Buying 1st gen runner below 200k mi

[spetznaz]

Hello All,

I'm new to forum and looking for my first 1st gen 4runner. One of the owners of a runner i looked at told me not to buy one that has from 160-200k miles on it because of head gasket issues. He mentioned that they are known to go in this range and a runner with over 200k would have gasket replaced already so its a safer bet. I realize its crazy to try to predict when and where the head gasket will blow but is this somewhat accurate statements for both the 22re and the 3vze? Should i be targeting either over 200k mi with verifiable head gasket replaced or very low close to 100kmi? Also assuming head gasket has been done how reliable/problamatic is the bottom end on these motors?

Anything else specific i should be looking for on these? I don't mind wrenching on on it but I don't want a project on my hands right off the bat so looking for something drive-able and fun.

Look forward to spending more time here

TIA

Spetz

 

[92-SR5]

The head gasket issues are really only a problem with the 3vze. Not saying 2re HG don't go, but nothing like the v6.

 

[KidVermicious]

There's two problems with the 3.0 head gasket. As I understand it lots of trucks had improperly torqued heads from the factory. That's what the recall was all about, bringing those trucks back in to get the right torque on the head bolts. And that's why that recall is closed, because they figure that any truck that's lasted 20 years on one head gasket probably had the right torque in the first place . So that's what your friend is referring to.

But 3.0s are still blowing gaskets, and that's because of the funky crossover pipe design that gets too close to the cylinder head and over time cooks the head gasket right near cylinder six. So just because it's got high mileage doesn't mean it's safe from head gasket trouble.

22RE motors aren't known for head gasket trouble. When a 22RE overheats, it's frequently because the timing chain broke its guides and wore a hole in the timing chain cover. If you're looking at a 22RE, find out when the last time the timing chain was serviced, and if it's been over 100,000 miles, put it on the "necessary maintenance" list.

The bottom end of both motors is near bulletproof, and I wouldn't be scared off of buying either by mere mileage. 250k is normally where a motor is getting close to rebuild time, depending on how bad it's been abused, and then you can look forward to another 250k after that.

 

[2ndGen4runner4x4]

My theory for the 3VZ-E head gasket issue blames the crossover pipe in combination with an older, not so free flowing cat. The cat becomes partially clogged over the years and exhaust temps runs even hotter. I believe a free flowing cat/exhaust will lower the exhaust gas temperature and prolong the head gasket life.
If you can do it where you live, a gutted cat will really lower the EG temp.

 

[spetznaz]

thanks guys will keep all this in mind.

 

[RAD4Runner]

Head Gasket Issue

The head gasket issues are really only a problem with the 3vze. Not saying 2re HG don't go, but nothing like the v6.

22RE motors aren't known for head gasket trouble. When a 22RE overheats, it's frequently because the timing chain broke its guides and wore a hole in the timing chain cover. If you're looking at a 22RE, find out when the last time the timing chain was serviced, and if it's been over 100,000 miles, put it on the "necessary maintenance" list.

The bottom end of both motors is near bulletproof, and I wouldn't be scared off of buying either by mere mileage. 250k is normally where a motor is getting close to rebuild time, depending on how bad it's been abused, and then you can look forward to another 250k after that.

Agree with ^^^.
I am not the original owner of my 86 4Runner, so I'm not sure of conditions she had been through. Head gasket blew at 185k miles. Up until that time she ran well, gave me 22 mpg on the highway, although with out much power - typical of 27-YO trucks.

Just watch out for symptoms of HG failure (depends on where failure spot is):
Milkshake oil - although this could also be caused by timing chain wearing a hole through the cover(?) into water jacket.

IF possible to inspect the truck while the engine is still cold, you might see a very obvious sign of HG trouble.

On mine, while engine is cold, with radiator cap off, coolant wells over right away, and bubbles come up. With engine cold, there is nothing that should pressurize the cooling system- water pump merely circulates the coolant, not add any pressure to the system.

If I really wanted to see/prove how much longer a Toyota would run by just doing an HG job, I could have. However, a complete engine rebuild would give me significantly more power, reliability, and extended engine life for not much more cost so I did a rebuild, plus all-new cooling system components.

Happy shopping. And yeah, bring a friend along to the test drive who knows how the truck's supposed to look, feel, sound, smell.

 

[92-SR5]

Besides what has already been stated, a dead giveaway of a HG failure is coolant smelling like exhaust.

 

[RAD4Runner]

Besides what has already been stated, a dead giveaway of a HG failure is coolant smelling like exhaust.

Hard to tell but that's correct because the exhaust pressurizes the cooling system - that's the case with mine, and shop confirmed Hydrocarbons in coolant .

