Does anyone have experience with Gasket Masters?

I have 2005 Tacoma TRD 6 speed with 222,000 miles and a head gasket leak confirmed by pressure test and borescope. Gasket Masters in Manteca CA will do the job for about $3,400, which is at least $1000 less than everyone else. They say that OEM gaskets are junk and they only use Fel-Pro, and they offer a 1 year unlimited mileage warranty. If I insist on a Toyota gasket they will not offer a warranty.

I'd like to save a grand, but I'm not sure about them. Does anyone have any feedback, or have a shop to recommend in Jackson/Sonora/Stockton/Sacramento CA?

Thanks,
Ken

 

Fel-Pro gaskets are not known to be all that great. I think you'll get a consensus here that OEM gaskets are much better. I'm sure you know that 2005 and early 2006 4.0L Tacoma had head gasket issues, that Toyota fixed with an updated part. My 2007 still has the original head gaskets and just passed 530,000 miles. So their statement that "OEM gaskets are junk" could be true if you are only referring to the original ones in the model years I listed.
I'd keep looking for someone else to do this repair for you and will use OEM stuff.
Good luck

 

I was kind of skimming thinking okay... guy who drinks the OEM koolaid until I got to the "just passed 530,000 miles on the original gaskets" part.

Sir, you have my undivided attention.

 

First owner?
What kind of oil?
What oil-change interval?

Thanks

 

Felpro certainly dont have a great reputation in the industry.

I used felpro on my 2001 Jeep simply because the kit was the cheapest.

On anything worthwhile I use OEM.

Toyota headgaskets do fail, but after many many years, and typically due to corrosive coolant.

Your 05 was known for headgakets and made it this far.

 

Well, that kind of sucks.
I literally just ordered Fel-Pro valve cover gaskets for my 4.0
Mine are “seeping”, but not enough to be wet. Just “greasy”.

Getting ready to do spark plugs and ordered Fel-pro cover gaskets “just in case” the plug wells have oil in them.

I guess here is hoping they don’t

 

For valve covers its fine, but for a headgasket I want as good as I can get.

We usually try to get Victor Reinz or Mahle for valve covers. You'll be fine either way.

When I first started the felpros wouldnt sit nice in the valve cover and they'd fall out when you tried to install it.

 

I just used recent production Felpro for valve covers/timing cover on a 1GR-FE, they were marked 'made in Japan' and fit very well.

 

Sorry for dredging this thread up from the dead. I stumbled across this thread looking for confirmation on Fel-Pro MS 96641 would fit for the intake plenum. (I have found elsewhere that it will.)

I have used Fel-Pro gaskets on the valve covers on my 2001 Toyota Avalon with a 1MZ-FE. They fit well, and have been working well for over 10 years.

Because they worked so well on the 1MZ-FE, I have since ordered a Fel-Pro VS 50634 R gasket set for the 1GR-FE in my Tacoma. Because installing it will require removal of the plenum, I also ordered the Fel-Pro MS 96641 for that. I plan to install both next month.