trying to judge if V6 head gasket failure is not if, but when. mine is original at 154,000.

thanks for the help.

Not 100% sure what you're asking but I assume it's when did your head gaskets fail?

That being asked, I have the V8 so for me it's hopefully a non issue, BUT if I had the early V6 I would run the original head gaskets until it ever becomes a issue, but I would also err on the side of caution and have the funds set aside to get them replaced if the gaskets do ever go bad (just set aside $25 or more a week until you have enough to get the job done), not all early V6s experience the head gaskets failing, so the old saying of "if it's not broke don't fix it" comes into play and if the gaskets do fail it's usually not to the point of not being able to still drive the vehicle for a while, also if they never fail and at some point you wish or need to sell your T4R and get a newer one the funds set aside will help with the new purchase.

V6 with over 224k miles on the original HG.

@Seasparrow You may want to add in the title "V6 owners Only" or something like that. That way you don't get people like @AuSeeker voting who has a V8 and screwing up the Poll Results.

"Original OVER 200k"?

I’ll be curious to see the results here. I have an 05 with 202k on original head gaskets and still going strong.

I know in reality they can fail at any time/mileage, but I’ve been wondering by my 4Runner going this long without issues, if I’ve kind of avoided the main head gasket issue that can plague the early V6. Or... if it’s a ticking time bomb and I’m just going to have to do it eventually no matter what.

I’d be interested in seeing how many people have had to replace head gaskets at 225k, 250k, or higher.

No one can screw up the poll results by simply replying, as long as I don't vote in the poll, which I didn't, all is good.IMHO

Tried to add V6 but it appears that the title can not be edited. So i added it in the post.


Thanks all for the Vote

Head gaskets at 200k may not be bad but your valve seals are likely all crunchy at that point. Never hurts to replace those eventually.

I think for the v6 from 03 to mid-05 is the years that you need to worry about most. They changed the gasket to a new part number around then and the problem seemed to go away.

I have an 2004 that developed a head gasket leak at 187,000 miles.

Original owner of an 06 Sport, replaced head gaskets in 2015 at 220,920 miles. Now at >280K.

My 05 SR5 is still on the original head gaskets at >160K

My 2008 has just over 200k, something like 201,xxx. Original HG and no evidence of anything awry...

Maybe I'm lucky... But, I've done 2 coolant flushes/changes (at 100k and 150k) and about to do a 3rd. I've also been keeping an eye on the thermostat and water pump, not that I can see anything other than no leaks, etc. I did have a mystery coolant "leak" a while back, maybe a few years ago now, where I was loosing some from the overflow. I remember getting some crusties around where the overflow dump is. No other evidence or symptoms of HG issues. I did replace the radiator cap since it was a cheap, easy thing to try. Not sure if that was really it, but the mystery leak seemed to stop. Also, no overheats for me either....

Mine just failed this week. I will be getting it fixed and I am at almost 193k.

2005, 140k, still original head gasket

What signs should I look for? Just milky oil?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You will first notice coolant leak. My heat was blowing cold air when sitting still, but when I would pull out, the heat would be normal. This is indicative of low coolant. I checked it and had to add coolant to the overflow tank. Two weeks later, I checked the coolant and it was low again. I could see no leaks so...

Next you will get a rough idle at start up that goes away but it will throw a check engine light. The code will show a cylinder misfire, more than likely cylinder 4 or more commonly cylinder 6.

These symptoms indicate a head gasket failure.

I was told by a Toyota mechanic that the failure usually occurs between 160k and 220k. I am at 193k.

Whats the manufacture date on your 2003?