Head Gasket Leak

[Hershey]

come to find out that the '08 YARIS sedan has a leaky head gasket and will need to get it repaired later in the week . They used the dye test to locate it . I suggest others to pay attention to this issue . The leak is on the upper right side hand ( passenger side ) corner of the block . The car has less than 21,000 miles and noticed it about 6 months ago . May have been leaking from the time we bought it and progressed . The coolant seems to be fine . The reservoir is at the full mark when hot .

[UTVitz]

oh joy, at least you have warranty. I've had to deal with a head gasket twice on a miata and what expensive misery. I've got over 40k on my 08, so far so good. I'm trying redline synthetic just to see if my gaskets last any longer on the yaris. I know valvoline conventional did not help my miata one bit-after 80K it started leaking from every gasket it had. The synthetic is only a self indulged experiement on my part, I know of no facts to support my logic.

[Hershey]

we've used 5w-30 SHELL Full synthetic and PENNZOIL Platinum since 1,200 miles . Must of been that way from the factory . The car was bought when gas prices were over $4.00 and the YARIS was a hot commodity . Thus they pumped them out quick as they could to meet demand . Therefore , miscues are more likely to happen . The YARIS was manufactured in APRIL of '08 . TOYOTA wanted to pass G.M. and are getting a bad rep for their quality as G.M. and other AMERICAN car makers . They're not what they used to be . Next car may be a COLT or MAZDA . Very discouraged :thumbdown: . Wish the YARIS had a temperature gauge to monitor , maybe that would of helped . Or not , :iono: .

[Black Yaris]

just take it to the dealer... you are well with in your 3 year 36k mile bumper to bumper warranty

does not matter what manufacture (ford, honda, audi) they are mass produced, and anything mass produced is going to have a few bad apples.... and that is what warranties are for

[auxmike]

No temp guage, but I sprung for the ScanGuage II. Let's me watch that temp. with ease. :thumbup:

[Hershey]

been to the dealer twice . 1st time they said it was the oil filter leaking . Had to crawl under the car and take a few pictures of the leak to show them it wasn't the oil filter or spilled oil from an oil change . Don't have much faith in the help . If they can screw up an oil change , it's a bit concerning what can go wrong with the replacement of the gasket(s) . We could tell a few horror stories with other service centers in the past . I'm sure if it was your YARIS leaking oil you'd be somewhat peeved and worried as well . We just got 41.35 miles per gallon with a fill today . Maybe we should just pass . Sometimes the car is never the same after a fix .

[STC]

I bought the Yaris because my last car's 2.2L engine sprung a Head Gasket leak.

The 2.2L engine is notorious for head gasket leaks. The 1.5L engine is not. But, as Black Yaris says, "does not matter what manufacture (ford, honda, audi) they are mass produced, and anything mass produced is going to have a few bad apples...." I must agree!

I wish the Yaris has a Temp guage... :frown: The sure sign for my last car's HG problem was a slow progressive change in my temp guage reading.

[Hershey]

mechanic says there's not always oil in your coolant or coolant in your oil and can only leak oil . Is that the case ?

[Hershey]

just checked the coolant reservoir for the '08 sedan and is 1/2 way between LOW and FULL mark . Car has sat since 5 P.M. Monday . Hopefully not low due to head gasket . Could have been that way from factory :iono: . TOYO tech said the head gasket is only leaking oil outside of the block and not coolant internally . Hope he's right .

[STC]

mechanic says there's not always oil in your coolant or coolant in your oil and can only leak oil . Is that the case ?

Yes, this is the case! My old 2.2L car was not leaking the coolant into the oil case. It leaked out. If it were to leak internally, you would see white smoke from your exhaust... the mixture of oil and anti-freeze.

When you started the car you could see the anti-freeze slowly dripping out from the head gasket seem and evaporating on the block. The smell was apparent. I dropped approximately a 1/2 container of anti-freeze in 7-10 days!!!

The TOYO tech is correct...

[Hershey]

o.k. , thanks . Forgot about the sweet smell of exhaust . Years ago we had a NISSAN Stanza that you could smell it .

[fearturtle44]

Now that is bad luck. Least you won't have any out of pocket expenses and hopefully they will lend you a courtesy car during repair.

