Sandy took my 4Runner! HELP needed

[Kalva]

Sandy took my 4Runner! Head Gasket HELP needed

Well I thought I saved my 2000 4runner from the rising waters in Long Beach NY, only to find out I have a head gasket issue I didn't have before the storm. Best I can say is I was running a power inverter installed in the 4runner as a generator to power the refrigerator and some lights for a few hours at a time (2-4 hours idling) this alone shouldn't have blown a head gasket but maybe it was week to start.

I didn’t have full coverage insurance and because the wife’s Camry survived FEMA is no help so I must repair the 4runner myself, as I’m not employed I have sometime on my hands.

History:
Picked up the 4runner in July with 127,000 miles and now she has 130,000 so I want to keep the truck, she helped my family out during the first 3 days of the storm / black out and I now have a soft spot for her. I will not junk her, its not economical to replace the 4runner, and I will bring the engine back to life. Money is an issue so no remanufactured motors or junk yard specials, this engine should be good shape it was a one owner car with a stack of service records.
I’m looking to replace the head gasket & pick up a timing belt kit from aircabinman on eBay for 355.00 shipped


Diagnoses:
Idling in front of my house powering lights etc, I checked the 4runner and saw the temp needle was ¾ up moving towards HOT. Never happened before, I shut her down, checked the radiator fluid, none in reserve tank, low in the radiator so I filled both and saw some brown milk shake. Oil was lighter brown/black = oil and anti frezz mixing. I had no choice I had to drive her about an additional 35miles highway but I didn’t push her above 2500 rpm and added more oil. Now she sits in front of my house, starts like a charm every time

Now for a little Help: I found the Toyota overhaul gasket set from Toyota but can not find any information on the parts included or parts numbers. Anyone have this info or parts list for a Head gasket repair? I would like OE head gaskets and valve stem seals etc.

Mechanical Catalog - 2000 - Toyota - 4RUNNER
engine, overhaul gasket set 4-Runner From 1/99 California 3.4L 349.00 plus shipping

2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER Parts - Carson Toyota/Scion/Lexus Ultimate OEM Parts

Thanks,
Karl

 

[t4r4life]

im sorry but this could've been easily prevented, the truck overheated because it was not moving, especially at idle when the engine fan is not moving fast.

Let me check my alldata i'll post info later

 

[the great him]

im sorry but this could've been easily prevented, the truck overheated because it was not moving, especially at idle when the engine fan is not moving fast.

Let me check my alldata i'll post info later

I have left my runner idling for hours at a time with no ill affects what so ever, infact I just did it yesterday for about 4hours and had zero issues. So your theory of it idling and the fans not bringing enough air is is just not accurate. -i would have even less airflow than a stock rig too.


To the OP, sorry to hear about your loss, happy to hear your runner sacrificed itself for your family, hope you get it back to good health soon, I don't have the parts list you are looking for.

 

[t4r4life]

here is the info for your truck
it depends on the exact date of when the truck is made i think because 1999- 07/2000 has a different part# than the 08/2000- 2002

04111 GASKET KIT, ENGINE OVERHAUL
04111‑62140 5VZFE..VZN18* 1 $369.86
04111‑62150 5VZFE..VZN18*, CALIFORNIA SPEC (01/1999 - 07/2000) 1 $406.86
04111‑62180 5VZFE..VZN18* (08/2000 - ) 1 $406.86
04112 GASKET KIT, ENGINE VALVE GRIND
04112‑62120 5VZFE..VZN18* 1 $295.90
04112‑62130 5VZFE..VZN18*, CALIFORNIA SPEC (01/1999 - 07/2000) 1 $325.50
04112‑62150 5VZFE..VZN18* (08/2000 - ) 1 $325.50

it won't show me the content but it basically has a set of valve cover gasket, throttle body gasket, upper and lower intake plenum gaskets, thermostat gasket, head gasket, and various bolts and washers which you can reuse all your old ones. I see you are already planning on doing the timing belt together which is great since you are already opening up the engine.

i would also replace the radiator and flush the engine.

