Mechanic says it’s not the head gasket.

jfunez · 03-21-2008, 01:47 AM

you might wana check or search on the frequently asked questions....good luck......you'll be amazed at how much information has allready been asked and answered many times..

87 Supra · 03-28-2008, 03:52 PM

Well it looks like I was nursing a bad head gasket the whole time. It finally blew two days ago. She started bellowing white smoke and started running a little rough. I parked her in the garage and haven’t started her since. I have a few questions for the HG pros out there who have done this job before. I have never worked on major engine components on this type of car before but I’m up for the challenge. That being said I have found a few sources for gaskets and was hoping some of you could point me down the right path. From what I have read most people go straight to there Toyota dealers but the one I usually deal with here is very pricey on parts. I found a few external web based companies that offer gasket kits made by Felpro and Ishino. I was contemplating the Felpro kit. Has anyone ever used this one before? Any advice on it or should I just buy it from the dealer? I want to make sure all the gaskets fit right and I have heard stories about the Valve cover gaskets on some sets not fitting properly.

http://www.toyotapartscheap.com/

http://www.tpartswarehouse.com/catalog/?N=11790+4294966978+1725+11921+5774

http://www.innerauto.com/store/?D=toyota+supra&Ntt=toyota+supra&Dx=mode+matchallp artial&Ntk=Main&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&N=4294966 978+4294967259+2471&Nty=1

Benesesso · 03-28-2008, 05:08 PM

If your Supra is a turbo you are in for a LONG workout. I'd put the car on a trailer and get it to "IHateHacks;s" garage now. It took me a month to replace the HG on a 1990 turbo, and I'd never do it again. I somehow damaged a nerve in my leg and spent the next YEAR on painkillers.

87 Supra · 03-28-2008, 05:17 PM

Sorry to hear about the leg. She’s not a Turbo and I have all the time in the world to work on her. She’s my driver but I only use it on Fridays and my wife can cover me as needed. It does look like a big job but I hope taking it slow will benefit me. Any comments on the gasket types?

Benesesso · 03-28-2008, 06:45 PM

I used a Felpro and it hasn't leaked again. My BHG was really very mild, no signs of heat and it was only slightly distorted. The head bolts had been retorqued ~50k miles, and it didn't leak until ~70k, so I am a believer that retorquing won't repair any early damage.

I confirmed my BHG by looking down the spark plug hole and finding a little water. Naturally it had to be #6 way in the back. I had the head resurfaced, and it was only out ~7 mils, IIRC. I just cleaned the block very well.

I think a NA engine would be a LOT easier to work on.

mkiiisupra · 03-28-2008, 09:30 PM

At least you know from this experience that mechanics are always right

87 Supra · 03-29-2008, 12:21 AM

Actually my mechanic said it was not a head gasket.

That’s why I posted this topic. I always thought it was but it didn’t have all the symptoms. I drove it some today and it bellowed white smoke for a few minutes then stopped.

03-28-2008, 03:52 PM	#2
87 Supra Intake Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 37	She Blew! Well it looks like I was nursing a bad head gasket the whole time. It finally blew two days ago. She started bellowing white smoke and started running a little rough. I parked her in the garage and haven’t started her since. I have a few questions for the HG pros out there who have done this job before. I have never worked on major engine components on this type of car before but I’m up for the challenge. That being said I have found a few sources for gaskets and was hoping some of you could point me down the right path. From what I have read most people go straight to there Toyota dealers but the one I usually deal with here is very pricey on parts. I found a few external web based companies that offer gasket kits made by Felpro and Ishino. I was contemplating the Felpro kit. Has anyone ever used this one before? Any advice on it or should I just buy it from the dealer? I want to make sure all the gaskets fit right and I have heard stories about the Valve cover gaskets on some sets not fitting properly. http://www.toyotapartscheap.com/ http://www.tpartswarehouse.com/catalog/?N=11790+4294966978+1725+11921+5774 http://www.innerauto.com/store/?D=toyota+supra&Ntt=toyota+supra&Dx=mode+matchallp artial&Ntk=Main&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&N=4294966 978+4294967259+2471&Nty=1 __________________

03-28-2008, 05:08 PM	#3
Benesesso 3" Exhaust Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 145	If your Supra is a turbo you are in for a LONG workout. I'd put the car on a trailer and get it to "IHateHacks;s" garage now. It took me a month to replace the HG on a 1990 turbo, and I'd never do it again. I somehow damaged a nerve in my leg and spent the next YEAR on painkillers. __________________ "You see, wire telegraph is like a very long cat. You pull his tail in New York and his head is meowing in Los Angeles. Do you understand this? Radio operates the same way: You send signals here, they receive them there. The only difference is there is no cat." A. Einstein 1988 and 1990 Turbo Supras

03-28-2008, 05:17 PM	#4
87 Supra Intake Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 37	Sorry to hear about the leg. She’s not a Turbo and I have all the time in the world to work on her. She’s my driver but I only use it on Fridays and my wife can cover me as needed. It does look like a big job but I hope taking it slow will benefit me. Any comments on the gasket types? __________________

03-28-2008, 06:45 PM	#5
Benesesso 3" Exhaust Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 145	I used a Felpro and it hasn't leaked again. My BHG was really very mild, no signs of heat and it was only slightly distorted. The head bolts had been retorqued ~50k miles, and it didn't leak until ~70k, so I am a believer that retorquing won't repair any early damage. I confirmed my BHG by looking down the spark plug hole and finding a little water. Naturally it had to be #6 way in the back. I had the head resurfaced, and it was only out ~7 mils, IIRC. I just cleaned the block very well. I think a NA engine would be a LOT easier to work on. __________________ "You see, wire telegraph is like a very long cat. You pull his tail in New York and his head is meowing in Los Angeles. Do you understand this? Radio operates the same way: You send signals here, they receive them there. The only difference is there is no cat." A. Einstein 1988 and 1990 Turbo Supras

03-29-2008, 12:21 AM	#7
87 Supra Intake Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 37	Actually my mechanic said it was not a head gasket. That’s why I posted this topic. I always thought it was but it didn’t have all the symptoms. I drove it some today and it bellowed white smoke for a few minutes then stopped. __________________

03-21-2008, 01:47 AM	#1
jfunez 12psi boost Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: georgia,usa Posts: 338	you might wana check or search on the frequently asked questions....good luck......you'll be amazed at how much information has allready been asked and answered many times..

03-28-2008, 09:30 PM	#6
mkiiisupra Lexus & 550's Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 570 Blog Entries: 1	At least you know from this experience that mechanics are always right __________________ 1990 Toyota Supra Turbo A/T ------------------------------------------------ Questions about oil? take a look http://www.supramania.com/aehaas/

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