1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Head Gasket Replacement 4.0

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Kerrigan911, Feb 24, 2017.

  1. Feb 24, 2017 at 7:45 PM
    #1
    Kerrigan911

    Kerrigan911 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2016
    Member:
    #197291
    Messages:
    280
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dan
    Vehicle:
    05 TRD OR, AC, 4x4, V6
    I'm coming to the realization that i will have to undertake this as my 05 with 145k keeps throwing the p304 (cyl 4 misfire). I also seem to have to add roughly an inch worth of coolant in the reservoir every few weeks. I have already replaced plugs and coils. The rough start is intermittent and may go days without happening but bottom line is it keeps coming back. Good news is i have done head gaskets on plenty of hondas, a v6 ranger, rebuilt a prelude motor, so i am capable and have most of the tools. I have been reading up on other members post but still had a few questions i wanted to clarify. Now enough of my rant and onto my questions :)
    thanks in advance!

    1-for those that have done the job, did you leave the engine in or pull the engine or engine/trans? (most pics i saw looked like the motor was left in)
    2-what brand double hex 10mm did you end up getting for the headbolts?
    3-Looking at felpro gasket kits, they have an old design and new improved, i assume i want the newer design gaskets?
    4-did you have a valve job done and head milled or just clean up the heads yourself and slap back on (after checking with straight edge of course).
    5-Did you replace the oil pump as well since your in there or leave be?
    6-Did you replace any of the timing chain components?

    That's all for now,
    Dan
     
  2. Feb 24, 2017 at 7:51 PM
    #2
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,562
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    I've done engine rebuilds using both Felpro and OEM on older Toyota motors. No comparison, OEM is significantly higher quality. Not certain if that is the same for the 4.0, but with all the work that is involved in redoing the heads, I would personally go with the Toyota OEM head gaskets.
     
    2WD likes this.
  3. Feb 25, 2017 at 1:29 PM
    #3
    Kerrigan911

    Kerrigan911 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2016
    Member:
    #197291
    Messages:
    280
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dan
    Vehicle:
    05 TRD OR, AC, 4x4, V6
    Thank you for the feedback! I have used Felpro recently on a Honda rebuild and everything seemed fine but i may use oem for the head gaskets and aftermarket for the rest.
     
  4. Feb 25, 2017 at 1:36 PM
    #4
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,562
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    Felpro is a good brand, I wasn't suggesting not using them for the rest of the components. Just for the head gasket I would pay the extra for OEM.
     
    TomTwo likes this.
  5. Feb 25, 2017 at 1:50 PM
    #5
    Kerrigan911

    Kerrigan911 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2016
    Member:
    #197291
    Messages:
    280
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dan
    Vehicle:
    05 TRD OR, AC, 4x4, V6
    20170225_114330_zpstwhf6xea_6505a2f211f2da55f4530ac8840ee6f84326c87e.jpg
    The middle plug is cylinder #4 where i keep getting the misfire, plug is wet and the ceramic isnt white like the rest of the plugs.
    20170225_112636_zps8xs4dn6u_8ec180eb397099a82cb2f86e98a17915b27b0d7b.jpg
    I stuck a camera down #2 and #4, #4 above is shiny (wet)
    20170225_125620_zpsmoxo0fei_10c7591b2af716643e18be8492be77ddbf647966.jpg
    Compression test, numbers look pretty good for 145k miles, #6 slightly higher then rest
    [​IMG]
    Shot of oil cap
     
  6. Feb 25, 2017 at 1:54 PM
    #6
    Clearwater Bill

    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2014
    Member:
    #140097
    Messages:
    22,418
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Billy
    Largo Florida
    Vehicle:
    '13 5 lug AC w/convenience package
    A few OE parts from fancy trucks
    I've never worked a Toyota motor that deep, but I have other Japanese and American.

    On Japanese motors that I intended to work hard and keep long, any critical internal bit, ie failure would leave me stranded, damage internals or be labor intensive to replace again, I always used OE parts.

    Any normal wear parts that had to be touched going in or out to get to my main issue got replaced along the way.

    If it's a budget repair, something you intend to sell within a few thousand miles, or something that you can walk home if it lays down on you, using higher end aftermarket bits works fine.

    My choices were developed because of failures / lack of durability in aftermarket parts in race prepped street cars that were flogged hard at HPDE and autocross.
     