Also you can use http://www.toyodiy.com if you need parts number

 

[t4r4life]

I have left my runner idling for hours at a time with no ill affects what so ever, infact I just did it yesterday for about 4hours and had zero issues. So your theory of it idling and the fans not bringing enough air is is just not accurate. -i would have even less airflow than a stock rig too.

just because something bad didn't happen to your rig doesn't mean it can't happen to others.

 

[DeathCougar]

just because something bad didn't happen to your rig doesn't mean it can't happen to others.

Except you really are wrong.

You can idle a vehicle for hours on end, with no ill effects. The fan clutch (should) will lock up and turn the fan, cooling the engine down. Letting a vehicle sit and idle won't affect it. Otherwise, people who live in LA and Seattle would be screwed!

 

[snow junky]

i would bet $1.00 your fan clutch is bad or your thermostat is bad. why do you think sandy did this?

 

[rm2fast]

Mines idle for hours with no issues my buddy started his civic to warm it up for work at 5am decided to take his truck and forgot the car was running, worked his 10 hr shift and was still running when he got home temp gauge normal. Didn't faze it. I dont think the storm caused it, chances are your thermostat or radiator went bad and when it got hot it poped the head gasket/ possibly some warped heads as well depending how hot it hot

 

[blizz86]

i would bet $1.00 your fan clutch is bad or your thermostat is bad. why do you think sandy did this?

must have been jealous of the wife.. :uzi:

 

[the great him]

just because something bad didn't happen to your rig doesn't mean it can't happen to others.

except ive done this repeatedly on several rigs, never had a single problem.

police leave their cars running all the time, same with fire departments ect. when that 10hr shift starts so does the car, and it wont shut down the the end of the shift.

unfortunately like others have stated the thermostat(my guess) or the fan clutch went bad and its only a coincidence that this happened during the storm

 

[BlackCat914]

holy cripes, you guys are a bunch of whiners! Should the truck have overheated? No. Did it? Yes. So instead of arguing about the semantics of the whole fvcking ordeal, why don't we try to help the guy get back on the right track? I'm off today but can also check alldata for some additional info for you tomorrow. Shoot me a PM if you're have specific questions, I work for GM but have a pretty good relationship with the Toyota store down the street.

 

[Gerdo]

im sorry but this could've been easily prevented, the truck overheated because it was not moving, especially at idle when the engine fan is not moving fast.

Let me check my alldata i'll post info later

except ive done this repeatedly on several rigs, never had a single problem.

police leave their cars running all the time, same with fire departments ect. when that 10hr shift starts so does the car, and it wont shut down the the end of the shift.

unfortunately like others have stated the thermostat(my guess) or the fan clutch went bad and its only a coincidence that this happened during the storm

I have been at multiple proving grounds and the test drivers will leave the test vehicles idle for hours, AC on. I have seen this in the Mesa desert at 120*+ without an issue. And these were domestic cars.

It does sound like it did overheat and caused an issue, probably a head gasket. This overheating probably was due to a bad thermostat and or fan clutch.

 

[the great him]

holy cripes, you guys are a bunch of whiners! Should the truck have overheated? No. Did it? Yes. So instead of arguing about the semantics of the whole fvcking ordeal, why don't we try to help the guy get back on the right track? I'm off today but can also check alldata for some additional info for you tomorrow. Shoot me a PM if you're have specific questions, I work for GM but have a pretty good relationship with the Toyota store down the street.

T4R4LIFE got him the brake down from alldata already that was about 6 posts ago... no one was arguing here. rather simply just trying to prevent miss information from going out to others. calm down and enjoy your day off

 

[Supermoney]

Idling is bad for engines, it's been beaten to death.

Why else do Ambulances engines get rebuilt multiple times?

 

[the great him]

Idling is bad for engines, it's been beaten to death.

Why else do Ambulances engines get rebuilt multiple times?

i worked for several years as a tech for one of the largest private ambulance companies in the PNW, and i have never heard of this... nor did we have to rebuild engines

 

[02SE]

Rather than going on about possible reasons as to why it overheated, I would just like to suggest to the original poster that he not get under his 4Runner, with one of the ramps sinking into the grass.