[Hershey]

don't forget this includes 2 YARIS with oil leaks . 2008 sedan with nearly 21,000 miles and a 2010 3 door with less than 6,500 . Highly suggest others to take a glance for this leak or others .

[Red Horse]

Then im lucky, my sedan is 70,000 miles and still no leak

[Hershey]

it's official . Both cars have the plastic head gasket leaking . See details under " 2010 Oil Leak " . Thanks for your input .

[auxmike]

Wow, this must be very upsetting, to say the least!:frown:

Consider making them take back the 2010. It's a NEW car!
Please keep us posted as things progress.....

[Hershey]

went for 179 mile trip yesterday and found more oil seeping from the head gasket today . Recleaned and wait for another spill . :frown:

[Yaris Hilton]

mechanic says there's not always oil in your coolant or coolant in your oil and can only leak oil . Is that the case ?

Yes, but the only way this can happen is if the leak ONLY lets oil from a pressurized oil passage going up through the block to the head leak to the outside, with no leakage involving cylinder compression or coolant. This is uncommon. Leakage of oil into coolant is also uncommon.

[Hershey]

well the coolant is remaining the same for both cars . None from tailpipe . No coolant / water ( dipstick or when oil changed twice for dino for both ) in oil pan or oil in the coolant of either YARIS . So , we must have the one you mention . The 2010 was driven for 3 days equaling 260 miles and no oil leak with temps above 80 , as the 2008 leaked for one trip of 179 miles on one 80+ degree day . I'm almost convinced that starting both cars with synthetic at the 1,200 miles is the cause . The 2008 has had synthetic up 21,000 miles while the 2010 for little over 5,000 miles . Hopefully the lesser use of the syn will help the leak stop for the 2010 . Hate to get both engines torn down . An acquaintance had to get a head gasket replaced at 5,000 or so miles on a FORD Focus under warranty and never ran that good after the fix . We'll keep our fingers crossed to have the leaks stop .

[Yaris Hilton]

You're absolutely certain this is a head gasket, the one between the cylinder block and head? Not a cam cover gasket on top of the head? I've never known a bad head gasket to only cause an oil leak.

[Hershey]

quite sure . The mechanic claimed it was , but a different spot in the same general area .

[Hershey]

YARIS HILTON , if you go to the newest picture in the " 2010 Oil Leak " thread , www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?p=490056#post490056, post no. 24 you'll see a RED CIRCLED area . In the far left you'll see a small black triangular area that's the head gasket (?) . That runs under the the lip ( cavern ) of the upper block all along the back to the other side of the block . So , has to be the plastic head gasket . The leak is on the top side of the cavern pictured ( fresh oil on fingers ) , where the plastic head gasket is more exposed , but not so easily to the human eye . That's why I needed a mirror to get that photo .

[Yaris Hilton]

OK. Just checking. Unusual problem.

[Hershey]

Thanks for your help and concern .

[Hershey]

Brought it in for head gasket replacement earlier . Drove it in for service manager to read mileage and look the car over . When he was looking for any imperfections he said with a sarcastic tone " Don't want to get blamed for anything " . When showed him a picture of the exposed gasket I took and a picture off this site of a tore down YARIS showing where the head gasket leaks the oil he says " I don't believe anything off the internet " . Then I asked if they would check the spark plugs for any fouling in case their was a slow internal coolant leak of cylinder 1 or others and replies " Only if the head mechanic looks at them and feels they should be replaced " and " Otherwise we're going to charge you for the plugs and labor and you don't want that do you ? " . Why not under warranty ? :rolleyes: . So he was a bit rude and ignored most of what we said and presented to him as if our heads were made of rock :mad: . Therefore it should be interesting to see how this works out . The car has been averaging over 40 m.p.g. the last 6 fill ups and if a good drop in mileage could tell of something not right with the repair . Took a pic of the fuel gage ( full ) and the miles on the car for any wrong doing .