    12TRDTacoma likes this.
  7. Feb 25, 2017 at 1:57 PM
    #7
    12TRDTacoma

    12TRDTacoma Powered by Ford, GM, VW, and Mercedes

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2012
    Member:
    #85133
    Messages:
    16,533
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rob
    Concordia
    Vehicle:
    12 TRD Sport DCLB 4x4 Supercharged
    Boosted
    Compression looks fantastic, which means the valves are doing their jobs as are the piston rings on sealing. Spark plugs look good. The oil cap does not tell any stories though. I would be more concerned about dipstick oil frothiness.

    The symptoms you are describing of a misfire at random times when cold is indicating to me that the head gasket is shrinking and allowing Blow by until the metal on it can expand and cover the surfaces properly. The spark plugs look good as well.
     
  8. Feb 25, 2017 at 2:19 PM
    #8
    Kerrigan911

    Kerrigan911 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2016
    Member:
    #197291
    Messages:
    280
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dan
    Vehicle:
    05 TRD OR, AC, 4x4, V6
    oil has maybe 500 miles on it but wasnt frothy. I did find oem toyota gasket set for roughly 75 more so definitely going that route. Plugs have maybe 2k miles on them.
    again thank you to everyone for all the advice. When i get into this i will put together a parts list and do a shortened write up that will hopefully help others
    20170225_113342_zps5vqots0h_7f61009e75385d62f042568e24cfec40f2718830.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 25, 2017
    Thumby likes this.
  9. Mar 1, 2017 at 7:14 PM
    #9
    Kerrigan911

    Kerrigan911 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2016
    Member:
    #197291
    Messages:
    280
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dan
    Vehicle:
    05 TRD OR, AC, 4x4, V6
    Looking for answers for first post questions :thumbsup:
     
  10. Mar 1, 2017 at 7:42 PM
    #10
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,562
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    1) If just doing the head gasket I've just left the engine in and pulled the heads, much less work. But I've only done this on 4cly trucks.
    4) I've done both. Technically you should resurface. The OEM headgasket is thicker more crushable than the Felpro (at least on the earlier Toyota trucks). When I didn't resurface and used the Felpro I developed a headgasket leak. When I did resurface and used OEM I did not. No overheating was involved in either.
    5&6) Tearing that far down I have always replaced the timing components and oil pump. But again I haven't done it on the 4.0. Bare minimum I would replace the timing chain tensioner.
     
  11. Mar 20, 2017 at 10:20 AM
    #11
    Thumby

    Thumby New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2017
    Member:
    #213825
    Messages:
    4
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2005 Tacoma TRD
    I am doing a headgasket replacement myself(total novice, but will save $2800).The repair manual has me removing the power steering link assy., and the front differential link assy. do you know if this is necessary?
     
  12. Mar 20, 2017 at 11:09 AM
    #12
    Torspd

    Torspd Tor-nication

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2009
    Member:
    #22958
    Messages:
    25,615
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tor
    The Great America!
    Vehicle:
    MMVI 4.4L 4x4 Access Cab
    Torspd Custom Turbo kit [] Borg Warner 9180EFR Turbo [] Haltech Elite 2500 [] TiAL Q BOV [] TiAL V44 Wastegate @ 15psi [] CP Pistons [] CP Carrillo Rods [] ARP Head studs [] ARP Main Studs [] ARP Header - Head Studs [] Ported Heads w/ 1mm oversized valves intake/exhaust [] Brian Crower Forged Stroker Crank [] Darton M.I.D. Sleeved Block [] Kelford Camshafts [] Torspd 160* T-stat mod [] APR Large Fuel Rail [] Walbro 460 LPH E85 Fuel Pump [] FueLab FPR [] APR T56 Conversion Kit [] KP RACING Built T56 [] McLeod Racing Custom Twin Disk Clutch [] One Piece Aluminum Driveshaft [] MGW Shifter [] Custom lowering kit [] Ohlins Front Coilovers [] QA1rear shocks [] Custom Ron Davis Radiator [] Dual SPAL Electric Fans []
    I have the SnapOn tool for the head bolts.

    Remove the studs at the bottom of the timing cover, to aid in the process.
     