If you insist on using those ramps, at least use them on solid ground such as concrete or asphalt.

Otherwise this might turn from being an inconvenience, into a tragedy.

Good luck.

 

[Kalva]

Rather than going on about possible reasons as to why it overheated, I would just like to suggest to the original poster that he not get under his 4Runner, with one of the ramps sinking into the grass.

If you insist on using those ramps, at least use them on solid ground such as concrete or asphalt.

Otherwise this might turn from being an inconvenience, into a tragedy.

Good luck.

I agree, she overheated for whatever reason/s. I drove up those ramps in complete darkness with a buddy holding a small flash light in thigh deep rising water, the pics are from the next day and I was amazed it didn't fall when I saw it. Everyone on my block that left their cars / SUVs in the street have non working, flooded vehicles, Yet my 4runner has a beating heart with a little leak :trophy:

 

[Kalva]

here is the info for your truck
it depends on the exact date of when the truck is made i think because 1999- 07/2000 has a different part# than the 08/2000- 2002

04111 GASKET KIT, ENGINE OVERHAUL
04111‑62140 5VZFE..VZN18* 1 $369.86
04111‑62150 5VZFE..VZN18*, CALIFORNIA SPEC (01/1999 - 07/2000) 1 $406.86
04111‑62180 5VZFE..VZN18* (08/2000 - ) 1 $406.86
04112 GASKET KIT, ENGINE VALVE GRIND
04112‑62120 5VZFE..VZN18* 1 $295.90
04112‑62130 5VZFE..VZN18*, CALIFORNIA SPEC (01/1999 - 07/2000) 1 $325.50
04112‑62150 5VZFE..VZN18* (08/2000 - ) 1 $325.50

it won't show me the content but it basically has a set of valve cover gasket, throttle body gasket, upper and lower intake plenum gaskets, thermostat gasket, head gasket, and various bolts and washers which you can reuse all your old ones. I see you are already planning on doing the timing belt together which is great since you are already opening up the engine.

i would also replace the radiator and flush the engine.

Also you can use http://www.toyodiy.com if you need parts number

Thanks for the help.
My Vin # is JT3HN86R4Y0315957 Born on date was 05/00 Also, I have California emissions.

I'm looking to order:
GASKET KIT, ENGINE VALVE GRIND
04112‑62130 5VZFE..VZN18*, CALIFORNIA SPEC (01/1999 - 07/2000) $325.50

Toyota TIMING BELT & WATER PUMP KIT Genuine & OEM Parts Ebay 355.28 Shipped. (I priced it out part for part and it came to 435.99)

Plus full tune up and fluids. This is looking to be around 850.00 in parts plus whatever the mechine shop charges to grind and clean the heads.

Can you confirm I'm ordering the right parts?

 

[02SE]

I agree, she overheated for whatever reason/s.

I should've added in my first post that if everything on the 4Runner is working as designed, it could idle all day, every day, without overheating.

The fact that it did overheat, means that there is a problem somewhere. You can put new headgaskets on it, make sure the heads aren't warped, new water pump, etc. But you still need to figure out what failed, and caused the overheating in the first place.

 

[t4r4life]

Thanks for the help.
My Vin # is JT3HN86R4Y0315957 Born on date was 05/00 Also, I have California emissions.

I'm looking to order:
GASKET KIT, ENGINE VALVE GRIND
04112‑62130 5VZFE..VZN18*, CALIFORNIA SPEC (01/1999 - 07/2000) $325.50

Toyota TIMING BELT & WATER PUMP KIT Genuine & OEM Parts Ebay 355.28 Shipped. (I priced it out part for part and it came to 435.99)

Plus full tune up and fluids. This is looking to be around 850.00 in parts plus whatever the mechine shop charges to grind and clean the heads.

Can you confirm I'm ordering the right parts?

04112‑62130 is the right part number but you can get this a lot cheaper from other toyota parts websites i've seen such as this im sure you can get it cheaper if you dont mind couple days of waiting, i've been using Genuine Toyota Parts - Deland Toyota Parts they are the cheapest around. i checked for you and the kit is 254 plus shipping.