Hi all!
1993 KZJ78 with 1KZ-TE leaking coolant somewhere. Servicing the overflow almost every two weeks to “full” line. Took it to a Land Cruiser Mechanic and had him see if it was an external leak before calling it a bad gasket. He performed a pressure bleed down check, radiator and associated hose damage checks, heater core and lines check and no leaks noticed. No white smoke, no over temp on gauge, no discolored oil or coolant or coolant smell inside. Pulled the head last week and according to the Mechanic, “No problems with the head gasket as far as I can visually see. The cylinder head was also checked and no serious cracks were found.
However, this engine may have cracks in the water jacket that are not visible.
“Suggestions we can make are as follows
1. replace the head gasket and see how it progresses.
2. send the cylinder head for inspection and replace it accordingly.
3. replace the cylinder head without inspection.”
I would like to ask if just replacing the gasket and pressing on would be a good idea or would having it inspected and replaced, if actually cracked, be better? If the gasket was not torn but just old, is it a safe assumption that it was allowing coolant to leak out slightly enough to just show on the reservoir? Anyone have experience with this? Thank you for your advice!!
1993 KZJ78 with 1KZ-TE leaking coolant somewhere. Servicing the overflow almost every two weeks to “full” line. Took it to a Land Cruiser Mechanic and had him see if it was an external leak before calling it a bad gasket. He performed a pressure bleed down check, radiator and associated hose damage checks, heater core and lines check and no leaks noticed. No white smoke, no over temp on gauge, no discolored oil or coolant or coolant smell inside. Pulled the head last week and according to the Mechanic, “No problems with the head gasket as far as I can visually see. The cylinder head was also checked and no serious cracks were found.
However, this engine may have cracks in the water jacket that are not visible.
“Suggestions we can make are as follows
1. replace the head gasket and see how it progresses.
2. send the cylinder head for inspection and replace it accordingly.
3. replace the cylinder head without inspection.”
I would like to ask if just replacing the gasket and pressing on would be a good idea or would having it inspected and replaced, if actually cracked, be better? If the gasket was not torn but just old, is it a safe assumption that it was allowing coolant to leak out slightly enough to just show on the reservoir? Anyone have experience with this? Thank you for your advice!!
Multiple micro cracks caused the leakage of coolant under pressure.
