Looks like a lot of problems occur on pre-06. Was there an update/redesign for the facelifts? I realize it could be down to age and mileage. but there have to be plenty of 06+ with just as many miles as earlier rigs by now...

Yes. They quietly redesigned the head gasket part way through the 2006 model year.

+JEL. My truck was built in November 2005 and is a 2006 model year. The exact date I believe was 11-16-2005, but I don't have the manufacturing paperwork in front of me. I have it at home and I can try to dig it up and gather the exact date in Nov 2005 if that would help.

I had cyl 6 go out on my 04 4x4 4Runner with 170k. I replaced the gasket and resurfaced the heads and I'm at 181k now with no issues. Thanks for putting this thread together!

how much did it end up costing you?

Exactly the same for me.

Mine was about $950 for parts and machine shop. We also replaced bearings in all the pulleys, water pump, thermostat and every seal/gasket we came across including valve seals, injector seals, etc.

edit: about $250 was to have the machine shop clean, inspect, surface and install my valve seals and remove one or two broken studs.

That is good to know!, all the other posts I have seen are people freaking out about a 2-3k repair. Was this from a normal independent auto shop?

iBison did his himself which is why it's so much cheaper than everyone else. I do most of my own work, but wasn't going to do the head gasket. I got a quote at my independent's shop and at the local Toyota dealer. They were the same price. I paid about $2100 in labor and I supplied the parts which cost me another few hundred dollars.

Looks like one more to add to the list.
The slowest dying one.
My '92 got me too...GRRR!
This one was a 9/03 build, 2004 v6 SR5.

Started to notice a slight hesitation at start up, at around 43k.
Took an extra turn or two of the motor to start.
Never overheated.

Found the 'dreaded head gasket' thread a couple years ago and started to keep an eye an mine.
Pulled the plugs at 43k and #6 is darker than the rest.
Put in new plugs.

Lowest miles 2004? Just about to hit 70k. I do about 5k/year.
Did 3500+ miles on the Ebike in the last 3 years.

I checked the radiator for oil/gas with test kit...nada.
Not like the 2nd gen issue.

Slowly loosing antifreeze.
Put in a new water pump because it was dripping down the front of the engine.
Thought that helped the antifreeze loss, but I guess not.
Still slowly loosing antifreeze...through the #6 piston I am guessing, from the looks of others problems.

For the price some are paying I am thinking something like this looks better.
Can overbore cylinder, port and polish and cam. For not much more.
2003 - 2012 Toyota 4Runner (1GR-FE 4.0L VVT-i V6) Engine

This thread scares the $hit out of me!

I have been keeping an eye on it for a while now. I am just about to hit 150K on my 03.

I am slowly leaking coolant and it seems to be coming from the driver side radiator area. But I suppose that is better than losing coolant with no leak.

On rare occasions I hear the "water fountain" sound upon a cold start. I do not know if that could be due to the leak. Hopefully...

Also I am getting the thick white exhaust. but only when it is cold. It goes away once the engine is warmed up. This may be due to the cold weather... I may just be being paranoid on this one.

Runs and drives fine. Starts are strong and smooth. Never even come close to over heating.

So far I think I am in good shape... Hopefully... I just have to get that slow coolant leak fixed.

...again, this damn thread has scared the $hit out of me.

I also get white exhaust smoke when its cold out but like you said it seems to go away when the engine is warmed up. I don't think I have any coolant leak but I keep an eye on it. I am hoping this is normal for these cars. I wish I hadn't read this thread either but I'm going to just keep driving my 4Runner until it throws a code or overheats.

Sorry to hear it, and I hope it's just a leak. I stalk this thread to see if '03s come up, as it's the year I own (269K miles). Bumping the chart from pg 8 of the thread (note: it hasn't been updated by the OP since August). The HG issue seems to be very uncommon for '03s. The only reasoning I've heard is "there aren't as many '03s out there." Who knows.

Sheet is getting to big for screenshots so here is the most up to date as of today.

Attached Files

4RunnerV6HG.zip (12.2 KB, 83 views)

Did not realize that the gas in coolant, coolant in oil tests don't work. The waterfall effect is still there, yet no coolant loss. I just did 4.8k miles in 11 days, so I expected something to come from it honestly. My #6 plug was quite wet, but I do have leaky valve seals.

Just got the news. My 05 - 6 cyl w/140k has all the symptoms, and I just got an estimate for 2700 for one side. Whether I have the work done or not, I'm going to call Toyota. Thanks for all the posts regarding this issue.