaced? I have the carfax but there's no info on it there. It's at 311k kilometers (~195k miles) so if it hasn't been done it's probably something I would need to do soon.

    Thanks!
     
  2. Jan 23, 2025 at 1:54 PM
    #2
    Jimmyh

    Jimmyh Well-Known Member

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    I would get under it and look around the junction between the head and the block for evidence of the head being removed, also around the timing cover which has to be removed.
     
    mistercow[OP] and TnShooter like this.
  3. Jan 23, 2025 at 1:56 PM
    #3
    velogeek

    velogeek Well-Known Member

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    Yeah RTV around the timing cover is a good indicator someone has been in it for something... can pull the valve cover and check the head bolts for wear as well.
     
  4. Jan 23, 2025 at 2:29 PM
    #4
    TacoTuesday1

    TacoTuesday1 Well-Known Member

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    Carfax is worthless.

    I’d be assuming it hasn’t been done or asking the owner for proof.

    it’s important and costly enough that if they did it they would have proof.
     
  5. Jan 23, 2025 at 2:32 PM
    #5
    IvanhoeTaco

    IvanhoeTaco Well-Known Member

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    Total Chaos 3.5 LT, King Coilovers, 35x11.5r17 on Falcon T2, ADV 4 inch fiberglass, 4.88 gears, FJ cruiser transfer case, 4 runner front diff, Cab mount relocate, archive hangers, shackles, king 2.5x14 rear shocks, icon rxt leaf springs, king hydro bumps
    Unless there are obvious pry marks on timing cover or heads/block (which would be bad in it's own right) there is no way to tell. Normal grime and dirt settles in quickly.

    If the heads were at machine shop during head gasket replacement (best case scenario) they might be a shade cleaner or brighter than the block.
     
  6. Jan 23, 2025 at 3:08 PM
    #6
    Steelhead Bum

    Steelhead Bum Well-Known Member

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    They have issues with motor mounts too so check that while you are at it.

    Also it’s a unicorn because it’s not factory. Toyota never offered a DCLB MT from the factory. That’s a custom job.
    You may already know this.

    Incase anyone’s curious.

    https://www.auto-brochures.com/makes/Toyota/Tacoma/Toyota_US Tacoma_4x4_2005.pdf
     
  7. Jan 24, 2025 at 7:47 AM
    #7
    taco912

    taco912 Well-Known Member

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    At 195K any 2 gen could have head gasket issues. Look for other differed maintenance and rust.
     
    kidthatsirish likes this.
  8. Jan 24, 2025 at 7:52 AM
    #8
    slater

    slater Well-Known Member

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    Ask the seller & if it was done, hands down he would have a receipt or able to direct to the shop that did it.....
    Anything else would be rolling the dice, unless it was done very recent, which goes back to ask the seller....
     
  9. Jan 24, 2025 at 8:04 AM
    #9
    kidthatsirish

    kidthatsirish Well-Known Member

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    At 195k it's either good to go or it has already been replaced.
     
  10. Jan 24, 2025 at 1:12 PM
    #10
    mistercow

    mistercow [OP] Member

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    Roger that, thank you!
     
  11. Jan 24, 2025 at 1:13 PM
    #11
    mistercow

    mistercow [OP] Member

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    Ok great, thank you. Unfortunately I'm buying from a dealership and they don't have that info, i'm gonna try and dig more and see what I can find out
     
  12. Jan 24, 2025 at 2:29 PM
    #12
    slater

    slater Well-Known Member

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    they may be able to provide you with repair order history, at least from that store, customer pay & warranty, esp, etc, for everything that was done there....
    Get the VIN#, go see a service writer, or service dept manager, explain the situation to him....

    Make him aware, your not looking for personal information, just want to know what was done here at the dealer, maint, minor or major repairs, have you seen if head gaskets have been done, etc....

    Maybe it had an ESP & it was done early-on...
    it would most likely be in their "repair order history"
     
    mistercow[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  13. Jan 24, 2025 at 3:48 PM
    #13
    mistercow

    mistercow [OP] Member

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    Gotcha, thanks for the info! I should have been more specific, it's not a Toyota dealership, it's a used car dealership so I don't think they would have that information. Is it still possible to find it somewhere? I asked the sales rep I'm communicating with about it and he said they don't know the previous owner of the vehicle so it's not as easy as asking them directly
     
  14. Jan 24, 2025 at 3:51 PM
    #14
    slater

    slater Well-Known Member

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    still, wouldn't hurt....
    get the vin & go to the closest toyota dealer to that used car lot....
    the previous owner may live in the area & did all his work there, or does it have a dealer plate frame on it???
    would be worth sending some emails out & or, calling the nearby dealer with the vin & ask what I suggested....

    never know if you dont put in the work...
     
  15. Jan 24, 2025 at 3:53 PM
    #15
    mistercow

    mistercow [OP] Member

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    That's a great idea atually, thanks for the advice!
     
  16. Jan 24, 2025 at 3:57 PM
    #16
    slater

    slater Well-Known Member

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    Been in the industry for over 30 years, seen it all, done it all...
    You approach the right person, the right way, they will be more than willing to check....
    Have them check for open recalls too, but im guessing they may not be able to sell if there were any, due to being a used car lot...
    They also have rules they must follow, even though theyre snakes...
     
  17. Jan 24, 2025 at 4:04 PM
    #17
    Barsoom

    Barsoom Well-Known Member

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    Get the VIN. Go to Toyota website and register as the owner of this truck. All of Toyota done maitenance will show up.
    PS It works. I did with my wfe's car after we got married. Car was in her name, I created the account and had all the info I needed to take over maintaning her car.
     
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  18. Jan 24, 2025 at 4:12 PM
    #18
    Barsoom

    Barsoom Well-Known Member

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    PPS that also works to show the originally shipped vehicle configuration. You used to be able to get a PDF copy of the window sticker too, but Toyota disabled that feature a year+ ago.
     

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