Overheating, now doesn't start

My 2005 has 255,000 miles and Friday it started overheating. Mechanic came to look at it and said gaskets need to changed or water got into engine. Saturday I showed another guy that it was overheating, and it didn't over heat. So, Later on it didn't want to crank. I removed the oil cap and it has yellow foam on it. I want to know what to look for next and honestly is it worth fixing? Thanks

 

is the foam on the dipstick? RIP

 

You will soon hear that your head gasket has blown. According to many here - 2005/2006 V6 Tacoma's were notorius for this. If you decide to fix it - avoid any and all Toyota dealers in SA. Find a well-established independent shop. There are a half dozen or so - maybe more, also avoid the chain operations like Meineke and Midas + others like that.

 

Being a 2005 ya hate to say it but probably head gasket. Trying to find a low-er mileage replacement engine might be a cheaper way to go than doing a HG repair, depending on your skill level/the shop you choose.

Get a proper mechanic to check it out, look for exhaust gasses in the coolant (bubbling), coolant in the exhaust (white sweet smoke), low coolant levels, contaminated oil, or if you want to get more involved do a compression and leak down test. Probably going to be the #6 cylinder if I remember right? (someone will correct me here hah)

Foam-y oil doesnt mean much to me, given the time of year, and especially if you aren't taking long trips and getting the engine up to full temp regularly. I get that occasionally just doing trips around town. Moisture condenses and foams up in the cap.

 

If the frame, Transmission and body are is in good shape, I say it is worth fixing.
I’d probably find a used engine and drop it in. With the resale prices the way they are currently.
You could probably sell it or trade it in and come out better than selling with a bad engine.

 

Well you can spend 40k on a new truck, 20k+ (lol) on a new(er) used second gen.

if the frame was solid I would spend the cash on a low miles 1GR/750F combo.

 

What exactly do you mean when you say it doesn't start?

Does the engine turn over with the starter and it just doesn't run on its own?
or
Does it try and turn with the starter and it doesn't have the power to rotate the engine. If this is true, remove the spark plugs and then try and turn the engine with the starter. If coolant squirts out of one or more of the cylinders it was hydro-locked. You could be looking at bent piston rods and damaged pistons.

 

@Smoke210dogg

You going to like my post but not give us any feedback???

 

Jimmy h is the man

 

I read everything and appreciate the info. My mechanic not answering and I still have to work. I got a mobile mechanic to come by tomorrow morning. I will let u kno what happens

 

There are some simple things you can do meanwhile so we can help you sooner. Like answer Jimmy’s question above?

When you turned the key what happened?

nothing?
Clicking?
Cranks (starter turns engine) but no fire?
Fires up but won’t stay running?

with a cold motor pull off your radiator cap and look in there? Is it full as in touching the bottom of the cap? or is the fluid level low?

your oil filler cap is not indicative of anything, pull the dipstick and have a look or better yet, take a pic of that and post here.

 

Well I hope you get it sorted out. Let us know what happens.

 

Possibly HG failing at 255k miles is pretty impressive for any yr 2nd gen, not just the 05-06's. If the rest of the truck is in good shape cosmetically, I would look around and drop in another lower mileage used 4.0. Still be cheaper financially than buying another vehicle or replacing the HG on a high mileage motor.

 

Dumb question: Why can’t you just replace the HG? I did that on a Corolla I had in 1983.

 

yup

 

The stuff inside your gas cap is normal. Its from short trips and all, very common with these trucks. Tons of posts on facebook pages i follow.

As for the other stuff. Look into the small stuff like thermostat maybe, water pump as well. Think those could help if I'm not mistaken that i have read over time

 

its quite an extensive job if your not mechanically inclined, also its about a 20 hour job so if you gotta pay someone else to do them its usually cheaper to just buy a used motor.

 

So O.P. you cant take 1 minute out of your time to answer question #11,why even bother asking for help here on TW if you don't even want to respond back to the guys trying to help you.

 

He's probably working dude, get over yourself. Read his message that was being responded to...

 

Mobile mechanic. LOL Requires money up front for parts. Takes head off and loads it into van. Uses money for meth and sells head for scrap. Now he doesn’t answer his phone.