New owner of an 03 v6. No codes. A little white smoke coming out of the exhaust at start up that goes away after a few seconds. Coolant is below low line in the reservoir, but I don't know when it was last topped off or changed. Previous owner did not put Toyota coolant in. Khameleon was put in after a flush at some shop. I'm really hoping there isn't an issue.

Has anyone tried the chemical tester kits? If so, which one is preferable, and have you had success? Also, would a compression/leakdown test cause/worsen the problem?

Does anyone have positive confirmation that the early 4th gens use Toyota Red LLC, instead of premixed pink? Mine is an 03, and I just read in another forum that red is supposed to be used in the 03.

You do indeed need the red.

We used a radiator exhaust gas tester on mine and it came up negative. We used a borescope with an iPhone and saw coolant in #6 after sitting.

Do you have any pics?

Heres the thread I just started with my pictures after inspecting Cylinders 4 and 6.

Borescope pics. Head gasket failure?

Headgaskets can fail in several ways...which will need different methods of detection.

A blue juice test at the radiator will only detect if combustion gasses are leaking out of the cylinder into the cooling system, but won't detect if coolant is leaking into the cylinders. Just because one condition exists does not mean that both exist.

Got a master seal kit from Toyota to day. What are the bolts the are required to be replaced for a head gasket? I have the head bolts orderd.

I think the instructions call for new exhaust manifold nuts or studs or something but why o that really? Mine haven't fallen off yet.

Hello every. I recently traveled a good ways from home to buy a 2003 4runner with 130k that has kept up decently. It is a Limited and only problems I can really find are it needs struts(non xreas system), has very minor leak on a seal on left side front diff output shaft, ans brakes work but feel kind of soft. Not sure if thats just how they are but everything else I drive the brakes kick in way earlier in the pedal. Anyway after getting it home and doing some reading I came across all these threads about the head gasket issue with 2003-2005 and I felt like I could taste my a**hole after reading this stuff. Mine doesnt appear to be bad but now I feel like reselling even at loss and getting Tahoe or other pushrod engine. I've always been a Chevy guy bur heard how great Toyotas were so I thought I would give one try and now I have some buyers remorse.

Why? It's not leaking so worry about it? That's like worrying about getting struck by lightning. Sure, it could happen but it's not likely. You're buying worries that you don't need.

I see your point but I see to be a guy that has bad luck so I assumed I would get it. I didnt read wvery page but it like 04 and 05 were worse for some reason than 03? Maybe i will get lucky with my 03. Do you know if I buy a motor from a wrecked 06+ would it be direct swap? Sometimes that stuff is on Copart for crazy cheap and I could have a spare motor if the 06+ fits everything the same.

I too own an 03 V6, since new and wasn't happy when this thread popped up. However, after reading every single page , the 03 cars suffered the failure at a far, far lower rate than 04/05. Why? No clue and I posted this question to the forum and no one had an answer. Sales numbers were similar to failures should have been as well but they are not so rest a little easier knowing that, statistically anyway, yours isn't going to fail.

Good to know. My wife has an 07 and I wouldnt mind doing a 5 speed transplant if I ever have to do a motor. I would just buy a wrecked rig for both. Has anyone done that swap?

I just looked and seen mine has a build date of May 03 so kind of late build for the year.

I just got my brothers old 2004 which was burning coolant. I've done testing and confirmed I have a HG failure... After doing a lot of reading I've realized its a very common issue, but I had a few questions:

-What replacement Gaskets are people using? Auto parts store? OEM?
-Anything else I should replace/repair while I have the motor apart? Water pump looked common (OEM or aftermarket).
-Any good write up's for the repair?

Meh. I bought my well-maintained & documented '04 in 2014 with 130K. Now at 215K with zero engine issues.