5th Gen Head Gasket problem?

[Rpede]

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]

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]

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]

Head Gaskets

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[5thToy]

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.

I asked these same questions when you posted this on another forum.

Curious, how was head gasket failure confirmed? Wet/dry compression check, milkshake oil, positive test for combustion gas in coolant? Has the engine ever overheated?

 

[Jeremy556]

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.

Fortunately, you should be well within powertrain warranty. Your symptoms don't sound like typical HG symptoms... I don't believe the 1GR has a limp mode, though reduced power from lack of compression may seem similar.

Please follow up with resolution.

 

[mystiqueskillz]

I asked these same questions when you posted this on another forum.

Curious, how was head gasket failure confirmed? Wet/dry compression check, milkshake oil, positive test for combustion gas in coolant? Has the engine ever overheated?

Fortunately, you should be well within powertrain warranty. Your symptoms don't sound like typical HG symptoms... I don't believe the 1GR has a limp mode, though reduced power from lack of compression may seem similar.

Please follow up with resolution.

I have remote start and when I got into my car that morning it was still freezing cold. When I took my car to the dealership I mentioned the heater wasn’t working so they did a compression check, and ran the codes which said cylinder 3 misfire.

Prior so the blown head gasket, my engine was making a fluttering noise when the engine it’s cold. I felt a reduced amount of power too. I checked the oil, checked the coolant reservoir and it was all fine.

The day I got the check engine light the coolant reservoir way past the full mark.

 

[McPixelz]

reply

 

[CutthroatSlam]

The people you won’t hear from are the ones who trade before they even have enough mileage to see these kind of problems. I believe 4Runners are traded up more often than Tacomas.

For those of us in this for the long haul, 140k miles is too early for head gaskets to go. I’d expect that out of a Jag or Range Rover, but not Toyota.

I don’t want to crap on Toyota but I really need to know if flushing and switching to green will void my warranty. I am asking for future reference - I only have 1000 miles on my 4Runner LOL

I have several domestics that don’t even have a pressurized overflow tank (they have a flip cap) and have zero issues at 300k miles and are driven 10-15k miles a year each.

This style below. Not secure at all but the level has not had to be topped off since the last time it was drained. (Water pump several years ago). But it’s green so that doesn’t matter.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.ch..._dfc0ba12544d06ff3cb185fee9aa0c347a24a962.jpg


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322K on a 2014 SR5 and no head gasket problems.