5th Gen Head Gasket problem? - Page 2 - Toyota 4Runner Forum

a47chuck · 06-26-2021, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2021nightshade4x4

Specifically with red, yes. I wished they used green.

Hits Tacomas and 4Runners alike: Head gasket failure on 4.0 Toyota engines | Tacoma World

Here’s a good short read with pictures of what happens. It’s a GM article but all red OAT (organic) coolant behaves this way: http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20W...d%20Gasket.pdf

Plenty of anecdotes: Top 78 DexCool Reviews

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"But the Toyota 4Runner's V6 engine is completely different from the Toyota Tacoma's. The 4Runner has a 4.0-liter V6, making 270 hp and 278 lb-ft. The only available transmission is a 5-speed automatic. So, no, the Toyota Tacoma and Toyota 4Runner don't share the same engine."

Do the Toyota Tacoma and Toyota 4Runner Have the Same Engine?

EddieV4runnin · 06-27-2021, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2021nightshade4x4

No one wants to fess up but the red coolant (OAT) causes gaskets to swell more than green (IAT) and compromises the good factory seal.

I remember just enough of high school chemistry to know that it’s just as bad to keep adding fresh coolant because the new stuff is what REACTS, old stuff is stable and has already gotten into the gaskets and expanded.

You’re doing a good thing for the COOLING system keeping fresh coolant in there, but those engine gaskets keep having a fresh supply of red that has not yet reacted with the gasket material and expanded further.

Like the old LLY GM Duramax trucks with 300k+ miles on them have heads done at least once. Usually at around 160k. The ones without head jobs were owner maintained (read: oil changes only) and left the original coolant in or just topped it up as needed.

Counterintuitive as all hell but makes sense when you think about it. A manufacturer would never advise you to NOT get something done - they have a vested interest in you getting fluid changes and the subsequent engine work thereafter.

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Yeah that’s not what’s happening, besides that channel on YouTube is never accurate. They literally will make up problems that aren’t common to the vehicles. Pink or green doesn’t change anything, that’s just a dye. If you want to be accurate Asian manufacturers use OAT coolant with phosphates. American auto manufacturers like to use silicates. Phosphates based on their studies wouldn’t clog passages like silicates did. OP don’t worry about blowing head gaskets. Change out your coolant and enjoy your 4Runner. Have you ever heard of electrolysis?? Not changing your coolant will pockmark the pump and other components.

2021nightshade4x4 · 06-27-2021, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EddieV4runnin

Yeah that’s not what’s happening, besides that channel on YouTube is never accurate. They literally will make up problems that aren’t common to the vehicles. Pink or green doesn’t change anything, that’s just a dye. If you want to be accurate Asian manufacturers use OAT coolant with phosphates. American auto manufacturers like to use silicates. Phosphates based on their studies wouldn’t clog passages like silicates did. OP don’t worry about blowing head gaskets. Change out your coolant and enjoy your 4Runner. Have you ever heard of electrolysis?? Not changing your coolant will pockmark the pump and other components.

See that’s the kind of specifics I like reading. That’s great to know. “Bob is the Oil Guy” but coolant.

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CutthroatSlam · 06-27-2021, 09:42 PM

260k miles on a 2014 and no head gasket problems. Really no problems other than tire balancing shakes.

1jzgte · 06-28-2021, 01:14 AM

FYI:
There is a difference between Toyota's red concentrate and Toyota's SLLC 50/50 Pink.

Red uses a sodium benzoate inhibitor and Pink uses Sebacic acid

Zerex Asian vs. Toyota "Pink" SLLC

However most of these non OEM pink-compatible fluids also use Sodium Benzoate like the Toyota's red.

The only aftermarket coolant I found that used Sebacic acid was Aisin's ACT002

Rpede · 06-28-2021, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CutthroatSlam

260k miles on a 2014 and no head gasket problems. Really no problems other than tire balancing shakes.

Wow what type of maint did you do? Ever change out your water pump and radiator as preventative maintenance? That’s incredible mileage. This is my first Toyota so I’m just being as caring as possible to this amazing truck.

baldrik78 · 06-28-2021, 10:58 AM

At no point in the last 5 years of reading forums and FB posts about 4Runners have I seen a rash of people complaining about head gaskets on 5th gens. I don't recall a single instance. I'm not saying blown head gaskets don't happen on this engine, but it's nothing like the old 3.0 or 22RE. The 1GR-FE is one of the most reliable engines Toyota has ever made.

CutthroatSlam · 06-28-2021, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rpede

Wow what type of maint did you do? Ever change out your water pump and radiator as preventative maintenance? That’s incredible mileage. This is my first Toyota so I’m just being as caring as possible to this amazing truck.

