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coolant in oil

Discussion in '3rd Gen 4Runners (1996-2002)' started by CharlyDoesSurf, Jun 4, 2024.

  1. Jun 4, 2024 at 10:20 AM
    #1
    CharlyDoesSurf

    CharlyDoesSurf [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2024
    Member:
    #40872
    Messages:
    1
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    4Runner 98 SR5 4x4
    Hi Everyone
    I am new to the forum. I have a 98 4Runner SR5 4x4 with 227000 miles. Last february I blew the head gasket. I had a shop do the repair. They pulled the engine out to replace a leaky rear main seal, replace the oil cooler who was completely clogged, shaved the head and replace the head gasket. Within a week of getting the Runner back I had a coolant leak in the oil. The truck was running great, thermostat gage was perfect, no white smoke, full power and heater worked

    I brought it back to the shop, they denied it was happening, told me a bogus story about my radiator being the root of the problem... I did a combustion test (twice) it was negative. I took the oil cooler out and pressure test it in a bucket of water. The oil cooler had no leaks. I brought the runner to another shop and had them check and re-torque the head bolt. They mentioned the heads were not properly torqued.

    I still have the same symptoms for every 30miles the level in the auxiliary coolant tank drops from the max line to slightly below the minimum line. No external coolant leaks, no white smoke, full power, thermostat gage is not rising, the heater works and coolant continues to leak in the oil.

    Is there anything I am missing to check?
    Is there anything I can do beyond redoing the head gasket or getting a different engine?
    am I a candidate for using a head gasket sealer?

    Thank you for your help,
    CharlyDoesSurf
     
  2. Jun 4, 2024 at 12:26 PM
    #2
    negusm

    negusm New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2019
    Member:
    #11745
    Messages:
    2,095
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2002 4Runner SR5 4WD
    Bad head gasket. Cracked head. Cracked block. Damaged oil cooler.

    I'd pull the heads and see how bad the shop screwed up. If head gaskets look good, send the heads to be checked. If those come back ok...then maybe new engine block?
     

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