Possible Head Gasket Replacement / Parts list

[mjeckell]

Im thinking that I may have a head gasket leak. A little history of my vehicle. 1995 1fzfe. 318,000 miles. Never had the head gasket done. Coolant level has been dropping in the reservoir and I have been getting increased temperatures with load and climbing grades. Today coming up the Cuesta Grade, which is about 4 miles long, I reached 230 degrees and then would drop back on the downhill to about 202. On my most recent trip from Northern California, driving back on the 5, Temp was about 211 at 65-70 mph. I installed a new radiator about two months ago and I recently put in a new fan clutch as well as new radiator cap. No change with the new clutch and radiator cap. I have a new thermostat but I have not put it in yet. I have new coolant and distilled water that I bought thinking it may be the thermostat and then a couple days ago I saw that the coolant level had dropped. Instead of me wasting new coolant and doing a flush, I thought I would reach out to the group and get your opinions. I bought the 80 back in 2010 with 165,000 miles. I dont believe the head gasket has ever been done.

If I was to do a head gasket myself, is there a list of other things I should do as well? Does anyone have a parts list? Kit? I will be doing the work myself. I know my valve stem seals are shot and probably my spark plug seals. Burns oil about 2 quarts every 1500-1700 miles. Its been doing that for years. Ive been running Kirkland heavy duty diesel oil for the longest time and that slows down the consumption. 10-30 and it would drink it like crazy. Valve cover could probably use a dip cleaning for all the passages as well as the intake. What do all you think. Its a CA vehicle so pretty clean and in good shape. Love to hear what all you have to say.

Thanks

Matt

Pic below for fun

 

[Fj80oregon]

I would confirm you have a HG failure before dumping all that money into. Done oil consumption is not an issue and much cheeper than a HG. Buy a combustion tester or barrow one from an auto parts store and test it’s very simple and will tell you if you have issues. How much coolant is being lost? Have you thoroughly checked to make sure you don’t have a coolant leak? You can do a pressure test on the cooling system also for very cheep.
As far as a kit goes you would just buy a gasket kit from Toyota either an engine overhaul gasket set or a valve grind gasket set depending on how deep you where going to go on the rebuild. Then you just need to figure out what else you want to replace and order those specific parts. Enter your vin on partsouq and look at all the diagrams and you can obtain the part numbers then order from them or your preferred local dealer. If you search Head gasket replacement on google with ih8mud you will find lots of threads with part numbers. You just have to decide how many parts you are going to replace.

Thread '1FZ-FE engine refresh parts list (OEM)'

May 5, 2020

UPDATE 8/14/24: OEM Google Sheets parts list here

Hey folks, sorry for yet another engine refresh thread, but I haven't run into a parts list with part numbers and links to source the parts so here we go.

Anything I'm glaringly missing to get some TLC while the *engine is out*? I've already done a bunch of stuff to my '97 like fuel filter, PHH and the like. I may be missing part #s for the pan arch seal and whatever other bits and bobs that come from DIY tribal knowledge. I will be farming the work out myself.

Again, "while the engine's out*, anything obvious I'm missing...

• COYS
• Replies: 92
• Forum: 80-Series Tech

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Click on the google drive link it has a good parts list with description and part numbers.

 

[mjeckell]

Yes I agree that is my next step is to get a tester. I was going to do that today but I wanted to see if more coolant was disappearing. There is no obvious leak that I can see. A week ago the coolant level was at near the high level in the resrvoir. Today it was about 3mm from the low mark on the reservoir. Is the combustion tester you referring to the ones that attach to the radiator cap location?

 

[brockdeck]

Lots and lots of resources here if you search regarding the head gasket, @Fj80oregon knows his stuff and is completely correct.

Is your overflow bottle emptying out, or just fluctuating? It is normal to fluctuate, if losing coolant and no obvious signs (milky oil, oil cap looks watery, smells of coolant/lots of white exhaust smoke) make sure you don't have a leak related to the rear heater or anything else hard to see if still installed. If not HG related, sounds like something else going on with your cooling system. Definitely do a hydrocarbon test before committing all that $.

What radiator did you put in, and is it possibly leaking in a spot you might have missed? Possible air in the system? I once had a napa radiator, it started leaking after a week from the bottom tank inside behind the fan shroud.

 

[mjeckell]

Radiator was from autozone and was recommended from a friend who had good luck with them. I have looked for any signs of an external leak and have yet to find one around the radiator. I will definitely inspect further in other places. Just got done dropping the kids off at school and rented a combustion leak tester. When i replaced the radiator several months ago i ran the vehicle with cap off, heater on high for a long time. Did that several times since then. I topped off the fluid at the high mark on the reservoir. Then as i stated in the above post noticed it the other day just above low.

Standby for leak detection results

 

[mjeckell]

Well the combustion leak tester results were negative. Never changed color. Well that’s good news. Is it possible that my coolant could be too diluted? Thermostat sticking. I’m gonna drain, flush and replace thermostat for my next step.

 

[jpoole]

I recently put in a new fan clutch

These often require tuning off-the-shelf to perform well. I think it's smart to always change the oil to 10-15k and set the opening temp appropriately. Research on mud for details. Monitor operating temps periodically and keep them below 220 F in all but the most extreme, short-term situations could be a reasonable goal.

is there a list of other things I should do as well?

Stick around mud long enough and this question will probably make you laugh like I just did, thanks.

I'd recommend spending some time reading threads, growing your understanding and compiling notes/plans. It's worth getting up to speed with the collective wisdom of the forum regarding cooling system function even though there are a range of valid approaches to how you manage setup, maintenance and operation of your 80. Knowledge and DIY capabilities have real value with long term ownership of an 80.