Oh yeah, and also:

• Exhaust smelling like coolant,
• Excessive water coming out of tail pipe. Before my HG condensation was dripping from tailpipe (normal). With Bad HG, droplets were splashing out.
• Hard-starting

 

[supkar]

I prefer the 22re for gas mileage and incredible reliability. I tend to agree that the cat on the v6 could cause some problems. My tranny tunnel gets very hot when on long trips and when its fairly warm outside Especially on the exhaust side

 

[dorton]

I'd imagine the guy suggesting the purchase of one in that range just might happen to have a 4runner that would fall within that interval. He's selling. There is no magic mileage in which you could expect problems.

BTW, a Recall (SSC= Special Service Campaign) never expires,but a SPA(Special Policy Adjustment) does. There were 2 different repairs on some of the 3VZ. The Recall SSC V06 has not expired, and I actually just performed one about a year ago, in which the truck got a new block, and 2 new heads.

 

[RAD4Runner]

And if you'll be wrenching, look inside the engine compartment and see which would you rather work on- the 22RE or the V6 3.0.

 

[txclimber]

You could also do a compression test before buying. Not exactly a crystal ball, but if all 4 (or 6) cylinders have very similar and close to spec pressures, you're probably good to go.

If they are quite different from one another that's a warning sign. If they are all considerably lower than they should be, you're looking at more than just a HG.

Bonus: Don't forget to pull the efi fuse before you do the test

 

[supra6m]

Just my $0.02 so take it for what its worth... if you plan on buying a 3VZE AND plan on having it for a while... then just PLAN on doing head gaskets at some point.

 

[spetznaz]

funny compression

You could also do a compression test before buying. Not exactly a crystal ball, but if all 4 (or 6) cylinders have very similar and close to spec pressures, you're probably good to go.

If they are quite different from one another that's a warning sign. If they are all considerably lower than they should be, you're looking at more than just a HG.

Bonus: Don't forget to pull the efi fuse before you do the test

Did a compression test on one vehicle.
Cylinder 1,2,3 180psi
cylinder 4 150psi

Plugs were fouled pretty badly and had white build up on them on cylinders 1,2,3. cylinder 4 plug looked more or less normal.

So i'm thinking carbon buildup on cylinders 1,2,3. and less build up/leak of some sort on number 4? Seems to pass smog though so i was kind of surprised.

What do you guys think?

thanks,

Spetz

 

[KidVermicious]

180? I think there was 170-ish from the factory, that's pretty good . The 150 is too far out of variance, which indicates a problem on that cylinder. It could be a gasket starting to go, it could be a bad valve, or it could be a bad ring. Did you drop a half-glug of oil in there, and did that number come up?

 

[spetznaz]

compression.

No forgot to do the oil but I think I read compression should be 140 or 150psi in some manual I found I'll double check...

 

[KidVermicious]

Here ya go.

 

[KidVermicious]

I'd imagine the guy suggesting the purchase of one in that range just might happen to have a 4runner that would fall within that interval. He's selling. There is no magic mileage in which you could expect problems.

BTW, a Recall (SSC= Special Service Campaign) never expires,but a SPA(Special Policy Adjustment) does. There were 2 different repairs on some of the 3VZ. The Recall SSC V06 has not expired, and I actually just performed one about a year ago, in which the truck got a new block, and 2 new heads.

I missed this earlier, can you clarify? Some V6s had the recall and some just had the SPA thingy? And the recall doesn't ever go away?

 

[dorton]

Yeah, a SSC( Special Service Campaign) has no expiration mileage, or date. The designation on that special service campaign was SSC V06.

The SPA extended the warranty of the head gaskets on the 3VZ for 8 years/ 100k miles. So that has long been expired, but the SSC V06 is still active. This means that if the SSC V06 has never been completed,that vehicle will still shows eiligible for the campaign, all that would need to happen, is just contact you local dealersip. You can go on toyota.com to check vin#'s.

Just a for instance, I recently was looking at a 60 series Land Cruiser, and checked the vin. It's an 85' and still has an open SSC.

 

[85toy4runner]

Yeah, a SSC( Special Service Campaign) has no expiration mileage, or date. The designation on that special service campaign was SSC V06.

The SPA extended the warranty of the head gaskets on the 3VZ for 8 years/ 100k miles. So that has long been expired, but the SSC V06 is still active. This means that if the SSC V06 has never been completed,that vehicle will still shows eiligible for the campaign, all that would need to happen, is just contact you local dealersip. You can go on toyota.com to check vin#'s.

Just a for instance, I recently was looking at a 60 series Land Cruiser, and checked the vin. It's an 85' and still has an open SSC.

I couldnt get any info on my 85 4runners vin at toyota.com , were you able to with your 4runner