Have not replaced water pump or radiator as preventative maintenance. Did replace coolant. Have replaced all fluids regularly, but none with Toyota OEM. Overdue to flush the transmission and will use Valvoline Synthetic. Will replace spark pugs for the second time this weekend along with an oil change. These are great trucks and this one looks like it will easily go 400K miles.

cityblues · 02-19-2022, 11:13 PM

I just had the 120K service on my 5th Gen; they advised i should keep an eye on the head gaskets as they noticed some possible seepage. They also asked if I wanted them to replace the gaskets for $800. I said I'd keep an eye on them. I've always had service preformed by my dealer and this is the first time they've advised me to watch for a potential problem. Should I replace the gaskets or should I just keep an eye on them for awhile?

Jeremy556 · 02-19-2022, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cityblues

I just had the 120K service on my 5th Gen; they advised i should keep an eye on the head gaskets as they noticed some possible seepage. They also asked if I wanted them to replace the gaskets for $800. I said I'd keep an eye on them. I've always had service preformed by my dealer and this is the first time they've advised me to watch for a potential problem. Should I replace the gaskets or should I just keep an eye on them for awhile?

Do you mean valve cover gaskets? You aren't going to see a problem with your head gaskets, and you certainly aren't going to get them replaced for $800. $800 seems pretty steep for valve cover gaskets. You have to remove the intake to do the driver's side, but it isn't a big job, probably 2-3 book time.

Jetboy · 02-20-2022, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy556

Do you mean valve cover gaskets? You aren't going to see a problem with your head gaskets, and you certainly aren't going to get them replaced for $800. $800 seems pretty steep for valve cover gaskets. You have to remove the intake to do the driver's side, but it isn't a big job, probably 2-3 book time.

I'm pretty sure your right. There's no seepage from a head gasket that's acceptable to just watch. And the 4.0.2 gas never had had gasket problems. I've never heard of a single one having a problem. I'm sure there's been one or two just by probability out of a few million engines.

Humble Leader · 02-20-2022, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cityblues

I just had the 120K service on my 5th Gen; they advised i should keep an eye on the head gaskets as they noticed some possible seepage. They also asked if I wanted them to replace the gaskets for $800. I said I'd keep an eye on them. I've always had service preformed by my dealer and this is the first time they've advised me to watch for a potential problem. Should I replace the gaskets or should I just keep an eye on them for awhile?

mechanic is referring to valve cover gaskets. some people will just leave them until they get bad. If you want to keep the truck for a long time you should replace the gaskets, they will only get worse with time. eventually you might get a burning oil smell while driving when the gaskets start failing and oil will drip onto the manifold and burn. valve cover gaskets I wouldn't classify as a problem, gaskets wear out, this is not a serious issue at all. the thing with valve cover gaskets is they really only leak when the engine is running and oil is moving around. easily observable, open the hood when the engine is cold and see if you have black buildup around the valve cover seam (grime mixed with oil seep)

if you replace them you might as well do the spark plug o rings and cam shaft seals at the time time. then you will be good for another 100k to 150k miles easily

DougR · 02-20-2022, 04:28 PM

I found a detailed 4-part video on 5th generation valve cover gasket replacement. I learned a better way to remove connectors in part 1: 5th Gen Toyota 4Runner 4.0l: detailed valve cover gasket replacement (LH) - YouTube

It appears to be more than 2-3 hours labor. A Napa online repair estimate is $756. Online mobile mechanic repair estimate is $854.

Here's another video where a lot of oil was pooling in one spark plug chamber. 5th Gen 2010-2021 4Runner Valve Cover Gasket Replacement - YouTube

mystiqueskillz · 02-21-2023, 08:43 PM

I have a 2020 with 44k miles and a blown head gasket. I guess I was one of the unlucky ones. I originally took it in for weird engine noises when it’s cold, I also went on a ride along with a tech and they said my engine sounds fine. A couple weeks later, my engine went limp mode and all the dashboard lights turned on and I had to tow it to Toyota.

02SE · 02-21-2023, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mystiqueskillz

I have a 2020 with 44k miles and a blown head gasket. I guess I was one of the unlucky ones. I originally took it in for weird engine noises when it’s cold, I also went on a ride along with a tech and they said my engine sounds fine. A couple weeks later, my engine went limp mode and all the dashboard lights turned on and I had to tow it to Toyota.

That's the first 5th gen I've heard of with a head gasket issue. How was your 4Runner used? Any extreme use that could have caused damage and overheating? Keep us posted with what they say.

Back to the OP: The 4th gen Single VVT-i 1GR-FE, has almost nothing in common with the Dual VVT-i 1GR-FE in the 5th gen.

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