I am looking at a 2004 4Runner. It has 190k miles, V6 2WD. The CEL is on p0303 Code, the VSC and Trac lights are illuminated. The Coolant level was low. Oil look clean, maybe brand new. No apparent leaks odd sounds or smells. Truck seemed to run alright. After reading up, it looks like it could be anything from a gas cap, to a bad plug, bad coil, head gasket or cracked head. Is there a way to check it without a leakdown test? Any ideas, the truck is priced right, but not if it needs a new engine. Thanks, Phil
Head Gaskets, cracked heads?
- Thread starter lajolla4r
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stevec5000
New member
If there is no evidence of water in the oil then it's probably not a cracked head but you should at least do a cylinder compression test to make sure. I don't know about the P0303, it looks like just a misfire on cylinder #3 that might be just a bad plug but you can replace it then try doing a zero point reset to see if it will clear the VSC and Trac lights. Just ground pin 14 a couple times to clear it, there are directions on here somewhere. It may have overheated and lost some coolant. Someone could have been running plain water in it instead of the correct antifreeze so check the radiator to make sure it's working OK by touching the output at the bottom and it should be cold when the engine is warmed up if the fan is running. If the engine sounds smooth and quiet with no knocks then it's probably OK.
A cracked head or bad head gasket would probably release some combustion gas as bubbles into the radiator (from water jackets). Pull the radiator cap while the engine is cold and let it worm-up while observing for bubbles. There is also a dye that you can add to the coolant and check for the coolant being lost a few days later with a black-light.
Gumps_runner
New member
You can check under the oil cap and make sure there is no white foamy residue. Also make sure it has not been wiped clean. there should be a little bit of oil on the bottom side of the cap. If the White foam is under the oli cap, headgasket. If you're in a state that requires smog, You can have the smog sniffer check for hydrocarbons coming out of the radiator.
Pretty much, I would avoid this situation/vehicle, there are plenty of other runners out there and this one sounds like a headache, but maybe you're into gambling, cause that is exactly what you are doing here. I just put a new motor in my 2004 4x4 v6 sport sr5 with 185k and it was not fun $4k+ for the motor. My runner ran fine with a bad headgasket for over a year, it just drank a little coolant and required a refill everyonce in a while.
You never know, It could be more than one problem. It could also be a simple gas cap that gone bad. Good luck with your decision.
Pretty much, I would avoid this situation/vehicle, there are plenty of other runners out there and this one sounds like a headache, but maybe you're into gambling, cause that is exactly what you are doing here. I just put a new motor in my 2004 4x4 v6 sport sr5 with 185k and it was not fun $4k+ for the motor. My runner ran fine with a bad headgasket for over a year, it just drank a little coolant and required a refill everyonce in a while.
You never know, It could be more than one problem. It could also be a simple gas cap that gone bad. Good luck with your decision.
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run4estrunner
New member
Do a block leak test or even open the radiator cap while it is running and see if you smell exhaust. A block leak test is really cheap and you can buy the kit at any auto parts store. When the car sits coolant will slowly leak into the cylinder. If the piston is low enough in the cylinder then enough coolant in the cylinder will cause a misfire for a few seconds on start up.
If it turns out to be a bad head gasket, what is a typical repair cost? i was told by one shop to expect $2500. This is a V6 with 193k miles. Overall, the engine bay looked really good, no signs of any work done, lots of miles though. The seller is suggesting a price of $5000. Too much? Thanks Phil
talonjade
New member
I realize this is a Toyota were talking about here but if it were me... and not really knowing who ran it and in what condition...any sign of over heating on an aluminum block/heads and I RUN like a champion race horse!
I don't think its a gamble worth taking where what you could be saving you may just be spending later....
there are LOTS of trouble free Toyota's that are great deals...
eace:
and really who wants to worry about the car they just bought....and knowing most people you will lose some sleep...
I don't think its a gamble worth taking where what you could be saving you may just be spending later....
there are LOTS of trouble free Toyota's that are great deals...
eace:and really who wants to worry about the car they just bought....and knowing most people you will lose some sleep...
