T4R2014
Elite Member
Start by ditching the Bosch plugs and putting in the factory spec NGK or Denso.
2004 Limited Edition 4Runner 4X4 - Head Gasket
- Thread starter TracyScram
- Start date
Start by ditching the Bosch plugs and putting in the factory spec NGK or Denso.
oem
i found that any spark plugs other than denso/oem have caused issues. I dunno if they cause any cels to trip tho. I experienced rough starts but that was all. Throw the old plugs in if u still have em. IF codes come back up after clearing the ECU then you may have a real issue.
i found that any spark plugs other than denso/oem have caused issues. I dunno if they cause any cels to trip tho. I experienced rough starts but that was all. Throw the old plugs in if u still have em. IF codes come back up after clearing the ECU then you may have a real issue.
blazier196
New member
2005 V6 270,000 miles (knock on wood
05 v6, build date fall of 2005. 270k, had a lift for most of its life and larger tires, roof rack, ect. Best truck I have ever owned. I have owned GM, ford, Nissan and my next new vehicle will be a toyota. At this point can't really complain if it goes out.
05 v6, build date fall of 2005. 270k, had a lift for most of its life and larger tires, roof rack, ect. Best truck I have ever owned. I have owned GM, ford, Nissan and my next new vehicle will be a toyota. At this point can't really complain if it goes out.
I plan on switching to ngk. Thank you for your time!
Head Gasket
I literally just got my 2004 back from the shop as well.
Diagnostics said that it was P0306 -- misfire on cylinder 6. First shop I brought it to replaced ignition coil and spark plugs. No joy.
Brought it to Toyota and they said head gaskets, but wanted $3600. NOPE.
3rd shop got it right --- $2200 later, they said that this is a VERY well known issue with lots of vehicles affected. The mechanic also said that they discontinued the original gasket for that engine 1 or 2 years after my model, so they have to know something is up.
I just got off the phone w/ Toyota customer service and opened a case (#1602120086). Hopefully if we get enough reports, they may issue a recall.
I literally just got my 2004 back from the shop as well.
Diagnostics said that it was P0306 -- misfire on cylinder 6. First shop I brought it to replaced ignition coil and spark plugs. No joy.
Brought it to Toyota and they said head gaskets, but wanted $3600. NOPE.
3rd shop got it right --- $2200 later, they said that this is a VERY well known issue with lots of vehicles affected. The mechanic also said that they discontinued the original gasket for that engine 1 or 2 years after my model, so they have to know something is up.
I just got off the phone w/ Toyota customer service and opened a case (#1602120086). Hopefully if we get enough reports, they may issue a recall.
04 limited 155k
Looks to be the same problem as well, miss on cold start that goes away after 30 secs to a min. pulled two codes p0306 and p0717. Reset codes p0306 only came back. Going to pull plug and scope it, then get quotes for head gasket replacement. Will post results and call toyota to get on the list as well. Has anyone done a detailed write up for the DIY garage mechanic. A couple of guys have talked about it but I've not seen one yet.
Thanks, still love my 4runner.
Looks to be the same problem as well, miss on cold start that goes away after 30 secs to a min. pulled two codes p0306 and p0717. Reset codes p0306 only came back. Going to pull plug and scope it, then get quotes for head gasket replacement. Will post results and call toyota to get on the list as well. Has anyone done a detailed write up for the DIY garage mechanic. A couple of guys have talked about it but I've not seen one yet.
Thanks, still love my 4runner.
Vollostcom
New member
04 limited 157k
Same thing going on too, as of now I guess I should do the leak test next. Compression test came back beautiful. Same problems, rough start for 15 seconds. Misfires in 2-4 though. The spark plugs the dealer put in was shit. Replaced light off for a day but back on ... Now a week after I bought this car .. December 15... VSC on and off and engine continuously came on and off ... Dealer wouldn't ever contact me back... Maybe perhaps in the same boat ... Bought this from a Toyota dealership in Charlotte, but can't get any feedback
Same thing going on too, as of now I guess I should do the leak test next. Compression test came back beautiful. Same problems, rough start for 15 seconds. Misfires in 2-4 though. The spark plugs the dealer put in was shit. Replaced light off for a day but back on ... Now a week after I bought this car .. December 15... VSC on and off and engine continuously came on and off ... Dealer wouldn't ever contact me back... Maybe perhaps in the same boat ... Bought this from a Toyota dealership in Charlotte, but can't get any feedback
trublucali
New member
Add my 05 V6 to the List - P0304
Kept getting P0304 error code on startup with rough idling (misfire on #4). First mechanic switched coils and it seemed ok for a month. Then it got worse and the check engine light started flashing for 10 seconds on start. Took it to another shop right away. They pulled the spark plug after letting it sit over night and when they started it, coolant spray in cylinder. Never ran hot, but they reported that radiator was half-empty. Car has always run great.
