Mending the Achilles heel of the 7MGE

**EldarO** · 17-06-2006, 02:58 AM

Stitt, when was this revised gasket released?

if it was within the last 6 months, then mine is the revised stocker too.

Eldar.O.

**TheStitt** · 17-06-2006, 10:03 AM

yeah Eldar is has been quite recently. I think Mat got his in Jan and Toyota had to get mine in and get rid of their old stock in late April. It was me that alerted them to the change. As i got the part number from else where.

**whatthe?** · 17-06-2006, 01:02 PM

Just re-read this thread, sorry Joel if what I said seemed confrontational, it wasn't meant that way. What I meant was that if Toyota do infact make a metal gasket for 7M myself and others really would like to know what the part number etc. is, as theyre hard and expensive to find aftermarket.

**BigWorm** · 17-06-2006, 06:50 PM

I didn't read it that way at all, no need to apologise.
If my motor of choice had such a penchant for head gaskets I'd be just as interested in finding a better one for it too.

**EldarO** · 17-06-2006, 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by TheStitt

yeah Eldar is has been quite recently. I think Mat got his in Jan and Toyota had to get mine in and get rid of their old stock in late April. It was me that alerted them to the change. As i got the part number from else where.

mine was done around februrary...

although i recall my mechanic saying that he had a new gasket from toyota, when i enquired about MHG options, he said that he knew of one between stock, orginal one, and a full blown metal one.

so im going to assume it is the gasket you speak of, because thats easiest, and wont give me a headache thinking about it

Eldar.O.

**BrianRA23** · 17-06-2006, 10:58 PM

It sounds like the new Toyota head gasket will be the way forward - amazing that they have revised it after so long and I do wonder that without this information if I would have received the new one or helped them clear their old stock.

Skim head, deck the block and new ARP bolts and it should be good for what I need.

Thanks for all the info

**BigWorm** · 18-06-2006, 06:52 AM

Just out of interest, what's different about this revised one? What was it that needed to be "fixed" with the old one?

**amichie** · 18-06-2006, 07:00 AM

Toyota revised the gasket in 1991 from 11115 - 42020 to 11115 - 42021 . I dont think they will have stock that is that old.

**gttommy** · 19-09-2010, 11:13 PM

Does anyone know when it is still safe to add more torque to the studs, odometer wise?

My Cressida has 177,000 on the clock, but had major work done for the head gasket at around 135,000.

After reading this thread, I have an urge to get it torqued up, but the mechanic said it could be too late (and expensive), as the window of opportunity may have passed and too much force will break the rod inside the engine.

Car is pretty much standard with 7M-GE.

**BLACKCAT** · 20-09-2010, 08:46 PM

Is the engine displaying signs of a bhg? ...... if not ----> leave it alone.
Why would it be too expensive as its a easy two hour job?
The standard bolts should have been re-torqued to around 72ft/lb after a few heat cycles.

Break what rod in the engine???????????

**gttommy** · 22-09-2010, 01:11 AM

There is no engine overheating or coolant overflow so no signs of BHG yet.

I would like to prevent a 2nd BHG on the same car. The 1st BHG on this car occurred 45,000 kays ago (full head service, remove/refit cylinder head, pressure test, weld & repair, new VRS gasket set). I do not know what torque was applied at the time, my assumption is it would be done at factory recommendation (under 60ftlbs).

I guess 'expensive' is relative. Just to tighten the stud, it is relatively time consuming for the mechanic as he has to pull things apart to just to get access to the stud.

Btw, this is my second cressida. My first gave me a lot of headaches and had to sell it, but these cars are good just couldn't resist getting another.

**BLACKCAT** · 22-09-2010, 07:13 PM

If anyone knew how to permanently prevent a bhg on these engines they would be rich

There is really not that much to remove to gain access to the head bolts.
The only "special" tools you need is a torque wrench & a 10mm hexagon wrench, around $15 from Toyota ....(part #0904338100).
As your head was reconditioned not long ago it should last for quite some time.

Regular maintenance of the cooling system is important if you want it to last longer than normal:
* only use Toyota red coolant & deminerilised water (not tap water)
* ensure the coolant level is always adequate & never overheat the engine
* replace soft rubber coolant hoses, or better still use silicone ones

**petergoudie** · 25-09-2010, 12:53 AM

You can retorque the head anytime. On a Peugeot I owned the recommended period for setting the tappets (OHV) was every 12,000 miles but before doing this the manual said to retorque the head.

On my 7mge I retorqued the head after about 600km from a head gasket replacement and the bolt tensions had dropped off quite a lot.