ToyoTechs, Specializing in Toyota and Lexus Service

Overheating, even of a slight nature, is a problem that needs to be taken care of right away. Thermostats, worn “old” hoses and water pumps are a lot easier and cheaper to fix than head gaskets.

Head gaskets separate the block and the head of the engine. Pre-1980, heads and blocks were made of the same metals. Now they are lighter metals and very different. They expand and contract at different rates. The head is the one that normally warps from getting too hot - this is what causes a “blown head gasket”. The head gasket keeps the water jackets separated from the combustion chambers. When this separation breaks down, the water goes through the combustion chamber or oil and gas get forced into the cooling system, depending on physics. So a few bucks now, when an overheating problem is first detected, saves Large Dollars later.