Should I avoid a 4th Gen V6?
- Thread starter allmiller4u
- Start date
CookieRoe
Senior Member
DING DING DING DING:third:
97BlackAckCL
Elite Member
AVOID?
I've had 2 4th gen V6's and both have run great, no mechanical problems with the engine. 10 less hp than the V8, and less torque, but I have no need to tow anything large so I'll take the better gas mileage and 265 HP and I'm quite happy.
Timing chain FTW!
I've had 2 4th gen V6's and both have run great, no mechanical problems with the engine. 10 less hp than the V8, and less torque, but I have no need to tow anything large so I'll take the better gas mileage and 265 HP and I'm quite happy.
Timing chain FTW!
wnelax04sr5
New member
many members have 200k, some with 300k and have done nothing but change the oil. theres absolutely an issue with 03-05 head gaskets, but that doesnt mean every one of them will blow.
OP, see below. if you want a v8, get a v8, if you find a v6 you want, get a v6
dixie_boysles
New member
I've had my 06 V6 for three years. I bought it with 125k, now sitting at 205k, not one issue yet not even a check engine light
progress4m
Member
Somewhat agree… in addition:
4runners with 3.0 V6 (3.slow) had HG issues back in 2nd gen of 4Runners; it was (is) well known problem; 3.0 HG issue was very extensive (Toyota had acknowledge HG design flow and eventually issued a recall-HG repair/campaign) but there were many owners who had 200 K + on their trucks with no HG issues (ask me how I know);
By no means I am saying that 4.0 issue is as bad as it was with 3.0… it is not, but the fact that there people with 200 K (and 300 K) does not remove know HG issue with 4.0… especially since many people on this forum being the first owners, with well-maintained trucks, no overheating or abuse had HG blow with relatively low mileage -under 100 K…
Again my $.02
progress4m
Member
Correction: 2005 4Runner V8- 270 HP with 330 Lb-ft torque @ 3400 RPM, 2005 4Runner V6-245 HP with 282 Lb-ft torque @ 3800 RPM;
To really feel the difference, I would recommend driving one with V8;
Agree with timing chain on V6 vs. timing belt with V8… although it is interesting to note: (purely based on info from this forum) there were more reports of timing chain catastrophic failure on V6 vs. timing belt failure on V8-not including when timing belt we incorrectly replaced with Chinese parts.
BMeister
Member
Agree with timing chain on V6 vs. timing belt with V8… although it is interesting to note: (purely based on info from this forum) there were more reports of timing chain catastrophic failure on V6 vs. timing belt failure on V8-not including when timing belt we incorrectly replaced with Chinese parts.
Link please? I just did a quick search on timing chain failures and The first two pages didn't pull up any chain failures. I did see a few belt failures on V8's. Just curious where you're getting this info.
Flyingbread1
New member
I love my 2006 Sport Edition V6 with 150K miles, but if I had the chance to do it again I would have gone for the V8. I just wish I had more ooomf. I don't put too many highway miles on her so gas mileage is not that important, especially right now with cheap gas. It is honestly the only thing that I would change about my 4R other than wishing I could turn off traction control.
Sisente
Member
My two cents. Even as a "newbie" to the 4th gen v6 world, I think any vehicle (yes, even jeeps) will last as long as you treat them right. Regular maintenance, regular care. One thing I particularly like about the V6 vs the V8 is 2H. Living in Texas, there is no need for me to be driving around in 4H all the time. In the V6 you get, 2H, 4H, and 4L. In the V8 you get 4H and 4L.
I have an 03, V6 with 124K miles.
I have an 03, V6 with 124K miles.
greenscales
New member
Do not avoid. 05 v6 4x4. I am at 310K miles - 20 k in Baja fully loaded w/kayaks and fishing/camping gear hitting road obstacles at high speeds and muddy trails and beaches - always amazed at how well it has performed as a stock vehicle. Tough and safe. I have had a head gasket issue - but my fault. I ignored a light that I thought was standard maintenance because I was distracted by a sick family member and it ended up being a radiator leak. Engine overheated, head gasket melted, etc., etc., -- had to drop the engine and rebuild.
Weak points/problems - if or when you need to drop the engine - make sure they do timing belt and head gasket at same time - the stealership didn't do both and had to drop the engine again 2 1/2 years & 100k miles later - a ton of labor for a minor issue. Brakes - keep an eye on calipers and rotors - I had a lot of misdiagnosed issues w/rotor/pad replacements and maintenance that ended up being sticky calipers. A lack of power plug-ins and crappy plastic tie-down hooks in the back that can barely take shopping bags. Finally avoid the moon roof - cheap plastic gear that will strip with a grain - if it is real bad - $1k to get to it and fix - whole ceiling has to come off. Plus it averages only 17mpg in town or w/4wd and 21 in 2wd on hwy w/nothing on the roof.
