So I got this on my 2004 sr5 4wd yesterday. Brought it into the dealer and said I had a bad head gasket and it would be $4000. I said, wtf!

should i ask them for a compression test on this cylinder. I did replace the plugs about 20k ago. anything else I should look for and should I question them on this?

Oh look, another V6 HG failure.

You braggin cause you have a 4runner v8? Known problems with the v6?

Yea your're not the first. Have it replaced, Frank

Don't listen to this guy. The v6 is a great motor. Of course some will have issues and there are a lot more v6 models than v8. Go to an independent mechanic and get some other quotes and a compression test.

Find an article like this about the V6 and get back to me. The V6 uses high temp plastic as part of it's construction.....

Land Cruiser finally gets a V-8 (a first for any Toyota-badged vehicle), but the new 4.7L engine does not contribute to the new model's extra heft. Even with its cast-iron cylinder block, the dohc, 32-valve V-8 weighs 66 pounds less than the FJ80s 4.5L inline six.
Program boss Kondo admits he wasn't initially sold on the V-8. "We evaluated the (Lexus) aluminum-block car V-8 early on, but it did not have enough low- and midrange torque for our vehicle," he recalls.
So he chose displacement. The UJZ100 design spec required an iron block, with extensive ribbing for bulletproof durability. Manufacturing efficiency called for the Cruiser's block to be machined on the same Tahara plant line as the 4.0L Lexus car V-8. Thus both blocks share common bore centers, but the Cruiser's has the maximum displacement permitted by the Tahara line. The 94mm bore is 6.4mm larger and stroke, at 83.5mm, is 1mm longer than on the car V-8. Besides its iron block and more displacement, Toyota's new "truck V-8" also differs from its car cousins in combustion chamber shape (though valve angles are the same as the 4.0L), cam profiles, and intake manifold geometry. It has a stouter crankshaft, and the con rod big-end bearing shells are aluminum. Package efficiency was also critical; the V8's designers placed the water pump and starter motor inside the block's "vee" to save space.

Powerful 32-bit engine control and effective catalysis, plus Denso top-feed injectors and coil-on-plug ignition, help certify the new Cruiser as a Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) in California. Claimed output is 230 hp at 4,800 rpm, and 320 lb-ft of torque at 3,400. That's a boost of 18 hp and 45 lb-ft over the old inline 6. At presstime, city/highway fuel economy was estimated at 14/16 mpg, more frugal than with the six This basic V-8 will also power the '99 T100 pickup, although rumors persist that the T100 engine will have sohc cylinder heads.

If only that were true about the T100 getting the 4.7.

You said nothing about reliability "brah"...... All you posted was a bunch of specifications. I'm not saying the V8 isnt a great motor, I just think the 6 is also a great motor. Look through this thread, mainly the last page.

100k - 200k mile 4th gen v6's post up

What do you mean "another"??? The HG problem is a lot more common on the 2/3gens.
What is your point? I don't get it?
100% agree. The V6 is an excellent motor. Hope the OP finds a good shop to get it fixed!

^^^^x2 well said CookieRoe

Since this is "infamous" whats the 411 on this issue?

411? HG on a 4th gen V6 (1GR-FE), well, nothing really. The OP just has to get it fixed. This is typical problem for 2/3rd generation V6 4Runners. It totally sucks that it happened to him. Hopefully he can get it done cheaper elsewhere.

FRANK: your code is cylinder #6 misfiring. Could it be your plugs/coils?? How did the HG get involved?

411 = information as in dial 411 for information

I guess what im asking is what causes the need for v6 4r to need a new head gasket or more if there is more to it.

Well, they did a cooling systems pressure check and a block test. they said fluid was leaking.

by the way, are leaking head gaskets common on the v6's. Have a lot of others had this issue?