It has 180k and I don't know history. I've gotten two quotes, one guy's 3 weeks out at 2k and another's immediate at close to 3k. To rebuild engine will cost over 5k. I've had the vehicle for 1.5 years and had to do the timing cover but not really any other major repairs besides that. Not really sure what to do. Keep the radiator full until the 3 week's out guy clears up, I guess. It's a big job, first mechanic didn't even want to do it.
Kept getting P0304 error code on startup with rough idling (misfire on #4). First mechanic switched coils and it seemed ok for a month. Then it got worse and the check engine light started flashing for 10 seconds on start. Took it to another shop right away. They pulled the spark plug after letting it sit over night and when they started it, coolant spray in cylinder. Never ran hot, but they reported that radiator was half-empty. Car has always run great.
It has 180k and I don't know history. I've gotten two quotes, one guy's 3 weeks out at 2k and another's immediate at close to 3k. To rebuild engine will cost over 5k. I've had the vehicle for 1.5 years and had to do the timing cover but not really any other major repairs besides that. Not really sure what to do. Keep the radiator full until the 3 week's out guy clears up, I guess. It's a big job, first mechanic didn't even want to do it.
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Adding another 2005 V6 to the HG list.
Not my truck, it belongs to my ex-wife. Have/had a P0306 and VSC light on & off for days or weeks at a time during the last 1 or 2 years. Most often CEL and VSC are On. Sometimes also has P0300. Moved Plug and Coil last year. Problem returned/remained. Did a cylinder compression test (last year) no problems found.
It seems to be a very small leak in #6 and as others have reported "seals itself" soon after engine start. Need to get the leak confirmed. Thinking of hiring a pro shop to use a cooling system pressure test set & also a bore scope camera; might also DIY this or a similar test. Checked inside #6 last night after letting it sit cold and could not find or swab any coolant out. Plug was White-ish on end. Cleaned plug and got the truck to pass State emission testing today. Got very lucky on this.
Truck has 211K miles. I have never done a HG but planning on doing the repair myself. Thank you to all who have posted here with details of DIY repair, parts lists, special tools. Head check, valve-seat seals replacement will be farmed-out to the pros.
Cheers!
edit: it does eat coolant, not much, will be watching it more closely from now on.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/[email protected]
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/73025-p0306-question-please-help-2.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/174451-new-member-need-help-p304-misfire.html
Not my truck, it belongs to my ex-wife. Have/had a P0306 and VSC light on & off for days or weeks at a time during the last 1 or 2 years. Most often CEL and VSC are On. Sometimes also has P0300. Moved Plug and Coil last year. Problem returned/remained. Did a cylinder compression test (last year) no problems found.
It seems to be a very small leak in #6 and as others have reported "seals itself" soon after engine start. Need to get the leak confirmed. Thinking of hiring a pro shop to use a cooling system pressure test set & also a bore scope camera; might also DIY this or a similar test. Checked inside #6 last night after letting it sit cold and could not find or swab any coolant out. Plug was White-ish on end. Cleaned plug and got the truck to pass State emission testing today. Got very lucky on this.
Truck has 211K miles. I have never done a HG but planning on doing the repair myself. Thank you to all who have posted here with details of DIY repair, parts lists, special tools. Head check, valve-seat seals replacement will be farmed-out to the pros.
