Do aluminum heads typically blow their gaskets?

[Ed_Flecko]

I have a 2004 Toyota Tacoma with the 2.4 motor, and they have cast iron blocks with aluminum heads. My Sister gave me the truck and it seems to run perfectly. It has appx. 158,000 miles and has always been maintained by my local dealer where it was purchased or by a reputable, small auto shop.

From reading some of the other newsgroup postings, it seems like a pretty common occurrence that these motors blow their head gaskets. I'm wondering, as a general rule, if motors with aluminum heads are susceptible to problems warping and then blowing their gaskets? Or, is it more likely only if someone has neglected their maintenance, coolant changes, etc.?

Is there any special maintenance, tricks, tips, etc., to maintaining motors with aluminum heads?

Thank you,
Ed

 

[spasm3]

don't let it overheat, and change the spark plugs when the engine is cold.

 

[Chris142]

Our Tacoma has over 400k. Never touched the head gasket.

 

[Colt45ws]

If it does, its engine specific and not a general rule with even semi modern engines, for sure.

 

[147_Grain]

Keeping fresh antifreeze in the cooling system and regular LOF changes will go a long ways towards a proper seal between the cylinder head and block.

Most gasket problems can be traced to neglect, with a few design exceptions (Toyota not being one of them).

 

[Trav]

Aluminum head engines on iron blocks just don't warp their heads they also shear the head gasket.
The dissimilar metals have a different expansion and contraction rate so the head is constantly trying to move and tear the gasket.
This has for the most part been addressed with teflon based coatings.

This only really becomes an issue if they are overheated unless there is a design flaw.
Toyota engines are generally good, no real problems with this.

Maintaining cooling system cleanliness and the correct percentage of coolant is a must for keeping iron block corrosion to a minimum which when caught in the head could possibly create hot spots.
+1 on changing the plugs cold unless you get one seized in the head then you can try it warm. However never install plugs in it beyond warm to the touch.

 

[fdcg27]

Given the differences in the coefficient of expansion for aluminum and iron, this is a marriage that just shouldn't work.
Only thing is that many engines over many decades have been built with alloy heads on iron blocks and there are typically no issues.
Nothing to worry about.
I know of one iron head on aluminum block engine that was a POS, but that one also had no special head gasket problems.

 

[expat]

I have had verhicles with Iron blocks and Aluminium heads since 1977, I have only had one blow a head gasket, and that was due to a coolant leak that lead to overheating.

 

[Nebroch]

Changing coolant isn't enough. You'll also need to make sure that water pump, thermostat and fan system are doing their job.

 

[Ed_Flecko]

Originally Posted By: Nebroch
Changing coolant isn't enough. You'll also need to make sure that water pump, thermostat and fan system are doing their job.


Is it a good idea to replace my thermostat just for regular maintenance, so to speak?

Ed

 

[Ed_Flecko]

Originally Posted By: 147_Grain
Keeping fresh antifreeze in the cooling system and regular LOF changes...


What's LOF?

Ed

 

[147_Grain]

Lube
Oil and
Filter

 

[abycat]

Yeah stupid combo but keep maintenance up like any other engine and your ok. my engines are all steel or all aluminum. The versa has a twisted head that gets torqued straight.

 

[demarpaint]

Many years ago I'd say it happened a lot more often than now. I think if anything it is engine specific now, and certainly not industry wide.

 

[qdeezie]

The whole aluminum head gasket thing is from the throwaway GM engines of the late 70's/early 80s.

Technology has improved leaps and bounds by then.

Last vehicle I owned with an aluminum head/cast iron engine had a head gasket problem at 10,000 miles, but after it was replaced, I ran it up to 359,000 miles without a single head gasket issue.

 

[crazyoildude]

the ones that seem to need head gaskets usually need them around the 90,000 mark they are usually good engines..

 

[Cressida]

Agree with some of the others above that it is engine specific and not a general rule.

That said, the Toyota 2.4l from 2002 - 2004 has had examples with some of the head bolts stripping out and I will not take a chance on those years. You can google for more info. It is an expensive repair.

 

[hattaresguy]

Not since the 1980's no.

 

[artificialist]

Aluminum over iron doesn't cause head gasket failure, bad design does.

The GM 2800/3100/3400 (most aluminum over iron) is the #1 car I replace head gaskets on, however, the Ford Vulcan is iron over iron, and replace the head gaskets almost as much.

Aluminum over aluminum isn't always a solution either. Northstars were a nightmare.

 

[PandaBear]

It depends.

My Integra alum head warped twice, first time a bad radiator fan relay in a heat storm (110F). The 2nd time due to a bad Stant radiator cap that stuck close and create pocket in cooling system.

My Corolla at similar mileage is still going strong with no head gasket issue at all.