V6 Head Gasket Replaced, NOW Same Problem?

[fchanes]

I know this topic has been covered before but I would like some input. I have a 93 V6 with 130k miles. It began to consume water but no water in the oil. I replaced both head gaskets and had the head pressure checked for leaks. Soon after the replacement, it began to have the same problems. New radiator, thermostat, caps and flush. Engine runs great but when you stop, there is a perculating in the reseveror tank. (It did the same thing before). This was the first tip off that it was the head gasket leaking. All symtoms are the same. Here is my question. Is it a head gasket again, maybe improperly installed? I don't thing so as I'm very careful in my work and good mechanic. Is there a way to find out which head? What about compression testing as is stated in other parts of this forum? If so , please explain the procedure. Any other thoughts, maybe a cracked block? Again, there is no water in the oil. And lastly, what about the quality of the haed gasket itself? I have been purchasing parts on Ebay at highly reduced costs compared to Toyota and local auto parts. Thanks.

[kcg795]

For Toyotas, ONLY USE OEM! Do not go with aftermarkets. An OEM headgasket from Toyota has double the strength than most cheap aftermarkets out there. Spend the extra money and only use gaskets from Toyota.

[Toysrme]

OEM Toyota head gaskets suck. They never did revise them to quit leaking externially, and even the best ones were still susseptible to blowing out. That's why they gave up & went to MLS (Multi-Layer-Steel ) gaskets across their entire engine line.

The best aftermarket headgasket you can buy are Victor's Nitroseals. Nobody makes performance gaskets that will fit them. Otherwise, you have to have custom copper head gaskets cut out for between $150-350. Copper never blows, but you have to have the block & heads milled into spec, with a correct finish on them, and use dressing on the gasket so the coolant passages don't leak from a poor seal.





Sound to me like the head is warped, or you're still burning the coolant & oil out of the exhaust pipe. How is the performance? Check your ignition timing & cam timing. Check o2 sensor output to make sure you're not really rich, or really lean & burning something up. If so check fuel related issues - pump, pressure, injectors.






Warm the engine to operating temp then do a compression, or a leak down test. That's the only way you're gonna know if the head gaskets are blown for sure. If they are, get the mechanic to replace it for not checking his work, and diagnosing the engine correctly. Warped heads/block (not normal-iron block), not cleaning the surfaces enough, or using the correct spec/proceedure when installing them.



Download the 1993 ES 300 FSM I posted that brian was so nice enough to sticky. It contains the Toyota/Lexus engine stuff for a 3vz-fe.

[kcg795]

My engine in my Toyota Van was rebuilt by a Toyota dealer. Then it blew the headgasket. I pulled the head off and found out they used an aftermarket. I got a headgasket from another Toyota dealer and compared it. The firing rings are twice as thick. I put it in and haven't had a problem with it since.