dr_tony

Hello, I take it when you say "Get an oil + filter change and see what happens?" is it means that you are not going to do this work yourself. If you take it to a mechanic they should be able to tell you whether the head is bad or isn't. Before you do that check the colour of the oil and the smell, it should not smell burnt and should be brown or black. If it is milky then you may have a head issue. Also check for bubbles, any bubbles will be an indication of a head problem. Another check for head gasket issues is to take the radiator cap off (when car is cold, or cold enough not to spurt everywhere) and then start car and watch what happens. The water level will rise and come out the top eventually, but what you are looking for is small bubbles coming up. If there are you almost certainly have a blown head gasket. Another way that a head gasket issue manifests itself in these engines is external leaks of oil around the cam box area. There may be simply a leak in a hose or the radiator itself, this can be done visually while the engine is running at operating temperature. Roughly could be a symptom of lots of things, lots of small trips don't do much for these engines and fuel systems, try giving it a longer run perhaps. Hopefully it's not a head as these can go for a very long time if well looked after Good luck Tony

Yes, regular starting, preferably every day will help. One problem mine had was that the oil pump nut/impellor was put on backwards on the shaft, apparently this is quite common, you still get enough pressure usually, just not up to specification. Mine had what was supposedly a fully guaranteed (3yr warranty) rebuilt engine. Now that the nut is right oil pressure is good. Also sometimes aftermarket oil sensors for the warning light read differently to the genuine Toyota part.