80 Woes (or Adventures?)

[dranven]

So I've been meaning to do some significant maintenance on my 80 for a while now. It's difficult to find the time because I work full time and go to school full time. I got hooked up mostly by Kerry (gotmud) on most of the maintenance items I need including:

• Front main seal
• Oil pump cover seal
• Idler pulleys
• PHH
• All coolant/radiator hoses
• Dizzy o-ring
• Valve cover and spark plug gaskets (haven't purchased yet)
• Maybe water pump and thermostat since I'm there
• All belts

So, I am driving the other day and I see smoke from the engine. Pull over and pop the hood and coolant is bubbling/steamimg from where the radiator meets the fan shroud. I get it home and think it's time for a new radiator. Kinda sucks the 80 is forced to be down, but I think, "Well, better that I have this happen now when I was gonna pull the radiator anyway, rather than if I put it back on and it goes a week later." That's being an optimist, right?

So, I ordered a Koyo radiator for $264 shipped. Ordered it on Tuesday (mid day) and it arrived last night (Thursday) before I got home. Wow, that's fast - I didn't expect to have it until next week.

Since the 80 was down Wednesday, it gave me a reason to finish up my bike (R1). So, I installed a Power Commander (allows mapping of a/f ratio, etc) and smog block offs (elimates AIS and allows for more controlled dyno tuning).

Last night (Thursday), I pulled the radiator on the 80 and noticed a few things.

1. There is A LOT of gunk on the block in the front around the head gasket. I don't remember that being there before.
2. The coolant resembled cholocate milk and seemed a bit oily.

I must admit I have not changed the coolant since I purchased the LC from the PO :whoops: (about 3-4 months ago) so I think it's possible the coolant color was just really old? So, I am going to do a leakdown test this weekend and see where I stand.

Thanks for listening guys. I just wanted to post my experience while it's on my mind.

 

[Tools R Us]

...
There is A LOT of gunk on the block in the front around the head gasket. I don't remember that being there before.

Define "the block in the front around the head gasket"? If you are referring to the front face of the motor, inside in that area is the timing chain cavity, very low probably of leakage. If it were to leak, would be a slight oil weep, nothing that would affect reliability. When there are other leaks at the front of the motor, the fan blows it around and the front face of the motor is where it often lands. Shoot a pic?

The coolant resembled cholocate milk and seemed a bit oily.
I must admit I have not changed the coolant since I purchased the LC from the PO :whoops: (about 3-4 months ago) so I think it's possible the coolant color was just really old? So, I am going to do a leakdown test this weekend and see where I stand.

Thanks for listening guys. I just wanted to post my experience while it's on my mind.

Old Toyota coolant tends to look dark and oily.

 

[dranven]

Hmm, thanks for the insight. Your post makes me rest a bit easier. I will snap a picture tonight. Yes, referring to the front face of the motor, above the crank pulley. Still might as well do the leakdown test for piece of mind and also so I know if there's much oil consumption, or if it was all just leaking out.

What are your thoughts on simply using an impact gun on the crack bolt? I don't have a torque wrench up to 304#.

 

[Tools R Us]

I would say bring it to the meet tonight, but not running? I doubt that a leak down is going to tell you anything? I would get it running, put some miles on it and see what you have?

I would have no problem using an impact, but have a pretty good idea of the output of my guns. Another way, would be to use a breaker bar, say it is 2' long, would need to put ~150lb of pressure on it.

 

[dranven]

Coolant hoses are off, so if I do a leakdown and hear and/or feel air coming out, wouldn't that tell me the headgasket is bad? Is my understanding wrong?

 

[Tools R Us]

Coolant hoses are off, so if I do a leakdown and hear and/or feel air coming out, wouldn't that tell me the headgasket is bad? Is my understanding wrong?

If you had a big enough leak for enough air to blow out to hear, you would know it, big time idle miss, eating coolant, P0306 code, etc.

 

[azTony]

I borrowed a 3/4" drive torque wrench from a diesel mechanic. That thing was 3' long and did the trick! If you know a diesel mechanic just ask.

 

[dranven]

If you had a big enough leak for enough air to blow out to hear, you would know it, big time idle miss, eating coolant, P0306 code, etc.

Gotcha. My thoughts were that it may have caused damage when the radiator blew and I had to drive a few miles home.

 

[gotmud]

If those are your new belts, get ready for some whine.

 

[dranven]

If those are your new belts, get ready for some whine.

Those are the old ones.