Toyota Celica: Head gasket failure — ST205 GT-Four (3S-GTE turbo)

The ST205 Celica GT-Four uses the 3S-GTE turbocharged engine in a higher state of tune than the MR2. Head gasket failures are well-documented on this generation, particularly on cars that have been remapped or run on incorrect fuel grades. The multi-layer steel (MLS) gasket Toyota fitted from the factory is susceptible to failure between cylinder 2 and 3 or at coolant passages if cylinder head surface finish is imperfect at reassembly. A failed gasket allows combustion gases into the coolant circuit, causing coolant loss, white exhaust smoke, and rapid overheating. Many ST205s have been remapped by previous owners, increasing thermal and pressure loads.

• White smoke from exhaust particularly when warm
• Sweet coolant smell from exhaust
• Coolant level dropping with no external leak
• Bubbles in coolant reservoir
• Milky or frothy oil on dipstick or filler cap

1. 1

   Check oil filler cap for mayonnaise-like emulsion.

2. 2

   Use a block tester (combustion gas detector) on the coolant reservoir with engine warm.

3. 3

   Check coolant colour — chocolate brown indicates oil contamination.

4. 4

   Request a compression test across all four cylinders.

Parts involved: Head gasket, Turbocharger.

$2,000 to $5,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

• “Has the car ever overheated?”
• “Has a head gasket or cylinder head repair been done?”
• “Has the engine been remapped or had any power modifications?”

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.