Cheers!
edit: it does eat coolant, not much, will be watching it more closely from now on.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/[email protected]
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/73025-p0306-question-please-help-2.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/174451-new-member-need-help-p304-misfire.html
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Grunner1023
New member
2004 v6 170k HG
Hello folks, the power of this site is truly amazing by doing a few quick searches
& reading all the bad news I'm 99.9% sure mine is blown . Exact same symptoms in exact same order & threw first code yesterday, I didn't. Even bother to read it , at the shop now for check & confirmation , if you've read most of this thread you'll have to agree there is almost no doubt code will be #6 misfire maybe #4 will update when I know for sure
Hello folks, the power of this site is truly amazing by doing a few quick searches
& reading all the bad news I'm 99.9% sure mine is blown . Exact same symptoms in exact same order & threw first code yesterday, I didn't. Even bother to read it , at the shop now for check & confirmation , if you've read most of this thread you'll have to agree there is almost no doubt code will be #6 misfire maybe #4 will update when I know for sure
2004 Blown Head Gasket
I've got an 2004 4Runner 4x4. Overheated. The radiator cracked, steam rolled out from under the head and then my son had it towed to Firestone. They tell me the head is warped, the gasket is leaking, failed block test, and cylinder 6 is dead.
Great, I think, not really. I have 223K miles on this vehicle. In the past two years I had it painted - clear coat disintegrated; I had the struts/springs/shocks done; I had all new rotors, and two new front calipers, and just put on new Coopers AT. All in all about $6K in the last 2+ years. Oh yeah, i had a tune up done about 2 months ago.
I'm being told the job will run about 18 hours, give or take, parts - cost will run nearly $2K-$2.5K. I'm thinking that's a lot but most everyone else is quoting the same. The shop says if I pay that kind of money for labor I should consider a donor/used engine. Those cost about $2500 or so. Toyota would do the engine replacement for $5500 and the engine comes from LQK.
So I'm thinking of doing the impossible or not. I'm thinking to open the engine up myself, pull the heads, and send them to a machine shop to be resurfaced and then put it all back together plus take out the old radiator, change out the old water pump...you know. I'm sure I'm missing something in this thought process due to my lack of experience but I'm not sure I want to drop $6K for a used engine/install nor $2.5K for just a gasket, head resurfacing job.
I'm leaning to tackle the job myself and spend about $600-700 in parts, fluids, and resurfacing the heads. I'll look around on this site to see if anyone else had done this before or not. I figure it will take me 40 hours, maybe 50 due to my lack of experience to do this job.
I've got an 2004 4Runner 4x4. Overheated. The radiator cracked, steam rolled out from under the head and then my son had it towed to Firestone. They tell me the head is warped, the gasket is leaking, failed block test, and cylinder 6 is dead.
Great, I think, not really. I have 223K miles on this vehicle. In the past two years I had it painted - clear coat disintegrated; I had the struts/springs/shocks done; I had all new rotors, and two new front calipers, and just put on new Coopers AT. All in all about $6K in the last 2+ years. Oh yeah, i had a tune up done about 2 months ago.
I'm being told the job will run about 18 hours, give or take, parts - cost will run nearly $2K-$2.5K. I'm thinking that's a lot but most everyone else is quoting the same. The shop says if I pay that kind of money for labor I should consider a donor/used engine. Those cost about $2500 or so. Toyota would do the engine replacement for $5500 and the engine comes from LQK.
So I'm thinking of doing the impossible or not. I'm thinking to open the engine up myself, pull the heads, and send them to a machine shop to be resurfaced and then put it all back together plus take out the old radiator, change out the old water pump...you know. I'm sure I'm missing something in this thought process due to my lack of experience but I'm not sure I want to drop $6K for a used engine/install nor $2.5K for just a gasket, head resurfacing job.
I'm leaning to tackle the job myself and spend about $600-700 in parts, fluids, and resurfacing the heads. I'll look around on this site to see if anyone else had done this before or not. I figure it will take me 40 hours, maybe 50 due to my lack of experience to do this job.
wadle5
New member
That sucks man, and thats what worries me as these vehicle get older. let me know what else you find going forward and good luck!
And another... I was trying to figure out why it was idling rough on start, and I just added coolant again without seeing any leaking or white smoke. 115K on my '04. Picked it up 13 years ago with 3 miles on it. This site has saved me so many times and kept it running like a top all these years. So now, the question is fix, or trade in on a new TRD Pro?
Head gasket issues on a 2011 SR5
I've been reading these issues with the head gaskets on the 4runners. We have the same issue with ours, it's a 2011 w/ 71,000. Extended warranty ran out in November, last week it started blowing white smoke on start up. The dealership wants to put in some 'leak stop' since we found it so fast. After reading posts about that stuff, it seems to be a short term fix. We'll be calling Toyota Customer Care tomorrow. Thank you to all of you guys who have fought this fight already, it's terrible that Toyota won't own up the their problem. Any advice on pushing to get it fixed correctly?
