Head gasket coolant leak???

Hint: Don't go to an oil change shop. Go to a real mechanic.

Or it could have been just an honest mistake.

That's not to say that there aren't some shops that do crap like this.

Jeff

I am not a fan of quick oil change places because many do not hire competent auto technicians. Check your local Toyota dealer for their regular oil change prices - you may be pleasantly surprised. The one closest to my house in suburban Chicago charges $21.95. Of course, their prices for other services are higher than the oil change places, but you are free to chose which services are performed at which location.

I wouldn't be in a rush to start pricing head gasket or engine replacements. Top off the coolant in the radiator and fill the overflow bottle to the "hot" mark and monitor the coolant level in the overflow bottle, topping off as necessary. As the air is purged from the system, the coolant level in the overflow bottle will drop a little and then stabilize. If it keeps dropping, you have a coolant leak but if it stays stable, then your mechanic's diagnosis was incorrect and you do not need a head gasket replacement.

By the same token, how many competent auto techs want to be doing oil changes for a living?

None of them are within a few miles of me. I think both of the closest are about 12 miles away.

Absolutely agree, and thank you.

It may just be the "we see a woman coming" syndrome. Know what I mean?

Let us know what you find, we'll steer you in the right direction!

Hey, remember me? I was hired by a Toyota dealer and was doing oil changes on Saturdays!

Boy, was I SCARED!!!! I have been changing my own oil for 22 years now! But, this was NOT my car! Did I put the filter on tight enough? Too tight? Enough oil? Too much oil? Did I put the drain plug on properly? Is it tight enough?

Funny, in my case, I was scared enough to do it the correct way!

And I have to admit, I like whoever took over designing the oil system on modern Toyotas. The filter isn't under the exhaust manifold any more, or behind the intake plenum on the rear of a transverse-mounted engine. You lift the car, the plug is here, and the filter is about 3 inches from it, upside-down so when you remove it all the oil stays in it, in an easy place to grab. Thanks, guys!!!!

$2100 for a BHG is an "Honest Mistake"?!?!?!?!

I got some prime beach front in Florida I'll sell you cheap!!! ;)

Even if there is a coolant leak, it does not mean that you need a new head gasket (although you may). It only means there is a leak. The leak may be elsewhere like the water pump.

There's an old adage: "Don't blame on malice what you can explain by stupidity."

I suspect that some of the folks changing oil at those quick places think just the opposite... "It's not my car so I'm not worried if it come out right or not."

For the most part, changing the oil on a Toyota is not rocket science, even on the first generation van and Previa!

Yeah, but they sure put the filters in awkward places!!

My 1974 Corolla had the filter right up front, right in view, easy to grasp...and 'right-side up', so when you spun it off the oil went all over the place.

But that was 1974...who cared?

Thanks! I'll remember that one!