'05/'06 Tacoma Head Gasket Failure Poll

Sounds good to me...my question then would be how do you know when they are going? I dont wamt to wait too long?

 

My head gasket went at 260k, and the Toyota-only independent mechanic who did the work recommended against a new timing chain. So far so good a year later.

 

If you have none of the following issues your timing chain is fine and shouldn’t be messed with, imo:
- engine misfiring or running poorly
- engine won’t start or fails
- rough idle
- power loss
- engine rattling at idle
- metal shavings in oil
- check engine light on...

 

Well looks like Im good. Thanks guys

 

I made it 316k miles before mine blew. I'm sitting in the shop right this moment for a confirmation and today I make the decision...do I just replace the gaskets or do I rebuild the entire motor ? Its going to come down to $$$.

 

Are you going private or toyota? And please post some price and info....

 

Definitely NOT Toyota. They want $8500 for a USED non rebuilt motor!!! Thieves!!!

 

~$3300. Included new belt, idler, throttle body clean, valve cover gaskets which were easy for the shop to do with engine out. I had just changed plugs so new plugs were not included.

So far this has added at least another year to my truck’s life. It’s been to Yosemite with 4 people + 2 motorcycles in the bed, towed a small trailer, and been used for short and long commutes with no issues or temperature swings. Glad I did it instead of shelling out $$$$ for a new truck. My truck is in otherwise great condition, now 276k miles.

$3300 / 12 months = $275/mo for that extra year of life. That drops to $138/mo if i get 24 months out of it, which is the plan.

 

Silly question but how do you know when your head gasket is going bad? Or failed completely.

I understand the best way to check is a compression test?

 

The say I found out is my truck ran great for years with no cooling system problems. Then one day a month ago my temp gauge spiked sitting in traffic. I was about 1/2 gallon low on coolant.
They pressure tested the system for leaks- nothing. They did the exhaust gas in the coolant test- nothing. I took it to the stealership and they did the same tests. The exhaust gas test came back positive. I took it back to the first place and they did a bleed down test and a compression test. Bleed down confirmed the #5 cyl was leaking (100% loss). This week I am going to have my 315k motor rebuilt as the cost to do that over just replacing the gaskets is only a few hundred more.

 

Currently replacing my head gasket on my 2006 v6 4.0L
Failed at around 170k
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2006-4-0-v6-head-gasket-overheating.609265/

 

Did any of y'all have the updated 12/05 gasket and still experience a failure? My 06 has a 8/06 date so I feel like I'm in the clear.

 

2006 DCSB with a build date of 10/05. Afaik the engine still had the factory head gaskets when it threw 2 rods out of the block at 183k. No records showing they were replaced and when I asked the PO about any major engine work such as head gaskets he said the heads had never been off the engine. I swapped in a 2010 1gr with 40k, so no worries about it now.

 

06 manufactured 3/06 in Fremont CA. 108,511 mi. No issue

 

05 mine failed at 160k drove it for few mths was up for major svc anyway bit the bullet $2k+; gasket, valve job, water pump, thermostat, serpentine belt, spark plugs, filters, fluids, etc. Runs smooth or even better than when I got it new. Also noticed knocking noise people mentioning now gone but never really knew what it was until got truck back. Thought about trying quick fix head gasket sealer but Im gona keep truck for awhile. Symptoms: misfire #2 code...switched around spark plug/ignition coils. It would idle alot at stop and reversing.

 

'06 built 02/06 125k miles no issues.

 

'05, 02/05 build date, 117K, failed at cyl 6. Not apart yet but coil/spark plug swap and problem stayed at cyl 6. P0306 code. Misses when starting, puff of white smoke. Borescope through spark plug hole and lots of pink stuff in the cyl

Unfortunate timing but it never overheated so maybe heads will be ok. I'm going to change the gaskets myself. A lot of work but I know the condition of the motor and was otherwise in great shape. For those of you who did the gaskets yourselves did you get genuine Toyota gaskets or will aftermarket such as Fel-Pro work? Also is there anything else to change when I have it open/apart?

Planning on replacing head bolts, thermostat and housing, water pump (original). How about timing chain(s), guides, tensioner?

Update: heads were not warped, machine shop only took off 0.004" to clean up. Timing chains were all tight, guides were good. I used a Mahle gasket set and bolts and replaced the water pump, thermostat, and belt tensioner. Huge job but very doable with lots of labeling. Head gasket was definitely failed at cyl 6 but was showing signs of erosion at cyl 4 as well. FSM says to replace exhaust manifold to pipe nuts...don't ignore this! I did not drop the front diff or oil pan so I had to "cheat" and remove the timing cover studs. No oil leaks so far. After completion the engine idled really slow for a day then it was back to normal.

 

My mechanic recommended to leave the timing chain & guides alone. And my gasket failed at about 260k miles!

All is running like new over a year later.

 

2005 with 266k. Runs great. No issues.

 

The one in my '05 failed. However, doing some research led me to the conclusion that it was up to late '05 when Toyota changed the head gasket part they used. So as stated this will be spotty around that time. Mine was manufactured mid '05 and got the earlier head gasket, other '05s manufactured after the part swap are probably ok. And even if you get the old part, you might still be fine. I agree with someone here that pointed out that it's a gasket, these trucks are 14-15 years old...if everything else is fine just get the new gasket and keep on going.