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He Asked Me to Replace the Head Gasket… I Refused — Here’s Why

SouthSideMobileBrakeService.

33,729 views

Customer bought a Toyota Camry and was worried it had a blown head gasket due to rough running.
Instead of doing a pre-purchase inspection, he booked me in for a post-purchase inspection to get a second opinion.
After checking the vehicle properly, I made the call not to replace the head gasket — and went through what was actually going on instead.
This is a good example of why it pays to diagnose before replacing major engine parts.
Thanks for watching and supporting the channel — it genuinely helps.

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20 Comments

@-CHeWy- 9 months ago

These old Camry 2.2L engines are amazing. They just go and go and go.

@nicko6710 9 months ago

Good work
Brushes not magnets

@JOHNSMITH-if9jr 9 months ago (edited)

i worked for Bosch in clayton Melbourne for decades They're called brushes just change the regulator. and are so easy to fix , and also that alternator was made in clayton Melbourne Australia. 11:24

@brianvogt8125 9 months ago

Here's a man who knows his limitations (Dirty Harry would be impressed) – still learning how to use an OBD-II scan tool, which will be very useful with later model cars. My Camry is 12 months older than this one, and its computer isn't divulging much info – just rpm & fuel trim. The battery & alternator tester is still the correct tool for this job. Well done!

@espghia6607 9 months ago (edited)

Just change the brushes on the alternator. Socks and slippers made my day! Hahahaha

@Frostysensei_za 9 months ago

I was told to buy a new alternator by a mechanic, did some youtubing and learned how about alternator regulator and replacements.. Did the job myself and the charge is great 🎉

@bears2604 9 months ago

I'm glad you blurred his face, I couldn't make out who he was honest!🤥

@kagiv 9 months ago

Alternator copper rings are gone, you can clearly see where it was by edge remain and wherw it is.

@Dannyvirk 8 months ago

I'm from New Zealand, and I can tell you and i'm sure you know it, but working in the sun ani't no joke. Thanks for content, keep it up.

@indyrock8148 9 months ago

Honestly its a nice Camry. If they made them new exactly the same they would probably still sell well.

@z3r067 9 months ago

I enjoyed watching this video. Just to note at 1:48, you can see the very different color of the coolant in the rad vs the coolant in the overflow bottle. Brown vs pink. Quite strange if the whole cooling system has been overhaled why would the coolant be that horrible brown color? Also unsure if pink coolant is backwards compatible with the green coolant it should have. The 5sfe motor is great but a neglected cooling system down the line can lead to an overheating cylinder head and thus a blown head gasket. Id suggest a full coolant flush (coolant drain at the back of the block included). That coolant in the rad is nasty.

@FromTheMosh 9 months ago

Those old camrys are surprisingly comfy cruisers.

@gordonflash8976 9 months ago

Best video I have seen on cars for a while. Thankyou.

@Pablosworld90 9 months ago

Brushes and you can change them and make sure the spring behind is pushing them out .

Toyota with 170k on it is still new that camry will go for another 700k

@danstevens2204 9 months ago

I’ve seen mechanics replace $1600.00 alternators on Ag and Construction machinery instead of replacing the $100 regulator which includes brush holder and brushes. Although if you really wanted you could replace brushes only for far less. Obviously this depends on make and model of alternator. In my experience people are far more inclined to replace complete components these days instead of repairing original. Assuming due to a lack of both knowledge and a level of production that deems repairs as uneconomical if even possible.