Lex3486 Posted December 27, 2003 Share Posted December 27, 2003 Finally got started on my car today! We've got about halfway into it and are doin good so far; only problem we've had is that we can't get the pulleys on the camshafts loose, but my dad's workin on it. I'm so ready to get it back on the road; it's been at least a month since I've driven it! Wish me luck! B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lex3486 Posted December 27, 2003 Author Share Posted December 27, 2003 Okay, why can't I ever get pictures to work right on here??? <_< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amf1932 Posted December 27, 2003 Share Posted December 27, 2003 The resolution is much too high for the internet. It should be 72dpi. If you send them to me I can correct them for you, and then send them back to you. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPI Posted December 27, 2003 Share Posted December 27, 2003 Sound like fun. Make sure you torque the headgaskets down properly. 45 lbs and then 90 degree. www.jpimportz.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lex3486 Posted December 28, 2003 Author Share Posted December 28, 2003 Well, we got the heads off today and did find some strange things inside there. The rear far-right hand side piston (not sure of the number) was a strange reddish orange color and had almost no buildup on the piston, unlike the others; we think this is where the gasket was leaking. All the rest seem to be pretty uniform so we don't think we had any problems anywhere else. Now we have to get the heads cleaned and machined and get some new gaskets (replacing most of the ones involved in the whole teardown, just to be safe, unless they're too expensive...) Anyhow, since I can't seem to get the pics to work, I'm gonna send em to Alan if he'll tell me his email address so y'all can see what's up. I'll keep y'all posted, and thanks so much for all the help everyone's given leading up to this repair! Y'all have been lifesavers! ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amf1932 Posted December 28, 2003 Share Posted December 28, 2003 Lex: You can send the pictures to amf1932@aol.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPI Posted December 28, 2003 Share Posted December 28, 2003 Are you sure it's the headgasket ? not the freeze-plug? I'm very familiar with these V6 engine. Are you going to replace the valve steam seals? Let me know if you need any parts. www.jpimportz.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lex3486 Posted December 28, 2003 Author Share Posted December 28, 2003 Freeze plug? ...hmm, never even heard of it! Please elaborate! But anyhow, we found that the far driver side piston on the rear bay seems to be much cleaner than the rest and has a reddish-orange hue to it, indicating possibly that it's had a "steam cleaning" with antifreeze lol. Also, the gasket near this head looks a little suspicious, so...As for the valve stem seals, I doubt that we'll replace them, just b/c the car doesn't burn much oil at all, nor does it smoke except on initial startup, so I don't think we'll pay to have them replaced, and we don't really wanna do it ourselves. Tomorrow we're gonna attempt to find a good machine shop and get the heads cleaned, inspected for cracks, resurfaced, etc; also need to start pricing head gaskets as well as some other gaskets that we wanna replace while we're at it. The timing belt appears to be fairly new and the previous owner told us that it had been replaced recently along with the valve cover gaskets, so we're good there. Now all we need is to get it back together with new parts. Oh, and a miracle from God to get it back together correctly and in proper order! ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPI Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 I would replace the valve steam seals if I was you. You have everything out.....It would take another 3 hrs to do them. But it is up to you. Here are the gaskets that you need: headgaskets, valve cover gaskets and cam seals. If you need any help putting it back together let me know. Remember not to swap the cams otherwise it won't start. Also put the valve buckets in order. Good luck. www.jpimportz.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lex3486 Posted December 29, 2003 Author Share Posted December 29, 2003 Cam seals? Wha? Where do these go? Are those the black rubber oil seals that are on the ends of the cams where the cam pulleys go? I don't think I need new valve cover gaskets; they're new and they don't leak. I plan on just puttin a little gasket sealant on them when I go back with 'em. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amf1932 Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 Lex3486's pictures follow this post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amf1932 Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 Photo 1 of 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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Lex3486 Posted December 29, 2003 Author Share Posted December 29, 2003 Priced around today and found that Lexus sells a gasket kit for $340; this includes head gaskets, exhaust manifold gaskets, downpipe gaskets, intake gaskets, cam seals, valve cover gaskets, valve stem seals and fuel injector seals. Advance Auto sells a kit made by Felpro (a well established gasket manufacturer) for $260 that includes everything the Lexus one does only no valve stem seals; I wanna replace these too, so I'm torn between the two kits. Anyone had any experience with either? I'm thinking I should go with the Lexus ones b/c they're OE and they include the valve stem seals... <_< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amf1932 Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 I'd go for the extra bucks and get factory parts. I haven't done any heavy duty engine repairs recently, but when I did, I always found out, that's the best way to go. