Changing Head Gasket - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

jtl · 09-06-2005, 04:58 PM

I've recently had some problems changing the head gasket. No problems doing the job but the damn thing leaks after. Done this sort of thing on other engines before and never had a problem but can't seem to get it right here for some reason. Followed the manual all the way it torquing (cleaning both the head and block to a nice shine first) and then stretching bolts, etc. The one thing I did notice that I thought was a bit strange was that after taking the OEM replacement gasket off, I noticed that some of the water jacket holes in the block were being covered over by the gasket. A little further look revealed that the gasket, as it comes from Toyota, if installed as is, will block off about 50% of the water jacket channels in the block and head.

I thought this was my problem but when I went on car-parts.com they had a picture of the head gasket for my engine (91 n/a - 5fse) and it looks exactly the same as the OEM (ie. with the water jacket channels blocked off).

Can anyone tell me if this is supposed to be normal and if so, why would Toyota design an engine with water passages that are intentionally blocked off by a gasket.

Am I just dumb and I was expected to nkow that the gasket has to be cut to open up those holes? I wouldn't expect to do that but hey, who knows?

Any help please.

Piddy · 09-06-2005, 07:36 PM

I'll be picking up an OEM 5sfe gasket on Thursday.... I'll take a picture and send it to you. I woudln't recommend buying gaskets from those weird ass places. Use http://partznet.com or just go to your dealership. People have had a lot of problems like that buying from autozone.. etc.

jtl · 09-06-2005, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishcoleobo

I'll be picking up an OEM 5sfe gasket on Thursday.... I'll take a picture and send it to you. I woudln't recommend buying gaskets from those weird ass places. Use http://partznet.com or just go to your dealership. People have had a lot of problems like that buying from autozone.. etc.

I took at look at the website you mentioned and the head gasket there is the same as I described which is the same as I bought right from Toyota (twice). So it looks like the right kind but I still can't understand why it is designed to block off the coolant passages (doesn't make sense to me). Am I supposed to cut holes? I guess the question for you is when you get this gasket and put in on your block, and see that it covers up about 50% of the coolant passages (which it will), are you going to be happy with that.

Let me know how you make out. thanks.

jtl · 09-07-2005, 12:32 PM

Anyone have any other thoughts on my little problem?

Pineapple · 09-07-2005, 12:45 PM

It was block off to manage coolant pressure and flow so coolant flow to every part of the head.
Where do you have leak? What's leaking? You got a crack on the block/head? Head overheated and warped?

jtl · 09-07-2005, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pineapple

It was block off to manage coolant pressure and flow so coolant flow to every part of the head.
Where do you have leak? What's leaking? You got a crack on the block/head? Head overheated and warped?

I hear you and was thinking the same thing about wanting to regulate the flow of coolant but if that was so, why then did they even make passages that need to be blocked off by a gasket. Almost sounds like they found out problems after designing it and didn't want to go back and change after the fact (and took an easier way out).

I have leaking at the gasket interface (head/block). I know that head isn't cracked or warped because I took it into a machine shop and he machined it smooth after making sure it wasn't warped. The block I didn't check but I figured it couldn't warp significantly since it is cast iron (at least that's what I figured but I should probably go out and do the measurements). I didn't do any penetrant inspection for cracks either.