Are 4th Generation V8's worth the risk 4 Manifold Issues?

D

Diver55

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I'm in Ontario, and V6's are sold fast or for some other reason, are scarce. Maybe the owners are holding on to them or in the summer more people want to buy them. The majority of the 4th Generation on Auto Trader are V8's. At least the older models.
I would bo OK paying more for the gas for a V8 even though I'm not pulling anything. I know the horsepower is less with more torque with the V8 also. I've got a guy with an 03' Sport that is selling his but I'm seeing a lot of disappointed V8 owners on this Forum in regards to the manifold/cat issue. There is no aftermaket solution and it can be a substantial cost. This guy says no sulfur issue, ever, at 180K clicks. No manifold issues he guarantees. I've seen the manifold issue show up at higher mileage on the V8.
I wonder what my odds are? I'll spin the wheel if the odds aren't that bad.
Anybody here with a V8 Fourth Geneartion that never had manifold issues and have high mileage? Would be encouraging, because all we have online in my province is V8's. Maybe these are owners with manifold issues mixed with people who just don't want to pay extra gas?
 
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To be honest, cracked manifold is quite rare but they do happen. i had 150,000 miles on my headers before replacing them with Doug Thorley performance headers.

When i had them replaced, they were actually perfectly fine and never had any issues, just poor quality compared to Doug Thorley's. Here is a picture of OEM vs aftermarket.
 

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I'll say yes...My truck has 126K miles on it and the manifolds started ticking around 5K miles ago. It does it on cold starts, but once it's warmed up, They're quiet. I looked into getting the V6 when I bought mine, but for the little difference in gas mileage, the V8 is worth it to me.
 
It happens, but not very often at all. The V8's are nearly indestructible and last a looong time. I got my V8 based on 2 separate mechanics recommendations. . . 1 was a Toyota and the other a private shop.
 
I've noticed the same thing in Alberta; that there's not that many V6's on the market at the moment. There's actually not that many 4th gen 4Runners, even.

I find there's more selection in September, October when there's more market for a 4wd vehicle but maybe you don't want to wait that long.
 
I only have 88k, but my manifolds are perfect as of now. The v6 has some headgasket issues, v8 has manifold issues. Pick yours.

Honestly I would find the 4runner in the best shape, least rust, and a 4wd actuator that works. Then if either the HG blows or the headers crack deal with it
 
160k on my '03, no manifold issues so far. You should worry a lot more about frame rust than manifold issues. And, btw, the V6 has intake manifold issues.
 
Nice to see some positive feedback. Kind of been reading a bit too much on the "problems" and "issues" lately. It can all balance out sometimes. No small issues and sometimes a whamo that should not have happened. Each company gets it. Thanks for the advice.
 
My 03 v8 has 2439xxx miles on it. The manifold ticks on a cold start, but is quiet after it warms up. I just deal with it since it isn't hurting anything mechanically. It's old, gets beat on, and keeps running.
 
Diver55 said:
Nice to see some positive feedback. Kind of been reading a bit too much on the "problems" and "issues" lately. It can all balance out sometimes. No small issues and sometimes a whamo that should not have happened. Each company gets it. Thanks for the advice.
Click to expand...

Try to remember that what shows up as "common" issues on the forums tends to be "uncommon" in the real world due to the nature of forums in general often being about fixing issues.
 
BlackWorksInc said:
Try to remember that what shows up as "common" issues on the forums tends to be "uncommon" in the real world due to the nature of forums in general often being about fixing issues.
Click to expand...

Judging these types of issues by forums posts is like determining the health of a community by visiting the ER on a Saturday night.
 
I kind of regret not getting a V8. Don't get me wrong, I love the V6 and it puts out plenty of power, but I mean... Can't beat the sound of a V8.. but if that's my only logical (but not really logical) reason for wanting a V8, the 6 serves it's purpose for me haha.
 
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