05 v6 still making me second guess headgaskets

[baby#yota]

Hi guys, ive posted to a thread about this issue before...sort of. Originally I was curious about an occasional long crank I was getting if I used the bump start feature with the key. this problem has seemingly gone away but I still have some questions. The truck has 3 things that keep bothering me.

1. gurgling from heater core in the dash on startup even after a coolant burp
2. slight stumble on startup if cold for a second (not always)
3. slight idle wander when cold (this is new and only wanders 2-3 hundred rpms once in a while)

now yes this sounds like the v6 head gasket issue and I'm NOT ruling that out. I have zero coolant consumption or smoke, good compression, and zero issues when the engine is warm. However, every couple of cold starts the truck stumbles for like 2 seconds before it fires off. If I go into my scan tool I watch 1 or 2 misfires pop up but never enough to set a obd code. the misfires can be cyl 1-6 sometimes only one cyl, sometimes 2 or 3 cylinders. there seems to be no pattern to it. Im probably just being paranoid because the truck has done this since it bought it in July and it hasn't gotten any worse.

if I was seeing consistent cyl 6 misses and coolant issues I might be more convinced but.....IDK. I apologize if this thread is repetitive, just looking for ideas.

thanks -Jon

 

[SurferUK]

Mine has a slightly erratic/wobbly/'lumpy' idle too if it helps, I was going to post about it but it's really only noticeable to someone with an ear and feel for mechanical things, I doubt Joe Bloggs would even notice it

Last time I checked the coolant and oil were fine, could be something or nothing but HG wasn't my first thought for what it's worth!

In Drive, it stops doing it. Does yours?

 

[baby#yota]

Mine has a slightly erratic/wobbly/'lumpy' idle too if it helps, I was going to post about it but it's really only noticeable to someone with an ear and feel for mechanical things, I doubt Joe Bloggs would even notice it

Last time I checked the coolant and oil were fine, could be something or nothing but HG wasn't my first thought for what it's worth!

In Drive, it stops doing it. Does yours?

Yeah once she’s in gear or if I blip the gas it smooths out. It’s only happens on occasion. Long shot here but I wonder if I have a failing cam sensor, might explain that weird long crank I had and stumble at start up. However that should throw a p0340 and I’ve never ever gotten a CEL. I did head gaskets twice on a subie and believe me it’s a PITA so ide rather not have to go that route with the ol 4runner.


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[Syr4RinNC]

Sorry - Im sure youve been over this. But Your spark plugs have been replaced at some point in the last 100K and the coils/ wires have been inspected?. I know on days when its below 10 degrees, I know that my car is going to have a long crank, even with a new battery. I think all of the electric circuits arent going to be as responsive once you start getting that low a temp outside

 

[baby#yota]

Sorry - Im sure youve been over this. But Your spark plugs have been replaced at some point in the last 100K and the coils/ wires have been expected. I know on days when its below 10 degrees, I know that my car is going to have a long crank, even with a new battery. I think all of the electric circuits arent going to be as responsive once you start getting that low a temp outside

Sparks are new, about 5k miles. Coil packs are original, however.

 

[eleven14]

For what it's worth, my 2008 exhibits symptom #2 and #3 from time to time, but I'm pretty sure it's on the original set of plugs from the factory at 130k lol (first thing on my list once it warms up in my area) and am expecting improvement when I do that service.

 

[baby#yota]

For what it's worth, my 2008 exhibits symptom #2 and #3 from time to time, but I'm pretty sure it's on the original set of plugs from the factory at 130k lol (first thing on my list once it warms up in my area) and am expecting improvement when I do that service.

I wish I could have found a clean v8 or a newer v6 but the prices were absurd when I was in the market.



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[SurferUK]

For what it's worth, my 2008 exhibits symptom #2 and #3 from time to time, but I'm pretty sure it's on the original set of plugs from the factory at 130k lol (first thing on my list once it warms up in my area) and am expecting improvement when I do that service.

My plugs are only about 5000 miles/8 months old and I get the mysterious slightly lumpy/uneven idle. But at that mileage it wouldn't hurt to change them, good to know they can last that long!

I won't clog up this thread any more, if I remember I will make a vid of mine idling so OP can compare and see if it puts his mind at ease

 

[phatcheeks]

I have the gurgling sound on startup as well. Also after long drives my coolant overflow tank go past the fill sign and it starts getting hot but not overheating while idling. Ive burped the system many times for as long as an hour and still get these issues. Pretty sure its the HG since mines an 04.
Found a guy who can do HG for 2100 including machining the heads. So that's a good deal for me especially in California.

 

[Seymore Butts]

Exhaust gas in radiator test is cheap and easy to do yourself. That will answer your question with 99% certainty. Everything you're going to read here is just guessing.

 

[xwake4lifex]

The best thing you can do is get a combustion leak detector test and do that yourself.

 

[Flesh Eater]

When cold (I don’t drive mine for about 4 months a year, sometimes 5), I’ll start it, and it instantly sounds like it’s going to stall and then picks right up. I always found it odd, but it doesn’t do it when not cold.

My suspicion is fuel.

My Chevy does some weird stuff in the cold, and it’s almost like it’s the fuel pressure bleeding off.

Just a guess, though. This ethanol is trahsing our vehicles.

 

[baby#yota]

The best thing you can do is get a combustion leak detector test and do that yourself.

I have one on order. I’ve been dragging my feet because of the results I’ll get from it.


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[gm350reratliff]

When cold (I don’t drive mine for about 4 months a year, sometimes 5), I’ll start it, and it instantly sounds like it’s going to stall and then picks right up. I always found it odd, but it doesn’t do it when not cold.

My suspicion is fuel.

My Chevy does some weird stuff in the cold, and it’s almost like it’s the fuel pressure bleeding off.

Just a guess, though. This ethanol is trahsing our vehicles.

Have you tried putting fuel stabilizer in the tank a little bit before you store them?

 

[Flesh Eater]

Have you tried putting fuel stabilizer in the tank a little bit before you store them?

I usually do, but forget sometimes. It’s less than a 1/4 tank right now.