[Hershey]

forgot to mention that I opened that hood and reached behind the hot engine where it leaks and scooped some fresh oil on my finger tip and showed it to him . He wouldn't even look where the oil came from . Says " It's the head gasket and that's all I need to know " . Wonder if we should of left with the car and went to another TOYO service center ? Thing is , they would have to put dye in it again and go through the whole process again . No one seens to think that I know what I'm talking about . Taking more time and money ( gas ) . :mad: . What's your thoughts ? THANKS

[Shroomster]

forgot to mention that I opened that hood and reached behind the hot engine where it leaks and scooped some fresh oil on my finger tip and showed it to him . He wouldn't even look where the oil came from . Says " It's the head gasket and that's all I need to know " . Wonder if we should of left with the car and went to another TOYO service center ? Thing is , they would have to put dye in it again and go through the whole process again . No one seens to think that I know what I'm talking about . Taking more time and money ( gas ) . :mad: . What's your thoughts ? THANKS

A. wouldn't need to put dye in again, it will still be traceable

B. Let him be a snot he isn't the one doing the work (you should have gone to the service DEPARTMENT mgr/similar manager, unless he gave you a card of his you probably were talking to the head service writer)

C. gas meter will not matter if they decide to run more tests, unless they empty the car, best advice is to take the car in with an almost empty tank, cuz they will more than likely have the car sitting somewhere idling with the a/c on at some point.

[Hershey]

How long does the head gasket replacement take ? Called the service manager and left message on how it was going and he called back over an hour later saying we wouldn't have it back until TUESDAY evening and the car was partially apart today and need to take their time because it's a big job and want to get it right . So thats today , tomorrow , and TESDAY for the fix . The mechanic who looked at it before said he had done a YARIS in the past . We're starting to have our doubts about what's said . They already have the head gasket and parts , so that's not holding it up . Hopefully they haven't done something wrong and are trying to correct it so to hide it from us . Do you think we should go there tomorrow to see how far along it is ? Will keep you updated . THANKS

[Shroomster]

How long does the head gasket replacement take ? Called the service manager and left message on how it was going and he called back over an hour later saying we wouldn't have it back until TUESDAY evening and the car was partially apart today and need to take their time because it's a big job and want to get it right . So thats today , tomorrow , and TESDAY for the fix . The mechanic who looked at it before said he had done a YARIS in the past . We're starting to have our doubts about what's said . They already have the head gasket and parts , so that's not holding it up . Hopefully they haven't done something wrong and are trying to correct it so to hide it from us . Do you think we should go there tomorrow to see how far along it is ? Will keep you updated . THANKS

I have no idea what book time would be for the head, I'm thinking maybe 4-6 hours...maybe more. (that's what is paid not how long it will take the individual to do the work)


I hate to say it but spiteful as it may sound, pushy customers are not what service writers and the techs like. you're being just a tad overbearing (its what I'm gathering from your posts)

You have to remember your car is not the only one there, They do not shove an-in progress car out of the way just for you. Also there are other reasons your car may not be worked on immediately, but those are too many to list.

You make an "appointment for drop off" not a "reservation for immediate service".

Let them do their job and then bitch when you get it back and something is wrong. don't take this post the wrong way I'm not talking down to you, just trying to offer some rationale.

[auxmike]

+1 :laughabove:

[Hershey]

was told by Service Department Assistant that the service manager said that TOYOTA does not let them know if the head cylinder gasket they removed from the '08 and sent to TOYOTA was to have any defects . :thumbdown:

[firemachine69]

I have no idea what book time would be for the head, I'm thinking maybe 4-6 hours...maybe more. (that's what is paid not how long it will take the individual to do the work)


I hate to say it but spiteful as it may sound, pushy customers are not what service writers and the techs like. you're being just a tad overbearing (its what I'm gathering from your posts)

You have to remember your car is not the only one there, They do not shove an-in progress car out of the way just for you. Also there are other reasons your car may not be worked on immediately, but those are too many to list.

You make an "appointment for drop off" not a "reservation for immediate service".

Let them do their job and then bitch when you get it back and something is wrong. don't take this post the wrong way I'm not talking down to you, just trying to offer some rationale.



His issue is not the time. His issue is the man's word, which clearly wasn't kept, and he is doubtful if they can do this job properly.


I wish I could tell if my own gasket was leaking, but I have so much rustproofing underneath, I doubt I'll ever be able to say.

