Just joined Tacoma World.

I have a 2007 Tacoma 2 7 Reg Cab with 112k miles. I was told by the dealership that my head gasket is leaking when I got my oil changed...Has anybody experienced the same problem? Any input will be greatly appreciated! Also, Can I use a 1st gen camper shell on my 2nd generation? Thank you! Rico

 

Welcome...was this a Toyota dealership?

 

Do you have a bluish gray smoke coming out of your tail pipe ? Welcome to TW

 

Rare on a 2.7 liter 2TR-FE to have a head gasket issue unless it has been over heated.

What made them say it was defective?
Was the Oil full of coolant?

 

So you came in for an oil change and they told you HG is leaking.
And the advisor gave you no supporting evidence. When it's literally their job to explain.

You're telling me the kid performed a test? Because that's how this usually works.
Toyota labor rates are cheap. Toyotas never need anything, just oil changes.
And there are millions of them.
So what does Toyota do? Employ lube techs. Express. Quicklane. Whatever you want to call it.
Some little kid they put in uniform to stand outside in a pit, his only tool a 12mm wrench. To drive your car over the pit, drain the oil, and add new oil.
If it's not in for something major like frame recall, but is just in or oil change, guess where it goes? Lubies. Top off washer fluid.
It's better than Jiffy Lube. Costs a bit more. Because they have Specialized Training on Remove Tacoma Bellypan Metal x4 12mm Bolts
No offense to them. Everyone starts somewhere. That is usually the starting point. I am just saying where you truck realistically probably went.

All goes well when they don't strip any bolts or forget to fully tighten something.
And every day, they pay him jack shit. They expect the work done quick.
With an inspection that is probably minimal because
1. not like that kid knows what to look for/inspect anyway
2. they're not being paid enough time TO inspect/test things
3. not like they have room underneath a pit (it's not a 4 post lift) to closely inspect things
4. why bother, it's a Toyota, they never need anything anyway, and there is no customer complaint to diagnose.

And you're telling me that kid went and found the block tester tool, adjusted your radiator to the correct level of coolant, filled the tool with test fluid, and wasted the time to squeeze the handle to check if changes color indicating a leak
For no reason at all?

I doubt it.

other symptoms
-white smoke (that you haven't noticed)
-coolant loss, that you haven't noticed. IDK if Taco has a level sensor. Messed up if they didn't put one.
-not sure how they would even know. If it's hot (drove to shop) they can't open the radiator right away. It's hot and under pressure. The plastic tank (on a 4L at least) is an overflow reservoir for extra fluid when the radiator is beyond full. Hopefully they know that.
-heat damage like bubbling; I doubt that would be shown in an external overflow tank

At the end of the day, to make a claim, they are supposed to have supporting evidence that proves it. X happened because Y. "You have a bad battery because the voltage is too low and it starts slow"
not "Yim Yam Alakazoo Your Head Gasket Is Bad Give Me Money (Thousands)!"

 

Do your home work: check for overheating, milky oil in oil cap, coolant leak at the rear corners of the head.

 

Welcome to TW

You'll find all the answers to your questions here

Great members willing to share their experience and helpful tips

 

I had a 2009 2.7 Tacoma that leaked oil externally from the head gasket. Drove it that way from 70K to 140K. Nothing ever came of it. Just enough of a seep to wet the block. If that’s all it’s doing I’d leave it be. If it’s an internal leak with coolant being burned or leaking into the oil that’s different.

2nd gen is something like 6 inches wider. I’ve seen people make it work, but it’s not pretty.