94 camry w/5sfe leaking coolant into #3 plug area

[m.protzek]

While driving to myrtle beach last weekend my camry starts miss-firing.When I made it to the beach i started checking the engine out .Pulled plug wires and found small amount coolant in the recessed area for # 3 plug. Dried the area out strarted up fine and ran well till the plug wire became wet. Looked in the plug hole and could se a small leak just above the plug.
I drove the car back home and had to add maybe a 1/2 gallon or water after driving 240 miles
There is no water in the oil or smoke in the exhaust. I am thinking that where the leak is that my head is cracked.
If so doers the leak sealers the are in the parts stores work well ie( blue devil,prestone)
Or with out pulling the head is there anyway without running on 3 cylinders

any thoughts would be appreciated

[toyomoho]

I thought the plug tubes screwed into the head and extended out of the head. The water may be coming up from the bottom of the head. You can remove the tube, then look closely at the head for cracks. Determine where the water is going before you keep running the car! Some people swear by these coolant sealants, others swear at them.

High temp electrical insulation grease (silicone grease) when packed around the plug, and between the plug and socket will keep the water out this area.

[m.protzek]

Tore the engine apart ,the head gasket looked ok there were no cracks but I did find a crack in #3 and 4 plug areas.Guess i need to buy a new head

[toyomoho]

It seems this problem has occured before, see past TN post at bottom of page. At least you found the problem fast. You might check on the cost of a rebuilt head.

[m.protzek]

Checked the prices of a new head and it is 750$.On e-bay there are 3sfv engines for 500$shipping included.
Would it not be easier to swap the engine out.
The original engine has 170,000 om it and I heard that it is not always a good idea to have new head without reworking the lower hAlf of the engine

[tonic]

Well you did an excellent job. I had exactly the same problem. 160,000 miles and 96 same engine ... my problem was at spark/plug tube no #2 . Always took good care of that engine. And I've seen many people having same problem ... so shortly my head vent to the machinist ... they resurfaced and 'inspected' and everything was ready to GO. Installed new gaskets and new water pump, new timing belt, a few new sensor etc. etc. - everything installed properly. Car started at the first key ... everything runned perfect for 30 min and EXACTLY same problem came back. Coolant slowly slowly accumulating in spark plug well no#2.
So I guess the machinist/shop ... the idiot didn't test or inspect everything properly. I guess they never removed the spark plugs pipes to take a look in there at the base of the spark plug.
That's a shame ... but I ended in paying the machinist like 260$ ... and than other parts like 400$ and another like 500$ for the work.
And I need to trash the car ... because of the shop that inspected my head.
I am curious how big was your crack? Thanks.