Help.....1995 four runner head gasket recall...gray zone

[straycatdog]

I recently bought a 95 four runner for my daughter. Four days later the head gasket blew. I learned of the recall and repair plan....and called my Toyota dealer and asked about the replacement and was told my vehicle was manufactured in late ninety four and so is not eligible for this recall / repair.

I also called Toyota Customer Service and they said since it had the "new improved" engine that it is not eligible, even though 1996 four runners had similar head gasket issues. It seems my vehicle is in a grey
zone or void.

Does anyone know anything about this or has had similar experiences? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Hammer75]

I just went through the same thing - just blew my head gasket about 2 months ago on a 1995 with 100k miles. Toyota will not provide any assistance if the VIN is outside the vehicles that they supposedly have identified, althought the problem appears to be mnore widespread than what they indicate. They also said it was way outside vehicle warranty. I did file a case on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Search for a Complaint | Safercar.gov | NHTSA Toyota does not really care about helping you - had just bought a new one 6 months ago. They do not care if they lose you as a customer. Will now never buy another Toyota.

 

[Hyde802]

Waa. Your 23 year old truck broke. Fix it and keep going. Maintain it better and it wont happen again... The 3.0 is nitrous for blown headgaskets due to poor cooling channels in the block. Ive seen many of them go over 200k with nothing more than regular maintenance.

Swearing off all Toyota because of this one instance it just plain ignorant.

 

[NorCalBorn]

Waa. Your 23 year old truck broke...

2012-1995=17, but I went to University, so my math may be wrong. :guitar3:

FWIW I have had the same experience with my June1995 manufacture date. In the end it can be a decision a dealer can make for themselves and put to Toyota for reimbursement under the guise of exceptional customer service and customer retention. Find someone local to you who owns a 3VZE or has and what preferred dealer they have used with success.

In my case it was a long arduous fight with TMSA that involved me paying for the work to get mine up and running again and going after them another way. Depending on the overall condition of the vehicle and your location I honestly would consider swapping it to a 3.4 and being done with it. If you have an automatic and decide to keep it go with an additional trans oil cooler b/c the combo of 3VZE+Auto=Overheat City for any reasonable driving with a load, whatever.



Good luck getting it fixed

 

[Hammer75]

Thanks NorCalBorn - don't have the "experience" and am a newby which is why I posted. Toyata would not provide any help - have been back and forth with them. Could you give me a bit more info on the 3.4 switch?

Hyde802 -swearing Toyota off since I have made several Toyota purchases - would think they would want to help a loyal customer to keep them coming back. I know this is a 17 yo vehicle and normally would not have an issue with aging problems - but the head gasket thing appeared to be a bigger issue than was identified by Toyota

 

[KidVermicious]

Hyde802 -swearing Toyota off since I have made several Toyota purchases - would think they would want to help a loyal customer to keep them coming back. I know this is a 17 yo vehicle and normally would not have an issue with aging problems - but the head gasket thing appeared to be a bigger issue than was identified by Toyota

That rig went seventeen years on a single head gasket, and you're complaining? Sure, it'd be great if Toyota replaced it for you, but they didn't. Get over it. Pitching the most reliable vehicle manufacturer in history because they won't give you free service for a repair issue that probably isn't their fault is petulant.

 

[Hammer75]

My old american iron did way better. if you do a little research the headgasket was a problem for these engines - i only have 100 k on it.

 

[KidVermicious]

if you do a little research the headgasket was a problem for these engines - i only have 100 k on it.

That was on the earlier 3.0s, do your own research. Your gasket blowing at 100k is just something that sometimes happens. But whatever. Go buy a Chrysler or something and see how they treat you when your American Iron needs a complete engine rebuild at 50k or the trans fails just outside the powertrain warranty.

We'll be waiting here, still driving our Toyotas at 300k and laughing.

 

[Hammer75]

well Kkd whatever just trying to get constructive help and not put up with nonsense. All my american cars went far beyond 100 k with no engine problems - and i beat the crap out of them

 

[Fj40]

well Kkd whatever just trying to get constructive help and not put up with nonsense. All my american cars went far beyond 100 k with no engine problems - and i beat the crap out of them

My 1997 F350 powerstroke has almost 300k and all it's had done is a lift pump and a turbo. That's with it chipped, exhaust, and air box mod pulling a 32' toy hauler for the last 150k. I'm with you, it's all about the maintenance.

 

[Blake H]

its faulty design but it IS a toyota either way

My 92 had the recall done on it at 132k or somewhat by the PO and I had called toyota to see if it had been done so I could do it if not.
There are a bunch of major cooling issues with these motors.. the designer of the 3vze was intoxicated on saki and opium when he designed it.
The water neck on the radiator on mine (and a friends) was too high, the cap was being,ever so slightly, compressed by the hood insulation,, causing it to not relieve itself at the designed PSI. Also make sure you pull the lines off at the oil cooler and make sure they are circulating coolant well, mine was clogged and caused problems with the rear heat not working (I dont know why or how so dont ask why it effects the rear heat or may be coincidence but it works now after clearing it) I found this little incident by chance when i was changing the oil seal on the oil cooler because of seepage and drip.
And here in is another flaw of the intoxicated designer... An oil cooler attached to the engine block RIGHT NEXT TO THE EXHAUST COLLECTOR :wow: I added a tange (basically a half inch wide by inch and a half peice if metal and drilled to holes in it) bolted the one end to the original mounting hole on the shroud and the other to the radiator , it brings it out toward the motor at top a bit wich with the angle my over flow hardly ever steams now once in a while when I was living in tucson while sitting at a drive through i the summer but thats it)
ramble ramble....
I have an awesome running 3.0 with around 130k on it for sale if you need one! $850.00

 

[toro78]

1995 4runner...propel shaft

Felt a vibration a few weeks ago thought it might be a low air tire...then realized it was the rest drive shaft before I could take it to the mechanic it blew out of the truck when I was doing 110km ...managed to get it to the shop in 4x4 had the shaft replaced drove it for a few clicks heard a nose turns out the tranny cracked due to a piece of either fly wheel or something else in the converter...anybody else had these problems???