[resurectedvikin]

I just want to get a thread going that is in regards to cracked heads.

Basic info will be like this: just copy and paste the template below

Year:________
Model:________
Milage/KMs(specify):____________
Driver Side/ Passenger side (specify):_______________
Which Cyl:_______________



I'll start with mine

Year:2000
Model:4runner limtied
Milage/KMs(specify):324000 kms
Driver Side/ Passenger side (specify):driver side
Which Cyl:middle cylinder




YIKES PRICEY!

Stupid yamaha engineering..

[brian2sun]

Year: 1997
Model: 4runner SR5 3.4L
Milage/KMs(specify): 205K mi.
Driver Side/ Passenger side (specify): Both!
Which Cyl: I don't remember now.

[kegelinanger]

Year: 2000
Model: 4Runner Limited
Milage/KMs(specify): 154,508 mi.
Driver Side/ Passenger side (specify): Both
Which Cyl: Don't know, luckily it was the PO's headache lol

[resurectedvikin]

there have to be more of you out there!

[Baja Runner]

From browsing 4runner forums for almost a decade I've only read of about 5 guys who had a cracked head?

[BrianSD_42]

I believe it is more common than most people think and it is due to normal wear and tear.


How many people on this forum are really above 200,000 miles? Not that many.

I suffered a head failure at 199,800 miles and I would expect it on another 4Runner to happen between 180 - 225k.

Year:1997
Model: V6 Limited
Milage/KMs(specify): 199,800 miles
Where: CYL #3

Both sides were pretty fried. The Toyota mechanic didn't want to save them for refurbishing or anything like that because they were so gone. He threw them in the trash (I know because I made him pull them out of the trash so I could look at them)

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-ge...-now-what.html


Owner maintenance: meticulous maintenance for over 10 years. I bought the truck in 2002 and have taken care of it ever since. This failure was from normal wear and tear. Brian2Sun also took care of his truck so don't assume that it is an issue with the owners.

Once more - THERE ARE NOT THAT MANY FORUM MEMBERS with over 200,000 miles. Most of you are between 125,000 and 175,000.


Does anyone here work at Toyota dealership or shop? Please weigh in. I find it hard to believe this is really that rare at 200k.


Results:

$2,700 + taxes in parts and labor. The Truck Shop in San Diego installed (2) new aftermarket heads by JE; $800 each. I don't know very much about the parts but I trust the shop.

Back up and running again with 0 issues.

[BrianSD_42]

Year:2000
Model:4runner limtied
Milage/KMs(specify):324000 kms
Driver Side/ Passenger side (specify):driver side
Which Cyl:middle cylinder

Translated: 200,880 miles (not surprising )

[BrianSD_42]

Click this link to see a Google search of all T4R listings with the keyword "cracked head"

toyota-4Runner - Google Search

[PitbullRescuer]

Dislike this thread very much, I'm at 192,XXX. Don't jinx me guys.

[Hatteras-surfer]

yeah no doubt what a downer thread.

[HCurphy]

I think this thread is fantastic. This is great info to compile-this and the similar thread on the freqency of the milkshake are my favorite threads based purely on the potential they have to improve one's ability to make informed decisions.
(by the way 270k miles and no cracked head yet, fingers crossed; "come on million mile motor")

[combatmedic]

205k no cracked heads *knocks on wood*

[PitbullRescuer]

Curious. You guys that have experienced the cracked heads, did the engine overheat at all? Or was it exposed to extreme temps either way? Just wondering if it's a temperature thing or more of a casting defect in the heads themselves.

And if it is a casting defect, you guys that had two cracked heads, what are the odds that the defect showed itself in both heads at the same time?

[BrianSD_42]

For me:

1) only one head was cracked but I did both because I had the $ and am in it for the long haul with this truck.

2) the second head was just on its way out, trust me it looked like a 15 yr old engine part.

3) my truck never overheated, I took it in as soon as it started missing on CYL-3.


The cracks were due to normal wear and tear.

I would not call it a defect. A crack at 100k mi might be a defect but 200k, that is just wear and tear. The metal gets worn down. I dont know of any car ever made where > 200k mi a head failure is considered a defect.

My 4Runner ran perfect for 14 yrs before any engine failures occured. I consider it a great engine and just dont expect these thing to be rock solid past 200k.

I also think a lot of newb 4Runner owners have unrealistic expectations of reaching 300k miles. Yes it does happen but 200k miles is pretty damned good.

Sorry for being a downer but a 10+ yr old truck with over a 150k is a poor choice for a daily driver. What they are good for is camping and wheeling vehicles.

[HCurphy]

I agree with everything you say Brian, I just hope you wrong. I still hope that situations like yours are the exception and not the rule. (I daily drive my old girl and I'm a college kid living in a dorm, pretty far from "home", limited to the tools I own and can keep in the 4runner)

Anyway, I think im going to far off topic. I don't think this is all of the community that has experienced a cracked head, so lets keep them coming and try to get to the bottom of this phenomenon and its rate of occurrence.