cracked cylinder head

[mudplug]

Is cracking of a toyota 3L head a known common occurrence.

[SMOKEY]

Hi George, to make sure we are talking about the same motor as people sometimes get their model numbers wrong.
The 3L Toyota is the 2.8 N/A Diesel engine and to my knowledge doesn't suffer the same cracking problems as some of the other series engines. As with all diesel engines when you have got the throttle wide open and asking for as much power as the engine can produce you are creating very high combustion and exhaust temperatures and the higher the heat the more likely the chance of cracking. As stated before the only way to keep an eye on the temperatures and control with driving techniques is to fit and drive by an Exhaust Temperature gauge ( EGT ).

FITZY.

[monstr]

Hi George ,is that in the ute? bugger.If you need a ride out to the winch challenge tomorrow give me a call ..Steve

[mudplug]

Hi Steve, would love a lift. will Ring you at home this evening, Hi Smokey; it is the 2.8 non turbo. I keep an eye on the water temp gauge and it has never shown hot. I am not certain that it is a cracked head as I have not removed it yet. It started pumping the cooling water out of the overflow bottle so I had the compressions tested and the diagnoses is blown head gasket or cracked head, I can buy a head on trade me. If it was common for these engines to crack I will buy it now to save the truck being off the road any longer than necessary.

[tweake]

i would say fairly rare then again any light diesel head will crack especially when abused. clogged air filter and lead feet are common culprits. the poor temp gauge and a failed viscous fan can also do it.

[KiwiBacon]

Far from rare, I know people who've done it and spoken with engine reconditioners who just love them.

[Bushrash]

hey Mudplug
ive got an engine reconditioning shop here in Tauranga and as kiwibacon said yes very common with the 3l/ 2lte,,,not repairable,some people think they can and i see them back in a few months time.
you could go second hand but again be very carefull!!may get the same,,, make sure it has been crack tested and pressure tested ,,the best way to go is new and i always use genuine if theres a special on or have had a good run out of the kiwi cylinder heads from repco,the best thing being with theses two outfits is you get good backup and warranty.
Once you have the new head which is bare you will need to take it to a machine shop and get them to face your old valves and set the shim tappetts ,,,,let me know where ya are and i can recomend someone for you ,,,hope this helps
Bushrash

[mudplug]

Thanks for the advice guys, I have been at the Manukau winch challenge all weekend and have not had time to remove the head yet.