1995 Toyota Camry Head gasket blows repeatedly after overha

Tiny
ROADS.ZX
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 132,000 MILES
I'm looking for an objective opinion. My Camry has been faithful but the engine (a 5 SFE) was developing a sludge problem. I went ahead and had the engine overhauled and installed by a reputable engine shop. Six thousand miles later the head gasket blew and the block was damaged. The car went back to the shop for a second rebuild and three thousand miles later the head gasket blew again. Bear in mind that all hoses, belts and the radiator were replaced the first time around.

We are now looking at a third rebuild with the shop standing behind their work; however, while they express their intent to scrutinize the rebuild, they appear somewhat baffled as to the cause of these failures and surmise there is an overheating problem outside the engine. They rebuild/ship over 100 engines a month and don't believe / see how they could be missing something in the rebuild that might cause this repeatative behavior.

I intend to install a secondary water temp gauge; however, while I 'd like to keep it I no longer trust the car and unless I can assure myself it won't fail again I feel I need to sell it immediately. ( I don't like the idea of passing along a potential major problem.) Can you suggest some ideas, perhaps beyond the engine, that might help isolate this recurring problem? Also, the exhaust system and catalytic converters were checked prior to the second rebuild.
Friday, March 28th, 2008 AT 7:59 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

You must look at the causes of over heating one by one.

My first question would be is the cylinder head porous. This is not very common but I have had it once in my business, and heard of it in a collages. Is the block warped? All the usually things are checked, water pump, cooling fans, radiator, air flow through the core, ignition timing, it is time that you started to look out side the square and think about the possibility of a porous head or block, I would consider scrapping the engine and re building a core sourced from a wreckers, as porosity is so uncommon you will not strike it a second time. Ask your engine builder about this option.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Saturday, March 29th, 2008 AT 3:13 AM
Tiny
ROADS.ZX
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Thanks for your insight; it gave me some ideas to work on instead of just crossing my fingers. I'll have to pay for the new/old cores but I like your idea. I'll mention your porous block/head idea to the shop and see what they say. Perhaps there's a test for this? Thanks again.
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Saturday, March 29th, 2008 AT 11:24 AM

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