[Shroomster]

His issue is not the time. His issue is the man's word, which clearly wasn't kept, and he is doubtful if they can do this job properly.
The way he typed his posts it looks to me like he has an issue with time and trust. I took it as I read it.



I wish I could tell if my own gasket was leaking, but I have so much rustproofing underneath, I doubt I'll ever be able to say.

^^^^ummm what?

I gather you mean the oil pan gasket? and even if you do, There shouldn't be any undercoating on any mechanical parts.

OR if you do mean the head gasket, then finding a leak of fluid would be easy as long as it is external. At least by a mechanics standards it'd be easy to find....

[firemachine69]

Not rubberized undercoating. Rustproofing. A very thick, sticky, grease-like substance that repels water.

[johnny_vitz]

Not rubberized undercoating. Rustproofing. A very thick, sticky, grease-like substance that repels water.


I think his point was that there shouldn't be any on the engine/transmission.

[firemachine69]

Over-spray is inevitable, as well, dripping from the hood is typical.

[johnny_vitz]

Over-spray is inevitable, as well, dripping from the hood is typical.

Mine is done every year too :thumbup: don't want rust. I just wash/clean my engine bay up. Which reminds me...I need to book mine soon!

Hershey...keep us updated. I'm sure the job will get done right!:smile:

[Hershey]

Sent an e-mail with pics about our experince to the owner of the TOYOTA delearship where we had the gasket replaced and haven't heard a word as of yet . Also sent a letter to TOYOTA about our experience with the service center and the dissatifaction with our '08 and '10 YARIS .

[Hershey]

Well , another owner of a 2010 3 door (48,000+ mis. , drives about 1,000 mis. per week ) we know also has the same oil leak from the head gasket of the #1 cylinder as our 2010 and that of the 2008 before the head gasket replacement which is fine thus far . Know this by checking his engine last THURSDAY and it had some black soot ( dried from heat of engine overtime ) along with a small amount of fresh oil on my finger tip . After discovering this I cleaned the area thoroughly and went back to check earlier today to find more fresh oil on the tip of my fingers . Recleaned it and plan to recheck in a week or so . Yes . I did check to make sure no oil was spilled from previous fills of oil and none was found . We also went to local used car that had a 2008 YARIS 3 door with 47,000+ miles . Luckily the car was unlocked so I could pop the hood to check for the leak . That too had the sooty black oil residue in the same spot . Over a month ago I looked at a 2008 YARIS sedan with 28,000 miles at a dealer and that had the sooty residue . I always lift up the plastic engine cover of every YARIS I inspect to make sure no oil was spilled .

[Hershey]

We've been given a 8 year / 125,000 mile powertrain warranty ( Platinum ? ) for free by TOYOTA for the 2008 :clap: . That's a relief . We're likely to keep the '08 sedan until it craps out :moon:.

[krusty]

that's very strange of the 15 or so 1nz-fe engines I have worked on and checked over in the past week, I still have yet to see one that has any sort of leak like the one you describe. Glad you got the free extended warranty the engine will easily exceed that coverage with normal maintenance intervals.

[Hershey]

We've been given a 8 year / 125,000 mile powertrain warranty ( Platinum ? ) for free by TOYOTA for the 2008 :clap: . That's a relief . We're likely to keep the '08 sedan until it craps out :moon:.

Got verification it's the PLATINUM . Hope to get the PLATINUM for free for the 2010 3 door after the head cylinder gasket is replaced in that .

[Hershey]

that's very strange of the 15 or so 1nz-fe engines I have worked on and checked over in the past week, I still have yet to see one that has any sort of leak like the one you describe. Glad you got the free extended warranty the engine will easily exceed that coverage with normal maintenance intervals. Thanks :wink: . Hopefully it's not an epidemic :barf:. Been a royal pain in the :moon: .

[auxmike]

OK, I made an HD video of the area in question.
Have a look!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVK_uBKotcU

[Hershey]

Thanks for the video . Can't get much more defined than that . Have to hook up the PC to the LCD t.v. for the HD and put it on loop . May even use the video as a screen saver . :biggrin:

[auxmike]

Glad you liked it!
Here's the camera I used to video it...:tongue: