HELP need advice on leaking exhaust valves

This morning while addressing an exhaust leak I noticed that one of the paper towels I had stuffed into the #2 cylinder exhaust port was totally wet with coolant.

upon further inspection 3 of the exhaust valves are leaking coolant. I’m not an expert by any means but this has to be either a cracked head or blown head gasket, right?

what confuses me is that all of my fluids look clean, there’s been no overheating, misfiring, loss of power other than a hard start after letting it sit for a day or two and a minute or two of smoke that I thought smelled more like gas (I guess both could be true in my case)

I guess I want to know where to go from here. This engine has 250k miles and isn’t exactly in the best shape before I found this. I’m probably capable of changing the gasket if I did my research but if it’s a cracked head would it even be worth the hassle?

I love this truck so I’m going to keep it regardless but wondering if engine swap or rebuilding is the way to go.

 

This is the coolant burning off that dribbles into the cylinder when the truck sits. It "chokes" on the liquid coolant for a bit and then the engine smooths out. Very common sign of a headgasket leak unfortunately.

That coupled with the (obvious) coolant coming out of the exhaust port and it looks like you have a blown headgasket or cracked head

If/when you take it apart, check the cylinder head really good for cracks, especially between the valve seats. If you see a crack then you'll have to buy a rebuilt head. If you don't see any cracks at least send the head to a machine shop so they can clean them up and do a inspection and pressure test.

 

Thanks for the quick response. I need to do some thinking on what makes the most sense here. Like I said I think I’m probably capable of replacing a head gasket but I’m trying to weigh if it’s even worth the effort for this specific engine. I guess it’s possible the head isn’t cracked since it never was overheating but I won’t be entirely sure until I open it up I guess

 

If you are capable of doing the work yourself I think it is worth the effort, if you have to pay someone else then a complete evaluation of the truck is in order. Too many times I have seen where money is the object and the less expensive route was chosen and 9 months after a sucessful repair, the transmission takes a dump. Then you have a very uncomfortable conversation with yourself and/or your mechanic.

 

I’m willing to spend money if I feel like it’s the better choice. Although a head gasket would definitely be the biggest job I’ve done so far I think I’d probably be able to do it.

the truck has no frame rust and I just finished updating the entire front and rear suspension, new interior too. With the head gasket job I guess I’d really only be losing a ton of time and I question the longevity of this engine even upon successfully changing the gasket.

 

In the mean time look for a replacment head, just in case. The 4 cylinder tacomas have a tendency to crack/leak in the 250k mile range. Some people dont have this issue and others do. It isnt a lack of maintenance thing it is just a thing.

 

Yeah I’ve heard people say that…

before I do research does anyone have any reputable brands they would recommend for a new head?

 

If you do go down the head replacement... This video series is the best on Youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/voLBRDZL9fE?si=DnL622HVQ4IR8pH6

 

back-up....
are you 100% certain its coolant?
Can you post a pic of the paper towel stain....

If in fact it is coolant coming out the exhaust valve seat area when the exh valve is open & into the exhaust...
You can verify that by boroscoping the cylinder & verifying that in fact theres coolant on top of the piston.
Not sure how coolant would get pushed out of the combustion chamber with the engine off & paper towel sitting in the port....
All im seeing from the pic you posted is possible oil leaking from valve stem guides....

You need to dig further & Im not seeing the smoking gun from the pic you posted that equates to 100% coolant....

Pressure test the cooling system overnight.
Remove sparkplugs for the cylinders with the wet holes & send a horoscope down there & verify coolant. Thats the correct way vs rolling the dice on maybe this maybe that.

 

This is the paper towel, although I think it’s probably dried out a bit now. When I squeezed it a few drops came out that appeared red but I’m actually color blind so I’m not entirely sure.

I touched my tongue to the paper towel and it had that very distinct bitterness. I understand what you’re saying about the oil but if it were oil I feel like the paper towel would feel totally different and would have stuck to my hand, just felt like water to me

 

looks pink....
Think that confirms your diagnosis...
Thats alot of coolant...

 

So I think I’m going to attempt to fix the gasket myself

On a side note, if this engine doesn’t overheat at all (I drove it 12 hours last weekend and it didn’t even get to the mid point on the temp gauge) do you think it’s ok to drive while I buy parts / get myself prepared? Or will I cause more damage?

 

Here’s what the spark plugs looked like in order from 1-4. I didn’t boroscope the cylinder but I shined a light in there and it seems like the #2 cylinder is the major offender.

all of the pistons have that typical carbon build up including the one with a coolant leak. It just reflects back a little light from the moisture in there.

I’m hoping the carbon buildup on 2 as opposed to the “steam cleaned” look some people experience means that this is a relatively new occurrence.