1993 4Runner 2WD auto 6 Cylinder. 140K on her. Pulled into a parking spot today and when I went to restart the truck, the engine gave off a massive white smoking cloud of burnt something or other from the exhaust and stumbled then died. Thought I overheated it, radiator was empty. At the time, no obvious leaks so I tried again. Tried cranking about 5 times and engine just wouldn't catch.

Well suddenly the muffler started draining anti-freeze. Yes, the muffler and not a leak above the muffler. I suspect Initial smoke was burnt coolant until it flooded the engine.

Upon further inspection coolant is in the cylinders & intake but not the oil. Coolant is leaking out of the throttle valve assembly. Small leak at the back of the engine and large amount out of the out of the muffler. Coolant seems to be entering the intake system.

Is there a way for something to fail that would allow coolant directly into the intake manifold.

Recent Mx was a radiator and hose change. About a 100 miles since repair, nothing is leaking or broken at the front of the engine so I don't think its related. Coolant checked at least 3 times since repair and no leaks and no loss of coolant until today.

Any ideas? Is the Motor Toast!

Update: No coolant in the oil just all 6 cylinders and intake manifold. Literally over a quart came out of the muffler, and maybe half a cup out of the throttle valve when I pulled the duct off.

I thought head gasket as well, but with no oil/coolant cross contamination, it must start in the intake manifold area somehow.

There is a small coolant leak at some of the smaller hoses on the back of the engine, Ill dig into it today and see what I can find.

Car is on its last leg anyway, A/C is also out, so if engine is toast it will quickly eclipse the value of the vehicle. Time to look for another early Runner!

I believe coolant runs through the throttle body. If the throttle body cracked that would cause a good amount of coolant in the intake.
Its the fatter hose on the right side. It snakes between the fuel rail and intake plenum. I would check the throttle body before giving up on the old blister all together.

I would do a compression test, make sure you didnt hydro lock and blow the HG.

Update: Coolant is in the oil. The oil wasn't milky, just coolant and oil on top. Oil looked fine and normal on the dip stick. Drained oil and coolant drained first. Very deceiving. Compression test confirmed both head gaskets blown.

What's the value of a 4Runner for parts? May help in the decision to fix or replace the truck.

I saw this thread and I’m new so I didn’t wanna do the 15 replies or whatever to make my own. I’m having quite the same problem with my 92. V6, 3.0, auto with 138,000. I parked it one day and I noticed smoke coming out the exhaust when I took the keys out and it was completely off. Drove it a couple feet and parked it seemed fine. Went back to start it to go to work couple hours later and it wanted to turn over but just spat and sputtered. Radiator was bone dry but no leaks anywhere. Pushing pressure out the radiator but no coolant in the oil. Took the intake off and a gallon of coolant was in the throttle body. No smoke though. It was blowing out instead of in. Could it just be the intake manifold gasket or is it the head gasket? I’m praying to god it isn’t the head. With only 138,000 its not like a yota to blow a head gasket especially not beating her. Doesn’t make sense that the head gasket would one day just go like that. I’m dumbfounded any help?

Isn't Toyota still honoring the head gasket recall?
Check if it's been done on your truck?

There’s no recall on mine because the recalls are vin specific. I called a dealership and they said no. But the head gasket hasn’t not been done on it. Still not like a yota to blow a head gasket with low mileage. Just weird. Wish I had the money and time to fix it

Head gaskets were not a recall !! They were a Special Service Campaign V06 and yes it is like a 3.0 to just lose a headgasket.

Dear Toyota Owner:

Thank you very much for your patronage of Toyota. We are dedicated to providing vehicles of outstanding quality and value. As part of our constant effort to provide the best in customer satisfaction, we are introducing a Special Service Campaign for your vehicle.

What is the problem?

The engine cylinder head gaskets of Toyota Compact Pick-up Truck, 4Runner, and T100 vehicles may leak leading to symptoms of loss of engine coolant, unusually rough idling, continuous discharge of white exhaust smoke, or diminished engine performance. The subject vehicles are equipped with the V6 engine and were produced from January 1990 through September 1994 (some 1990, all 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 and early production 1995 model year vehicles).

What will Toyota do?

Any Toyota dealer will replace the cylinder head gaskets with improved gaskets at no cost to you.

Will A Toyota dealership still fix this for me or did they discontinue this service?