Head gasket ???

[Benbow]

G'day,
just working on a mates 79 series cruiser.

History

The Toyota overheated as a result of a faulty thermostat on a cold morning 2-3degrees Celsius about 6 months ago.
The gauge hit red and engine was shut off immediately. The Toyota was then towed into town to get looked at as we both thought the head gasket would be buggered/head cracked.

Mechanic tested combustion and ran tests and there was no evidence of head gasket failure or head cracking. So he fitted a new thermostat and radiator, he also did the rear main seal while it was in the shop.

I have been reading a lot about symptoms of head gasket damage/ cracked head.
The cruiser now 6 months later.

-Radiator slightly bubbles when engine cold (warming up). The colour of the coolant is fine, clean and green.
-Oil colour is not milky or brown, no milky colouration
- there is a rich smell coming from exhaust pipe but no distinct black colour.
-Engine does not overheat.
- there has been slight power loss (could be in our heads)

We are planning a trip next month and are just trying to get ontop of things...
Could the head still be damaged with the bubbles occurring in radiator?? Or can air suck in from somewhere else??? And the rich smell and slight loss of power??

Thanks for ur help

 

[OGBeno]

What engine??

 

[Benbow]

What engine??

It's a 1hz 4.2 non turbo

 

[Locked79]

Slight loss in power could be stuck rings (compression) or rings that have lost there tension. I'd say that if the only issues he having is a few bubbles in the radiator, then I'd leave it be. 1hz's are a pretty robust engine. I overheated my 94 1hz and cracked the head. Steady steam of bubbles in the radiator but not oil discolouration or loss of coolant. Drove it like this for another 150000km without a problem until it got retired.

 

[Benbow]

Cheers mate
Good to know I may get some longevity out of it. I've booked it for a compression test on Friday to rule anything else out. Cheers

 

[dabasscow]

I believe you can test the coolant for exhaust gasses, to see if there is a leak from the combustion chamber.