Hey guys,

I have a huge problem and I'm hoping I can get some help of any kind. I drive a 2006 TC with an Injen CAI, DC headers and a Magnaflow exhaust system. The CAI and headers I installed on my own, thanks to the wonderful DIY threads on here! The exhaust I had to get welded on so I took it to a shop. Anyway, after driving the car for roughly 1.5 years and racking up about 30k miles after the mods, my car started to overheat. I took it to a shop and was told I blew my head gasket. The mechanic states the problem lies in the headers because I didn't install a "brace" to keep the engine stable? He also said that oil and water was going into the engine cylinder because of excessive heat (again, due to the headers). So now he thinks my car will continue to overheat because of the damage that has already been done (even if I reinstall stock headers). Any opinions? Anyone with the same mods and have the same problem? This is really frustrating because I love my car and have already put in alot of money into it!

Thanks in advance!

 

no, what happened is you didn't use a donut gasket or flex pipe between the header and your exhaust, so there was no flex in your exhaust system. so welding the exhaust to your header was a huge mistake. it should have nothing at all that would effect your cooling system. whoever installed your header made a fail.

 

If you blew your head gasket, you would get white smoke out the tail pipe as your engine is burning coolant. As far as the mechanic suggesting the header to be the cause, I would check under your car and see if there are damages to the down pipes of your exhaust. I never heard of headers to be the cause of a failed head gasket, but I do see what the mechanic is saying without having that bracket support. If anything, I believe your headers would crack somewhere with impact before it takes out a cylinder head gasket.

Have you checked your thermostat?

 

If your car is still under warranty you could slap the stock stuff back on there and take it to the dealer.

 

i have DC headers but mine connects with the s pipe by donut gasket and can flex. i wrapped my headers well and actually my temps have decreased after i installed them. i think welding it just may have caused it as drax stated.

 

exactly why dealers dont want to fix anything under warranty these days

 

Thanks for the input guys. Sorry, let me clarify a bit more. The headers ARE NOT welded directly to the exhaust. They are bolted to the stock piping with the donut gasket used. I will be reinstalling the stock headers (so the DC's will be on sale). =) I will try to go to the dealership and get another opinion. I hope they don't get ____ed, but hey, Scion's are made to be modded right?!

 

the dealership might not wanna be messing around with modded tc's....but tc's are meant to be modded......some will buy a tc and leave it stock,95% of others will make it
there own unique ride

 

Good way to screw the system and make it worse for everyone. Good job.

 

Honestly you guys have ____ty dealers, I'v taken my car in with full I/H/E boltons and the dealer loves my car lol. Been in there when i moneyshifted for valve tightening or adjustment whatever you call it and there like ah no problem we can cover it under warranty. <3 My toyota dealer. Many other issues as well pretty sure dealers shouldnt care so much since its coming out of Toyota's pocket not the dealer in the end.. along with when cars are sold they come up with a price assuming all factors including cost of repairs. aka the company wouldnt survive without having somewhere in the accounting books that things breaking would take from