So I had noticed a small coolant leak over the past few months and tried to ingore it as long as possible. I was driving one the highway the other day and noticed my temp needle just a needle above middle where it is usually glued. I didnt want to take a chace so I got off the highway to find a pretty good drip coming from the drivers side rear of the engine. After adding some coolant I drove it back home and slid underneath to notice the leak coming from the head gasket. Guess what I am doing this weekend? I ordered the gasket kit and all new head bolts from Atlantic British and will do the repair this weekend. I have done about a dozen or so head gasket jobs on other vehicles an am wanting to know if I am in for any surprises on my DII. I do have the RAV CD and seems pretty straight forward. I was alo planning on taking the heads in to have them surfaced and possibly valves done depending on recommendation. Anything out of the ordinary I should expect?

 

I did my water pump while I was there.It was an extra $150 but as long as youve got all that apart and its rite there might wanna do it.

 

how many miles on your rig?

 

Alote......It has 172k. I am sure this will be it's second gasket set. It was a one owner prior to me and always serviced at a LRD in Penn, but the guy drove from state to state alote.

 

Definitely resurface the heads, I doubt they are completely straight at that mileage. I would pull your lifters out and inspect them and take a close look at the pushrods ends and replace any suspect ones. I would just go ahead and do the valves also. I wish I had done my valves when I had mine out, but I was pretty broke at the time and needed my truck ASAP. Some people recommend changing the water pump but I would not unless it is leaking or making noise.

 

Good time to change sparkplug wires.

Willie

 

I did get a set of Magnacore 8mm wires and bosh iridium plugs. I also took the water pump recomendation from all and ordered the pump (original equipment), it will be at my local carqwest tomorrow morning. How long did this job take most of you to complete minus down time for the heads being surfaced etc?

 

While it's torn down I'd do the water pump and replace the timing gear cover gasket/seal.

 

New 8 mm Magnacor wires, new t/stat check/replace all hoses and a new coolant cap.
At your mileage, valves/guide will become an issue.

 

Took the heads in for complete rebuild on Ssaturday. Should have them back in the next day or so and will start reassembly. Got water pump, t-stat some coolant hoses (some where just replaced) and complete gasket kit.

How did you tork the head bolts in the very back against the firewall. They where hard enough to get out, I cannot imagine what a pain they will be to tork properly when I put them back in.