D4D Head Gasket

[marco polo]

hello guys, when i start car in the morning , i am hearing a trickle of water coming from air blower inside the car when first starting up then it stops, the car runs okay , it only happens when car is first started up or left lying till cold.there is no coolent loss or white foam on dipstick. other taximen on the road have said its the head gasket . has anyone experenced this.

[Thermal]

Hi,

That's definitely a symptom of air inside the cooling system, in other words, the cooling system hasn't been de-aired properly.

A pocket of air is trapped in the highest point of the system, the heater radiator.

To force the air out, do the following:

- Check that the expansion tank is filled to the "max" indicator line

- Drive the car until the engine reaches normal temperature

- Turn the heater temperature knob to maximum hot

- Rev the engine

The air will now be forced to the expansion tank.

Depending on the amount of air, you may notice that the level in the expansion tank dropped.

Top it up as necessary.

If the problem returns, it may be the first indication that the head gasket is starting to leak, but the above is the cheapest to start with. :!Removed!:

I would keep an eye on the cooling level.

[marco polo]

thanks pal for reply, the coolant has not been changed for about 3 years 050,000 kilometers there is 210,000 on her now. i am a taxi driver who lives about 80 kilometers from work which explaines high milege on clock.since coolant has not been changed in a while might explain how air lock has crept in over time.if i was to replace coolant what coolant do i use and is there a drain plug to drain old coolant out, is it a big or small job

[Thermal]

Hi,

Get the pink Toyota coolant.

Good stuff and not overly expensive.

There's a tap at the bottom of the radiator.

Open the expansion tank lid first and put the heater to max hot.

Have a container ready and open the radiator tap to drain the system.

Close the radiator tap and fill through the expansion tank.

Start the engine and allow it to warm up.

Keep an eye on the fluid level and fill as required.

When the electric cooling fan kicks in, close the expansion tank and with the heater still on "hot", drive around the block.

That takes care of the last air bubbles.

Then turn the heater temperature back to normal.

Check the fluid level again and check for leaks. (the radiator tap... ;) )

Done.

[marco polo]

Hi,

Get the pink Toyota coolant.

Good stuff and not overly expensive.

There's a tap at the bottom of the radiator.

Open the expansion tank lid first and put the heater to max hot.

Have a container ready and open the radiator tap to drain the system.

Close the radiator tap and fill through the expansion tank.

Start the engine and allow it to warm up.

Keep an eye on the fluid level and fill as required.

When the electric cooling fan kicks in, close the expansion tank and with the heater still on "hot", drive around the block.

That takes care of the last air bubbles.

Then turn the heater temperature back to normal.

Check the fluid level again and check for leaks. (the radiator tap... ;) )

Done.

[marco polo]

thanks lads for replys cheers

[irishjay]

Also keep an eye out for white residue on the engine cover ,,, this is a sure sign too