  13. Mar 20, 2017 at 11:13 AM
    #13
    SpeedoJosh

    SpeedoJosh Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2011
    Member:
    #61730
    Messages:
    2,300
    Gender:
    Male
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2010 Access cab, Base, 4x4
    Curious if the ranger was the 3.0 V6?
     
  14. Apr 15, 2017 at 3:59 PM
    #14
    Kerrigan911

    Kerrigan911 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2016
    Member:
    #197291
    Messages:
    280
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dan
    Vehicle:
    05 TRD OR, AC, 4x4, V6
    ranger was the 4.0 v6 (97)
     
  15. Apr 15, 2017 at 4:03 PM
    #15
    Kerrigan911

    Kerrigan911 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2016
    Member:
    #197291
    Messages:
    280
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dan
    Vehicle:
    05 TRD OR, AC, 4x4, V6
    still getting that stupid cylinder #4 misfire, ordering some more parts and looking to get this done over the next few weeks.
    Already have:
    oem thermostat, rad cap, rad hoses, waterpump
    Have to order:
    Head bolts, head gasket set (oem), front main seal, fluids

    Did you all reuse the 3 tensioners or buy new?
     
  16. Apr 15, 2017 at 4:13 PM
    #16
    Mehullica

    Mehullica Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2011
    Member:
    #49269
    Messages:
    130
    Gender:
    Male
    Central California
    Vehicle:
    05 Prerunner d-cab
    I've done a few head gaskets on Lexus/Toyota engines & it's easy with the engine installed. Use OEM gaskets & FIPG, check the head with a straight edge or have a machine shop check it. If it's ok, some scotch-brite cleaning is fine. Replace the timing chain guides & leave the oil pump alone. Since you're that far into the engine, buy a head gasket kit from Toyota & it'll come every gasket needed with valve guide seals too. You already have the cams out, buy a ToyoTool on car valve seal tool from eBay or their website & replace the seals on the other head on the car. I have a Snap-On bihexagonal socket, but CTA sells a good one on Amazon. Make sure you put small amounts of FIPG on the head gasket before you install the head on the front edge, this area where the timing cover mates is a weak spot & prone to oil leaks
     
    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
    #16
    lilgerber and jpfunk21 like this.
  17. Apr 15, 2017 at 7:00 PM
    #17
    Kerrigan911

    Kerrigan911 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2016
    Member:
    #197291
    Messages:
    280
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dan
    Vehicle:
    05 TRD OR, AC, 4x4, V6
    So replace the guides, what about the tensioners?
     
    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
    #17
  18. Apr 15, 2017 at 11:07 PM
    #18
    Mehullica

    Mehullica Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2011
    Member:
    #49269
    Messages:
    130
    Gender:
    Male
    Central California
    Vehicle:
    05 Prerunner d-cab
    Tensioners are pretty worry free, never saw one fail in all my years working at the dealership. There is one idler sprocket in the system that I saw one make noise. Just make sure you use the yellow & orange links on the timing chain to line up the timing chain to the correct marks on the cam/crank gears. There's one on the crank, but the intake VVT-i marks will look off by 1/2 a link unless you look down from the cam gear towards the crank, instead of looking at it straight from the front of the engine. Mark the #1 cam bearing caps with white out to give you a good reference point. You'll have to turn the passenger side cam gear counterclockwise a few degrees to take the slack out of the chain to install the tensioner. This step feels a little uncomfortable as the left side cam starts to turn too. Don't overtorque the tensioner either, I've seen several strip the threads in the block. It's only torqued to 7ft/lbs
     
    lilgerber likes this.
  19. Apr 16, 2017 at 4:55 AM
    #19
    Kerrigan911

    Kerrigan911 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2016
    Member:
    #197291
    Messages:
    280
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dan
    Vehicle:
    05 TRD OR, AC, 4x4, V6
    Mehullica,
    Thank you so much for the tips and advice. Will add guides to my list and reuse tensioners.
    Ive done tbelts and head gaskets on other vehicles and have done a chain on a chrysler but nt the 1gr.
     
  20. Apr 16, 2017 at 9:40 AM
    #20
    Mehullica

    Mehullica Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2011
    Member:
    #49269
    Messages:
    130
    Gender:
    Male
    Central California
    Vehicle:
    05 Prerunner d-cab
    Pm me your email, I might be able to send some PDF's of the timing chain from the repair manual
     
    Justintheegreat likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top