New Guy, needing some help!

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6894kevin

6894kevin

10 Year
Joined
Aug 10, 2011
Threads
38
Messages
1,924
Location
Lawrenceville GA
Hey everyone. Im going to try to make this short and sweet. I recently purchased a 1994 80 series in Gvl. I have been reading on this forum for some time and thought I had a pretty handle on what to look for in these things. Anyway I think I got taken for a bit of a ride. I have only had the truck for a few weeks and its started acting funny. Sorry for the lame description, I'm a new guy and trying to learn. When I bought it everything looked fine, after a week I noticed idle at start-up was rough and at times making the rig shut off. I looked into this and found the bright clean green radiator fluid was now kinda dirty. I then noticed if I kept the RPM at 1k during start up a bit of white smoke would come from the exhaust and after about a minute it would run and be fine!

Now after all my reading I think its the Head Gasket that's leaking. I want to know if anyone else has had this issue around Gvl/Anderson area and where did you take it. I know this is going to be pricey to fix, and my wife's going to kill me but I want to keep this truck. Its kind of a DD but I have a take home car from work (but its only for work!!!) so It can be left for an extended period of time if ya think that will help the price.

Thanks for all your help and when I get it back in order I hope to hang out with you guys

Kevin
 
And Can someone verify that my membership took for a 1 year to the UC. I joined early this morning and Paypal accepted payment but the UC site is glitching or my PC is one.

Thanks

Kevin
 
I'm out of town on vacation. I'll try to say what I know.

If your a member of Uc. You get 25% of parts and labor with Ralph Hayes Toyota.

I got my head gasket done with them. They did a great job.
 
Thanks, Do you mind me asking how much it set you back? and do you think its ok to drive?

Also is the discount based on the honor system?? That why I asked about my payment to the UC, i got no proof Im a member.

Thanks

Kevin
 
It is not okay to drive. If you have a leaking head gasket you could destroy your engine.

Your description seems accurate. I have seen people pay ~$1000-2500 ranging from a simple head gasket replacement to a full top end rebuild since it is apart and most components are easy to get to.
 
Any suggestions on what else I should address while its apart? I would love to do this myself but I no longer have a garage and my tools are all stored at a friends home garage.

I was thinking water pump & hoses, maybe timing chain??? What else? ??

I was hoping to make the aunt Sue's meet but now that's definitely not going to happen

Thanks everyone.
 
Dang - I just saw that you are right down the road from me. I wish I knew more about 80's b/c I'd swing by this afternoon.

Ralph Hayes Toyota does give 25% off on parts and service. I can't comment on their new service manager but I've heard good things. There parts guy, Rick Arflin, rocks. Tell them you are a new Upstate Cruiser member and we sent you there.

Another option is ACC Toyota but they are on the north side of Atlanta in Scottsdale. They do awesome work and really know their Cruisers. I always like to have choices...

I'll shoot you a PM.
 
The head on the 1FZ isn't terrible, but without tools i'd say it is impossible. Ralph Hayes Toyota is a great place to have this kind of stuff done. Johnny Johnson is one of the service advisors and he (or his son) will take good care of you. some of the "while you are in there" stuff would be maybe a look at the timing chain (replacing it would increase your bill exponentially b/c they have to take off the crank seal and other stuff) but the tensioner and slipper would be high on my list. They'll have a look at most of the stuff in there while they do it. I also agree with above that ACC is great, they are a little farther away but they definitely know what they are talking about, but I wouldn't hesitate to take it RHT, they will do you right

Order the silicone PHH (pesky heater hose) and have them do that while they are in there, save you some headaches and some cursing your truck...
 
Thanks 99UZJ.
Hearing you guys say they are a good place to go makes me feel better. I spoke to Brad today and first up a pressure test to make sure we are going down the right road. Won't get to that till Wed or Thur because of my schedule.
**As for the timing chain ...... is that something that's going to eventually fail and cause problems? ?
**what is the slipper and tensioner for?
** I already ordered the rear hoses made is silicone, PHH, should I go factory for the one that goes down the back side?
Also after reading myself silly should I go ahead and do the water pump??

Thanks for putting up with all my questions and FNG knowledge

Y'all are awesome
 
Timing chain should last the life of the truck, they usually don't break. The chain rides on a "slipper" it is a plastic (old kind) rail that keeps the chain straight on the cam sprockets. The tensioner is a metal piece that has a spring in it that pushes the tensioner side (opposite of the slipper) and maintains a variable tension on the timing chain. The only time a timing chain usually should need changing is if it has stretched or something like that. The water pump is your call, if it makes you feel better, i'd do it. They are pretty easy to DIY, and if Steve is right down the road from you he could help i'm sure if you wanted to tackle that yourself, he can also help if you want to drill holes in your rear bumper.... HTH...
 
Thanks for the info and I know I'm the FNG, but why would I want holes in my bumper and what's "HTH"
 
eventhough said:
There is a video somewhere that'll explain the "bumper holes." HTH = hope that helps. Jay is all cool and $hit with his text lingo.
Click to expand...

I'll use some of my "hip" text lingo... STFU steve!!:flipoff2:

If there isn't a video of Steve's hole saw skills there is at least pics... He's an expert at dulling hole saws, and putting holes in bumpers...
 
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