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKperformance Posted December 30, 2003 Share Posted December 30, 2003 Belive me for a couple of bucks you can;t compare the 2 in fit an finish and materials. Lexus oem all the way. And don't use gasket maker on top of the gaskets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lex3486 Posted December 30, 2003 Author Share Posted December 30, 2003 Thanks y'all; I think that's what we're gonna go with. Just hope they've improved em somewhat so they don't do the same thing again, but then again, I guess nothing, not even a Lexus, lasts forever eh? ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lex3486 Posted December 30, 2003 Author Share Posted December 30, 2003 Well guys, in the end, it all came down to price; both sets had the exact same parts, and the machine shop we took the heads to said that they do lots and lots of these for Lexuses (my local dealer sends em to them for repair :o ) and he recommended the FelPro set; said they're excellent parts and that he uses them himself, so I figure why not take the pros' advice? Especially when it costs less! Anyhow, dropped off the heads and valve stem seals and he's gonna clean, inspect and resurface em; also puttin the new valve seals in for us, so now all I lack is them doin that and us cleanin up the engine some, and I'll be back on the road hopefully by the end of this weekend! B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blake918 Posted December 30, 2003 Share Posted December 30, 2003 I'll be back on the road hopefully by the end of this weekend! B) I hope you can get your car back together soon, Lex. I hate having to drive anything(especially Suburbans...what awful machines!) but my Lex. It's easy to get spoiled to their smooth powertrain and ride. Another thing that is different from a lot of other cars, is the brake pedal firmness...it is just about perfect to me...not spongy but not a brick either. Good luck BTW, I'm sure JPI can get you a nice discount on the OEM gaskets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lex3486 Posted December 30, 2003 Author Share Posted December 30, 2003 Yeah, I hope I get it back soon too lol. And you're certainly right about bein spoiled by the Lex...try drivin a 6000+lb. Land Cruiser with only 185hp and spongy brakes w/o ABS and more body roll than even our Lexuses in the twisties...fun stuff. Oh well; it could be worse! Already bought the gaskets, or I might have consulted JPI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lex3486 Posted January 6, 2004 Author Share Posted January 6, 2004 Got the heads back finally. Ooh man, they look goood; I almost don't wanna put em back in, they look so good and they tested out good, so it's all gravy from here on. Wish me luck slappin it all back together! With any luck and no surprises, I'd bet I'll be back on the road with it by Friday, but we'll just have to see ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lex3486 Posted January 11, 2004 Author Share Posted January 11, 2004 Success! We got it back together last night. Started it up first time and discovered that we'd left a gas line loose on the fuel filter, so we lost about a gallon of gas on the floor . Then after we fixed that, tried to start it again and the battery was too dead, so we put it on charge. Finally started it a second time, and it idled funny; discovered we'd neglected to connect the new PCV valve to it's vaccum hose, so we did that and it purred like a kitten B) We proceeded to get a new battery and when we returned with it, I popped it in and turned it over and was about to go on my first test drive...well, the second I started it, I smelled an overwhelming gas odor, so I turned it off and proceeded to find the problem. All three fuel injectors on the rear bank were leaking gas everywhere like crazy, so I had to tear the intake off again. FINALLY about 7:30 (we started at like noon) I started it up and drove it. Runs like a top; much much more powerful and responsive (thanks to a good internal cleanup) and has much more throttle response. No overheating either. Now, I'm back to the transmission...it's still actin up. But at least it's driveable...well, it runs good...so much for driveable <_< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPI Posted January 12, 2004 Share Posted January 12, 2004 I didn't see this post lol....I'm busy with work. I used other gaskets set before but nothing can touch Toyota parts(beleive me I replaced at least 4 of these engine a week). I'm glad that got it back together. Make sure plug the power steering pump connector, otherwise you will run hot. HOw did you have the cam gear prockets? bank 2 lip inner? bank2 lip outter. Not too bad for a rookie. Let's have some , shall we? www.jpimportz.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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