Heads gasket issue 2004 3.4 v6

I would imagine a compression test would confirm or not. Free to borrow from parts house and just pull plugs.

I could not for the life of me see how it can be upside down.

 

I'd leave the poor owner alone and take it to another mechanic, who I think is full of crap. Get a second opinion but don't tell them what the other mechanic said. Let them figure it out from scratch.

Grab a flashlight and your phone and snap a few pictures or take a video and post it here so we can see what your mechanic saw. I for one don't believe it. I think that motor would've been crapping all over the place from day one of the new head gasket.

 

Get a second opinion. Seems far fetched that it's on upside down, you'd have more issues than just overheating. If you do find out that it is actually on upside down, let us know! Ask the mechanic to show you how he knows it's on upside down.

I once replaced a HG in a 22re and still had overheating issues. Turned out the head needed to be planed. After that it was fine. Could be the same issue, head gaskets went on fine, but the head needs to be planed. Might as well have them check your valve seats while it's at the machine shop.

 

You can't even put it upside down. Find a new mechanic.

 

This is the two sides overlayed, with the right side flipped horizontally to simulate upside down placement. The red Xs are where there are protrusions on the engine block for placement. As you can see, the coolant passage would be completely off the block so it's not possible that it'd even be driving with coolant. That's assuming the installer was that level of negligent and the block studs can actually even line up (doesn't look like they can).

 

A radiator starting to get plugged up is very unpredictable with overheating.

 

Backwards may be the wrong term. I want everyone to pay close attention to everything circled in red and maybe other places. Obviously someone would have to not be paying attention. I mean they are labeled left and right.. But before we start giving the op wrong info…it’s definitely possible depending on how you flip the gaskets and has happened to people with 5vzfe engines.

Take the top gasket how you have it laid out, flip it on the vertical plane and see if they are close.

 

I went ahead and did it so we can confirm.
It’s not perfect but sure seems like you can royally screw this up….and people HAVE done so.

 

Yeah, but you couldn't tell it by a visual inspection without pulling the heads. Mechanic is a clown.

 

Eh. Been a while since I’ve paid attention to a 3.4l. But most Toyota engines you can see the LH or RH stamp of the gasket while it’s installed.
(Assuming it’s a factory MLS gasket)

That being said I’d get a second opinion. If rebuilding I would bank on resurfacing the heads at least.

 

As far as his mech being a clown… he has a good assumption and any mechanic he takes it to will have their own assumptions until they get the green light to do the work.

The real question is, did it hit high enough temps to damage the engine?

To answer Op’s question.. considering the circumstances and the unknowns.. I would have the engine looked at to confirm it can be successfully rebuilt and no damage has occurred..IF you can’t source another engine. That would be the best bang for your buck if a head gasket job will cost you a couple thousand regardless.

Here is a good example for anyone that doesn’t think it’s possible to put a head gasket on “backwards”

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/overheating-after-headgasket-job-291781/