Rough start up and smoke

[Chuckles89]

Hello all, I mostly hang around in the classics section, but we also have a 4th gen. Here lately, we have been having a rough idle on some cold starts. Now, there is sometimes white smoke that stops when the idle goes back to normal. (We rev the engine for a few seconds and the idle goes to normal). We have also got the misfire code for cylinder 6. It is not the coil pack going bad. The coolant level may be going down slightly, but it is not noticeable. We replaced the coolant about 4 months ago and is smells strange compared to the coolant in our Celica that we did at the same time. We had the cylinders scoped about 5 months ago and they looked normal then.

I realize that there are other threads on here about this, but most of them have no solutions. Any help is appreciated.

Specs: 2004 v6 auto 185000 miles

If this turns about to be the head gaskets, then Toyota has really gone down in quality. The 1989 I'm my signature had 490000 miles on the original, not rebuilt, 22re when we sold it.

 

[zopperman]

Sounds like a head gasket to me. White smoke etc...
Relatively pervasive issue with the v6 engine unfortunately

 

[WXman]

Yep, sounds like the infamous head gasket issue. I did some research on here before buying mine. Already knew I wanted the V8 but when I saw all the head gasket failures it sealed the deal for me.

And, as for Toyota quality going downhill that's a myth. Toyota never really had better quality. Sure, the engines from the 80s and 90s would last forever, but so would anything else that was maintained properly. I've seen tons of old Jeeps with 500,000 or more on the odo. And, as you show in your avatar, there isn't one single Toyota from the 80s or 90s that I have ever seen that didn't have the body literally rust and fall off the frame. Just utter garbage to be honest. But, they had a magical PR department that brainwashed 200,000,000 Americans into thinking their cars and trucks were flawless.

For your head gasket issue, I'd check into a local reputable shop and get quotes. I'll bet they will be much less $$$ than a dealership repair.

 

[Chuckles89]

Still, there is no reason for the hg to go at this low of a mileage with it never overheating.

 

[zopperman]

Still, there is no reason for the hg to go at this low of a mileage with it never overheating.

Search around the forum... Many have

 

[helo-mech]

Still, there is no reason for the hg to go at this low of a mileage with it never overheating.

Search around the forum... Many have

Yeah mine went 3 days ago. No overheat. Last page of this post: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...mited-edition-4runner-4x4-head-gasket-12.html

Give me a bout 2 weeks and I should have some rebuild steps for you.

 

[zopperman]

Yeah mine did went 3 days ago. No overheat.

Sorry man out:

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Do we really need to get into this again?

Toyota did have better quality than most manufacturers in many respects and on top of that they had good customer support. Toyota, Honda, VW, Mercedes, and most everyone else didn't need a government bailout because of poor quality, poor fit and finish, poor customer support, ect.

The Headgasket issue is something that is known, but currently not accepted by Toyota as of yet. I would report the issue to Toyota in as much detail as possible (as I recommend every owner with this issue do) Toyota won't do anything without large numbers of similar complaints...

But there is an updated headgasket available for the 1GR-FE engine.

 

[Chuckles89]

Did a leak down test today .... it is the head gaskets

Who do we email /call to make a claim with Toyota?

What are the recommended things to replace at this time?

- Chuckes -

 

[Chuckles89]

Just took it to the shop today. Estimated labor hours 29. With our friend discount, the labor is still a little over two grand. That does not include parts. :sad:

 

[zopperman]

Just took it to the shop today. Estimated labor hours 29. With our friend discount, the labor is still a little over two grand. That does not include parts. :sad:

Sorry to hear it man.

 

[KidVermicious]

Yeah mine went 3 days ago. No overheat. Last page of this post: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...mited-edition-4runner-4x4-head-gasket-12.html

Give me a bout 2 weeks and I should have some rebuild steps for you.

Oh, sure, you'll sell your first gen because you're scared of maintenance but you'll dive right into a 4th gen, huh?

 

[helo-mech]

Oh, sure, you'll sell your first gen because you're scared of maintenance but you'll dive right into a 4th gen, huh?

Nope, had to get rid of it. We looked at doing the fix but in the end, I just don't have the time. I am not in a great mood about it all right now.

 

[KidVermicious]

Nope, had to get rid of it. We looked at doing the fix but in the end, I just don't have the time. I am not in a great mood about it all right now.

Dude, that sucks.

 

[Chuckles89]

We just got it back from being in the shop for two weeks. $700 in parts and $3,000 in labor. out: :frusty:

The parts include new gaskets and seals all around, new water pump, timing chain, and radiator.

 

[450exc115]

29 hrs to do head gaskets? That is insane. did they resurface theheads?

 

[BlackWorksInc]

29 hrs to do head gaskets? That is insane. did they resurface theheads?

That's not at all too surprising, with how much crap goes into todays over's complicated engines and systems that sounds about right. You'll probably spend a 1/4 of that time unplugging, replugging, and/or relearning sensors and crap.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Did a leak down test today .... it is the head gaskets

Who do we email /call to make a claim with Toyota?

What are the recommended things to replace at this time?

- Chuckes -

Why do you think Toyota should pay for this? Your 4runner has more miles on it than they probably consider is its normal life expectancy. Toyota honored its contract by having a warranty for a limited period and it made it to that point just fine. Anything after the warranty you are on your own. Just normal wear and tear. If Toyota pays for this they should also pay for my leaking transfer case actuator and my speedometer that quit working at less than 70k miles on my 03 .