I've been reading these issues with the head gaskets on the 4runners. We have the same issue with ours, it's a 2011 w/ 71,000. Extended warranty ran out in November, last week it started blowing white smoke on start up. The dealership wants to put in some 'leak stop' since we found it so fast. After reading posts about that stuff, it seems to be a short term fix. We'll be calling Toyota Customer Care tomorrow. Thank you to all of you guys who have fought this fight already, it's terrible that Toyota won't own up the their problem. Any advice on pushing to get it fixed correctly?
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Jeffrey_VB
New member
Add another head gasket victim here. My '06 V6 with 144,000 had rough idle in the morning, CEL and associated lights came on. Idle smoothed out, but the lights stayed on as I drove it to the dealer. Was diagnosed as a misfire in cylinder 4. They replaced the spark plugs and the rough idle returned. Inspection with a bore scope showed coolant in cylinder 4. Dealer is quoting $3400 to replace both head gaskets. I plan to call some indie's in the morning to get some other, cheaper quotes. (I hope)
2005 V6 Sport Edition
Add my 4R. Has 145K miles. Engine shake at cold start but smooths out after 10 secs. CEL and VSC trac lights came on. Ran the code and Cyl. 4 misfire. No white smoke yet, but noticed the coolant slowly coming down. I changed the spark plugs, swap the coil, reset the CEL but came on again after 3 days. Same cylinder 4. After reading all these posts, I knew it's the HG. Fortunately, I have a mechanic friend who will do the job for half of what the dealer's cost. I called Toyota, and said no recall on HG, what a bummer. Toyota should recognize this problem and issue a recall.
Add my 4R. Has 145K miles. Engine shake at cold start but smooths out after 10 secs. CEL and VSC trac lights came on. Ran the code and Cyl. 4 misfire. No white smoke yet, but noticed the coolant slowly coming down. I changed the spark plugs, swap the coil, reset the CEL but came on again after 3 days. Same cylinder 4. After reading all these posts, I knew it's the HG. Fortunately, I have a mechanic friend who will do the job for half of what the dealer's cost. I called Toyota, and said no recall on HG, what a bummer. Toyota should recognize this problem and issue a recall.
Sam4runner
New member
Exact problem on my 2004 4runner/SR5
Have had my 04'4runner for 7 years- 164 K miles on it and not one issue so far with regular maintenance, till yesterday. Engine shake at cold start- lasts less than 5 seconds- been quoted 3,600$ parts+ labour at a reputed auto shop in San Diego, D/W a few friends and heading to Mexicali tomorrow- Purchasing parts in San Diego and having work done by a mechanic known to a friend- will keep posted!
How many similar complaints does it take for Toyota to do something concrete about it?? Text me @ 6027029671
Have had my 04'4runner for 7 years- 164 K miles on it and not one issue so far with regular maintenance, till yesterday. Engine shake at cold start- lasts less than 5 seconds- been quoted 3,600$ parts+ labour at a reputed auto shop in San Diego, D/W a few friends and heading to Mexicali tomorrow- Purchasing parts in San Diego and having work done by a mechanic known to a friend- will keep posted!
How many similar complaints does it take for Toyota to do something concrete about it?? Text me @ 6027029671
2005 4Runner SR5 V6 headgasket
I just got my 2005 out of the shop 2 weeks ago for headgaskets after having a cylinder 6 misfire that got progressively worse.
My head was warped and the gasket was blown at 6. $3000 later I still have a very inconsistent and low idle. Anyone else had this issue? They cleaned the throttle body (tried telling me that because the computer was reset my truck wasn't compensating for the dirty throttle body).
I have about 162k on the truck now but have had issues since around 150k. (My parents have 2 Toyotas with very high mileage and none of these issues)
I just got my 2005 out of the shop 2 weeks ago for headgaskets after having a cylinder 6 misfire that got progressively worse.
My head was warped and the gasket was blown at 6. $3000 later I still have a very inconsistent and low idle. Anyone else had this issue? They cleaned the throttle body (tried telling me that because the computer was reset my truck wasn't compensating for the dirty throttle body).
I have about 162k on the truck now but have had issues since around 150k. (My parents have 2 Toyotas with very high mileage and none of these issues)
