# Dad needs help getting Toyota running **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** toyota\ **Created:** [October 5, 2019, 7:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dad-needs-help-getting-toyota-running/150149 "2019-10-05T19:58:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Severin\_Hannula](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/severin_hannula/32/17794_2.png) [@Severin\_Hannula](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Severin_Hannula)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2019, 7:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dad-needs-help-getting-toyota-running/150149/1 "2019-10-05T19:58:09Z")
Hello helpful friends, Just bought 1989 Toyota pickup. I’m leaking water from where the exhaust manifold connects to the head. Is that a sign of a head gasket issue? Also when I removed bolts to inspect it further they stripped. The truck isn’t starting. Could a lack of water pressure cause a no start?Uploading: C6ED9B8B-F263-4270-B239-CE5CA0388BE6.jpeg… ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2019, 8:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dad-needs-help-getting-toyota-running/150149/2 "2019-10-05T20:03:03Z")
> [@Severin\_Hannula](#): > > I’m leaking water from where the exhaust manifold connects to the head. That’s one sign the head gasket could be leaking. > [@Severin\_Hannula](#): > > Could a lack of water pressure cause a no start? No, Lack of water won’t prevent the engine from starting. > [@Severin\_Hannula](#): > > Also when I removed bolts to inspect it further they stripped. Explain what you mean by this? Tester ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2019, 8:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dad-needs-help-getting-toyota-running/150149/3 "2019-10-05T20:14:47Z")
Reminds me of some of the struggle I had with my $50 neglected 1979 Toyota 4X4 pickup. At least one hole for an ex man bolt was stripped and I tapped it out to a larger inch-based diameter. Seems unlikely the steel bolt would be damaged; the aluminum alloy head would be area where damage occurs. Not starting: explain what happens and what doesn’t happen when you turn the key to Start. ---
**Author:** ![Cougar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cougar/32/21348_2.png) [@Cougar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cougar)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2019, 11:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dad-needs-help-getting-toyota-running/150149/4 "2019-10-05T23:43:24Z")
The water could be an indication of a blown head gasket. It could also mean there is a cracked cylinder or head. You need to check for spark and check the condition of plugs for clues to the “crime”. Check to see if fuel is getting to the plugs. If all that checks out you may then want to check the cylinder pressures. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2019, 12:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dad-needs-help-getting-toyota-running/150149/5 "2019-10-06T00:25:56Z")
30 yrs old. Fixing it up for occasional use? Or daily use? ---
**Author:** ![RandomTroll](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/randomtroll/32/12184_2.png) [@RandomTroll](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RandomTroll)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2019, 6:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dad-needs-help-getting-toyota-running/150149/6 "2019-10-06T18:55:28Z")
I have an '87 that works as well as new. Age is no reason to ditch this car, if that’s what you want to drive. The water pump busted a seal on mine 15 years ago. Replacing it was easy and cheap. That doesn’t sound like your problem though.