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Head gasket question

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by mnfeo2, Mar 12, 2017.

  1. Mar 12, 2017 at 7:30 PM
    #1
    mnfeo2

    mnfeo2 [OP] Member

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    Ok, I did a search, a couple, and I cant find the exact symptoms my truck is having.

    2002 Tacoma 3.4 4x4 supercharged

    The cooling system is always pressurized even when its cool/cold, except when i relieve the pressure. About 10-15 seconds after starting the motor with the radiator cap off the coolant starts to overflow. I have not seen any bubbles in the cooling system and it does not over heat. The temps run about 175-182 with a 170 thermostat. I do get a smell of coolant when I start the truck and found the radiator to have a couple pin holes at the bottom. It will be replaced later this week along with the thermostat just for good measure. The rad cap is new and in working order. I have a cooling system/rad cap tester.

    One of the searches suggested the head gaskets might be in question. I did a compression test today, below are the results. The truck runs fine and pulls well.

    1 - 165
    2 - 125
    3 - 135
    4 - 150
    5 - 145
    6 - 125

    I'm not sure if the low compression is due to the rings or the head gasket being shot, or both.

    Please help!
     
  2. Mar 12, 2017 at 7:34 PM
    #2
    gmr102

    gmr102 Well-Known Member

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    How many miles? Do you know how long it has had the SC on? The head gasket is a far more common issue with the 3.4 than the piston rings from what I can tell. How long has it been since the water pump and timing belt have been changed?
     
  3. Mar 12, 2017 at 7:41 PM
    #3
    InfernoTonka

    InfernoTonka Infernal Order of Knights Templar of Inferno-ness

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    My Ford interior started smelling like radiator fluid when my heater core went out. Then my head gaskets started going out after that. I drove around for a long time with the heater not working.

    I'm not sure if this helps out with Toyotas or not.
     
  4. Mar 12, 2017 at 7:43 PM
    #4
    mnfeo2

    mnfeo2 [OP] Member

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    145,00 miles, the supercharger was installed about a year ago at 130,000 miles. The water pump and timing belt where changed last April at 135,000 miles.
     
  5. Mar 12, 2017 at 7:49 PM
    #5
    gmr102

    gmr102 Well-Known Member

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    Ok. My money would be on the head gasket. I'm sure a new radiator and thermostat wouldn't hurt anything either as you already plan to do both. Have you checked the oil out as well to see if it has water in it?
     
  6. Mar 12, 2017 at 9:19 PM
    #6
    1997tacomav6

    1997tacomav6 V6 5sp,RegCab,TVS1320 Supercharger,Haltech, 800k

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    97 reg cab, v6 5sp 300hp supercharged, Methonal Injection, 800,001 plus miles, Original Owner
    V6 5sp,RegCab,TVS1320 Supercharger, 56mm pulley, methanol injected Haltech ECU, AC Tvs1320 supercharger,(MUST DO) every 125,000- 150,000 needs rebuild Projector headlights HID 5 speed manual Amsoil for all drive train Smaller 56mm custom pulley, (MUST DO) 2004 DESNO fuel injectors, zero ping ping, 2004 side door mirrors Dick Cepek Rims, Michelin tires LTX, ATM Pathfinders Dynopro ATM ( that last 100,000 miles) Now running Dynopro ATM mud and snow tires KN cold air intake Cat back dual exhaust with ss exhaust tip, Raised exhaust tail pipe to 2" below body line Optima*dry cell battery,red top Alpine sirius radio, 200 watt amp, focal is165 split door pod speakers Focal door speakers Subwoffer behind seat Viper alarm, Electric Locks Dark tinted windows, bucket seats corbeau lg1 Tacoma Rubber floor mats TRD fender extenders, Bilstien shocks, King shocks JBA UCA trailer iv hitch, electric brake control, Drilled slotted brakes, High carbon steel (MUST DO) EBS green stuff 7000 series pads(MUST DO) TRD engine oil cap TRD stick shift, Marlin crawl shift kit. Rear sliding window 2002 4Runner functional hood scoop cut into Tacoma hood, 4Runner dual overhead map light Gentex Auto dim + Compass + Temp, garage,rearview mirror Snow Methonal kit stage 2 Custom 3 core aluminum radiator Linex bed liner Haltech stand alone ECU, Intake supercharger gauge. Stainless steel brake lines, Custom leather wrapped steering wheel, Haltech stand-alone ECU,
    Keep an eye out for white smoke from the tail pipe and ANY missing radiator fluid.
    If you see either of these issues then the head gasket is the problem, the compression does show a problem,
    My head gasket went out at 489,000, white smoke, just a little radiator fluid loss.
    Supercharged the whole time,
    Maybe you will find some info on my posting when it happened to me below

    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...epair-or-replace-engine.397363/#post-11004749
     
  7. Mar 13, 2017 at 12:07 PM
    #7
    mnfeo2

    mnfeo2 [OP] Member

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    I don't get any white smoke/steam out of the tail pipe. A fellow toyota guy at work recommended running it to TDC and hooking up an air compressor to help figure out what is leaking. I'll be doing this when I get home.
     

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