2006 V8 4Runner Head Gasket lifetime ?

[harojs]

Dealer says my head gasket is beginning to show signs of getting ready to give me leaking and trouble.

178K miles - engine has had no problems over its lifetime. Kept clean - oil clear.

Nothing leaking on the driveway so far. I'll take it to another shop shortly and put it up on the rack and take a look.

[Q1] Any history of the Head Gaskets blowing up after 180K miles?

I think dealer may be trying to get me to buy a new one.

[Q2] How many miles can a 2006 V8 4R get?

John

 

[MikeinNH67]

What kind of signs can you see? I'm kinda doubtful they are seeing anything if they can't point out some seepage or something similar. Even if it does start to leak, the leaks are generally tiny in the beginning.

 

[AuSeeker]

I seem to remember only one member with a V8 on this forum ever having a blow head gasket, the V8 is almost bullet proof as long as you change the timing belt before it breaks, and a bad head gasket is a very, very rare event unless it was severely overheated.

Not 4Runners...BUT there have been at least 2 Tundras go to 1 million miles with the same V8 that is in the 4Runner and both of the Tundras were still going strong, Toyota bought both of them back so they could take them apart to see how much wear and tear were on them overall, when they tore down the engines the cylinders still had the original honing hash marks on the cylinder walls.

 

[harojs]

Thanks all. No visible leakage or other signs on HG looking from the top and sides. Am taking rig to local mechanic and we will put it on the hoist and give it a go through. Will let you know what we find on Jul 13.

 

[harojs]

My local mechanic could not see any evidence that the head gaskets were going to fail shortly.

Mechanic thinks dealer wanted me to trade in on new vehicle so he could get my V8 4R as they are in high demand in used market.

John