Toyota Repair: 1989 Toyota pick up V6 chugs at idle, radiator pressure tester, toyota 4wd


Question
I have a 1989 Toyota 4WD that chugs at idle and is blowing a lot of white smoke; it doesn't smell like coolant but more of a burnt smell.
(I had the fuel pump replaced about 4 months ago, due to a similar chugging at idle and a miss at higher RPM but I didn't have the smoke issue.)

Answer
I would bet my paycheck that the #6 Cyl headgasket is blown.
Its the one to the rear on the drivers side.
If you keep driving it you might KILL the motor.

Take the #6 spark plug out, pump up a radiator pressure tester to 10-14 PSI. Wait 5 min then crank it over. Youll probably see coolant shoot out of the plughole like a water cannon. Wear safety glasses.

If they were never done, it may fall into a Toyota Sevice campaign. Check with the dealer

Mike