Head gasket leaking…looking at my options.

[2001LC]

Thanks. Would you recommend that I don’t drive until it’s fixed or could I just keep an eye on the coolant level for now and monitor?

If it is for sure, leaking at head gasket. It is best, you don't drive. As leak could worsen, and get into cylinder(s). Then you may damage cylinder, and toast the engine lower end (short block). It also, very likely you have been overheated, and that's why you've a leak now. The reason for engine overheating, would need correcting first.

Overheating is caused by, improper coolant service. 98-03 use Toyota LL (pink), and should be flushed every two years or 30K miles, which every comes first.

Personally, I would not use, a head gasket stop leak. Although some people do. Some brands, "claim" to be safe to use.

But, you've yet to show picture of leak. Also you have one shop saying "plugs".

It so easy to get under the vehicle and get picture of point of leak. Especially the rear of engine, on driver side.

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

"Plugs" ?

Again they're failing to show you, in a picture, point of leak. Your picture above, only shows, where coolant has run down to, not where from.

It is easy, to get picture of leak point, when leak at head gasket on outside of engine. One just needs a camera (smartphone) with flash.

They look like these:
This was slow leak. Building thick red crusty over timer, on top side head gasket in valley. This was a warped head, allowing more coolant out top (head side) of gasket.

Here one on side of engine at head gasket. Using non toyota coolant (no red crusty). Easy to see point of leak, since wetness localized around head gasket. You can even see a little tab of head gasket sticking out.

, 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,

Sound about right.

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.

If compression and cylinders, look good. I'd go this route.

Thanks for any insight you all can offer

 

[OldManTanLX]

If it is for sure, leaking at head gasket. It is best, you don't drive. As leak could worsen, and get into cylinder(s). Then you may damage cylinder, and toast the engine lower end (short block). It also, very likely you have been overheated, and that's why you've a leak now. The reason for engine overheating, would need correcting first.

Overheating is caused by, improper coolant service. 98-03 use Toyota LL (pink), and should be flushed every two years or 30K miles, which every comes first.

Personally, I would not use, a head gasket stop leak. Although some people do. Some brands, "claim" to be safe to use.

But, you've yet to show picture of leak. Also you have one shop saying "plugs".

It so easy to get under the vehicle and get picture of point of leak. Especially the rear of engine, on driver side.


"Plugs" ?

Again they're failing to show you, in a picture, point of leak. Your picture above, only shows, where coolant has run down to, not where from.

It is easy, to get picture of leak point, when leak at head gasket on outside of engine. One just needs a camera (smartphone) with flash.

They look like these:
This was slow leak. Building thick red crusty over timer, on top side head gasket in valley. This was a warped head, allowing more coolant out top (head side) of gasket.
View attachment 3927251
Here one on side of engine at head gasket. Using non toyota coolant (no red crusty). Easy to see point of leak, since wetness localized around head gasket. You can even see a little tab of head gasket sticking out.
View attachment 3927250




Sound about right.

If compression and cylinders, look good. I'd go this route.

If it is for sure, leaking at head gasket. It is best, you don't drive. As leak could worsen, and get into cylinder(s). Then you may damage cylinder, and toast the engine lower end (short block). It also, very likely you have been overheated, and that's why you've a leak now. The reason for engine overheating, would need correcting first.

Overheating is caused by, improper coolant service. 98-03 use Toyota LL (pink), and should be flushed every two years or 30K miles, which every comes first.

Personally, I would not use, a head gasket stop leak. Although some people do. Some brands, "claim" to be safe to use.

But, you've yet to show picture of leak. Also you have one shop saying "plugs".

It so easy to get under the vehicle and get picture of point of leak. Especially the rear of engine, on driver side.


"Plugs" ?

Again they're failing to show you, in a picture, point of leak. Your picture above, only shows, where coolant has run down to, not where from.

It is easy, to get picture of leak point, when leak at head gasket on outside of engine. One just needs a camera (smartphone) with flash.

They look like these:
This was slow leak. Building thick red crusty over timer, on top side head gasket in valley. This was a warped head, allowing more coolant out top (head side) of gasket.
View attachment 3927251
Here one on side of engine at head gasket. Using non toyota coolant (no red crusty). Easy to see point of leak, since wetness localized around head gasket. You can even see a little tab of head gasket sticking out.
View attachment 3927250




Sound about right.

If compression and cylinders, look good. I'd go this route.

Thanks for all the above 2001LC
I was able to load up a video:

and then I will post some photos below here also:

 

[2001LC]

I agree, head gasket leak.

I'd scope cylinders before pulling head. If cylinders, look good, pull the head & R&R gasket. If a cylinder(s), don't look good. I'd get compression test, and may do a leak down. We'd want to make, sure cylinder in good shape before spending money on head gasket.

If cylinder(s) bad, I'd replace engine.

 

[OldManTanLX]

I agree, head gasket leak.

I'd scope cylinders before pulling head. If cylinders, look good, pull the head & R&R gasket. If a cylinder(s), don't look good. I get compression test and may do a leak down. We'd want to make, sure cylinder in good shape before spending money on head gasket.

If cylinder(s) bad, I'd replace engine.

Thanks a ton. I’ll plan to do the above and drive the thing minimally until then. I do want to fix it if I can and also, ideally find the reason the HG leak happened in the first place / overheating cause