Head gasket leaking…looking at my options. (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter BullElk
- Start date
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BullElk
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #22
#1 plug is same oily plug that I cleaned off to include in line up.
I have had misfire codes in past and replaced with newer plugs when necessary. As long as running good I haven’t just replaced all at once as you can tell. I did just put in all 2R011 Iridium’s however.
awesomeissquid
SILVER Star
If the oil was from within the cylinder it could be bad rings causing oil to get into the combustion chamber. That would coat the plug and cause the misfire. The leak down test would confirm if it was the rings as you would hear air hissing out of the PCV or oil dipstick tube.
awesomeissquid
SILVER Star
Did you check the oil level on the dipstick as well to make sure it wasn't low? Did the smoke smell sweet?
2001LC
SILVER Star
Could be coolant, could be oil. Likely both in your case. Loss of coolant & oil, with no apparent leaks to account for amount of loss. Would be first indicator (s).
Oil smoke tend to have a blue tint. But depending on lighting and ones eye, difficult to distinguished. To me, oil smoke looks white.
Coolant=head gasket most common. Crack in block or head much less common.
Oil= Valve steam seals or oil rings, excessive crank case pressure (PCV system and or compression rings)
Oil smoke tend to have a blue tint. But depending on lighting and ones eye, difficult to distinguished. To me, oil smoke looks white.
Coolant=head gasket most common. Crack in block or head much less common.
Oil= Valve steam seals or oil rings, excessive crank case pressure (PCV system and or compression rings)
Just this last week I noticed the smell of coolant after I got out of my 1999 LX470 when driving it. This LX has ~220k miles on it and the previous owner changed the coolant to Lexus coolant back at ~190k miles in year 2019. I have not noticed any performance issues, rough idling, smoke, ect. aside from the smell. Two separate mechanics in town tell me the driver's side head gasket is likely leaking or failing. They both did do the pressure test. I am inclined to fix the driver's side head gasket, leave the passenger alone. Truck is in good shape otherwise.
Between the two mechanics I look at my LX470 this last week, the first one is not convinced that I need a new engine - no check engine light, no misfire, smoke. The other mechanic has told me that there is coolant coming out of two of the plugs, and has already chattered about how costly a repair to the existing engine could be - he thinks I should take a serious look at a new used engine. For you all in the community here, what test(s) would be most helpful for you to know the results on? The new used engine estimated cost from mechanic #2 is coming in around ~$8k, whereas I am thinking if I caught this gasket leak early enough, maybe I am lucky enough to not need to get a new engine and can repair the driver's side gasket alone and call it a day.
Thanks for any insight you all can offer
Between the two mechanics I look at my LX470 this last week, the first one is not convinced that I need a new engine - no check engine light, no misfire, smoke. The other mechanic has told me that there is coolant coming out of two of the plugs, and has already chattered about how costly a repair to the existing engine could be - he thinks I should take a serious look at a new used engine. For you all in the community here, what test(s) would be most helpful for you to know the results on? The new used engine estimated cost from mechanic #2 is coming in around ~$8k, whereas I am thinking if I caught this gasket leak early enough, maybe I am lucky enough to not need to get a new engine and can repair the driver's side gasket alone and call it a day.
Thanks for any insight you all can offer
2001LC
SILVER Star
Lexus or Toyota coolant are the same. They're either LL (red) 98-03 or SLL (pink) 04-07.
Did they give you pictures of leak?
Head gasket leak can be seen, unless between coolant passages and oil drain port. Which oil analysts can reveal.
Head gasket leaks, are typically due to overheating warping head.
Did they give you pictures of leak?
Head gasket leak can be seen, unless between coolant passages and oil drain port. Which oil analysts can reveal.
Head gasket leaks, are typically due to overheating warping head.
2001LC
SILVER Star
That is coolant (pinkish crusty, outlined in yellow) leak for sure.
If it is the head gasket. 99.8% chance, engine was overheated. I find water hoses swollen, 8 out of 10 times, when that happens.
But point of leak, is not shown. I'd like to see pressure test blow it out where pink arrow is pointing at head gasket. The blue arrow points to rear water bypass joint on top of engine head. It also could be a leak, and come down block. Also notice the block drain in my picture. It too could be a leak. Just forward of pick crusty, is block water hose going to oil cooler.
If it is the head gasket. 99.8% chance, engine was overheated. I find water hoses swollen, 8 out of 10 times, when that happens.
But point of leak, is not shown. I'd like to see pressure test blow it out where pink arrow is pointing at head gasket. The blue arrow points to rear water bypass joint on top of engine head. It also could be a leak, and come down block. Also notice the block drain in my picture. It too could be a leak. Just forward of pick crusty, is block water hose going to oil cooler.
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Thanks for taking a look 2001LC. To confirm: you are saying that you would want to 'see pressure test blow it out where pink arrow is pointing at head gasket'? This would better pinpoint the issue on mine? Thanks
2001LC
SILVER Star
Yes.
If there is a coolant leak into the head, does this necessarily mean the heads are warped? Could it just be the gasket that failed. Owner notes no overheating.