So considering all of that - I have been asking my local dealership (largest in the world) and both sales reps and mechanics are telling me to stand pat because there is still not enough improvements to alternatives to justify the cost of a new vehicle. If they would bring in the 4x4 diesel Hilux or a competitor do something close and durable, I would make the change then. Hope that helps.
Weak points/problems - if or when you need to drop the engine - make sure they do timing belt and head gasket at same time - the stealership didn't do both and had to drop the engine again 2 1/2 years & 100k miles later - a ton of labor for a minor issue. Brakes - keep an eye on calipers and rotors - I had a lot of misdiagnosed issues w/rotor/pad replacements and maintenance that ended up being sticky calipers. A lack of power plug-ins and crappy plastic tie-down hooks in the back that can barely take shopping bags. Finally avoid the moon roof - cheap plastic gear that will strip with a grain - if it is real bad - $1k to get to it and fix - whole ceiling has to come off. Plus it averages only 17mpg in town or w/4wd and 21 in 2wd on hwy w/nothing on the roof.
So considering all of that - I have been asking my local dealership (largest in the world) and both sales reps and mechanics are telling me to stand pat because there is still not enough improvements to alternatives to justify the cost of a new vehicle. If they would bring in the 4x4 diesel Hilux or a competitor do something close and durable, I would make the change then. Hope that helps.
I've owned both V8 and V6, you should be more concerned with finding a 4runner that has been treated well and is in great shape rather than just V8 or V6. Both are great engines in my opinion, and to be honest, I like my V6 just as much as the V8, they both have advantages, slight edge to V8 for being a V8 lol.
flighht2k5
New member
greenscales
New member
My bad - typing while talking to my company on the phone - timing chain. A belt would have been a lot easier and cheaper to deal with - but not lasted nearly as long.
progress4m
Member
From a quick search, here are couple (one with broken and another with stretched chain on V6 4.0)
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/79432-all-you-need-new-engine-happy-new-year.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/129874-timing-chain-stretch-v6-4-0-a.html
There were others, but I need to spend some time to find them (I have contributed to one of the threads above so it was easy for me to find it);
And again I do not remember one case when OEM T-belt would break (or stretch) on V8, normally you see those after t-belt was changed and quality of the work or parts was questionable;
So my logic is if you change T-belt with quality parts (and work) you are good for another 100K, for some it maybe a pain and for others (who keeps vehicle for long time) it is a sense of greater security and better tuned engine in the long run vs. timing chain (that eventually will stretch or brake);
Just FYI and not that I am recommending it, but there are plenty of examples out there where Toyota’s 4.7 V8 have over 200 k on the original belt… in all applications that V8 was used : LC, Tundras, GX and LX470 as well as 4Runners;
No reason to avoid either engine. A friend of mine has a V8 and never any issues. When I got my 08 I specifically preferred a v6 because I did not want a timing belt and I also preferred the ability to select 4wd when I want it rather than it being 4wd all the time. Again, its all preference. These 4 Runners are rock solid reliable no matter how configured.
mace4runner
New member
I too was worried about this... when buying mine.. asking the same questions.
to me, the difference in gas -- while some people say "there isnt much difference" -- was a big difference.
I ended up with a 2003 v6 -- 135K with zero issues so far.
i bought it from an older woman.. one owner... and she had every record since new. it was in perfect shape when i bought it ... and still is.
i know the "trip computer" on these things are optimistic - since it is showing i get about 20.8 MPG.
I am probably more in the 19 mpg range.... vs 14-15 with a v8. I drive a lot, and though gas is cheap... that adds up for me. $50-$60 more a month in gas... swayed me towards the v6.
to me, the difference in gas -- while some people say "there isnt much difference" -- was a big difference.
I ended up with a 2003 v6 -- 135K with zero issues so far.
i bought it from an older woman.. one owner... and she had every record since new. it was in perfect shape when i bought it ... and still is.
i know the "trip computer" on these things are optimistic - since it is showing i get about 20.8 MPG.
I am probably more in the 19 mpg range.... vs 14-15 with a v8. I drive a lot, and though gas is cheap... that adds up for me. $50-$60 more a month in gas... swayed me towards the v6.
gm350reratliff
New member
Both engines are great and each one has pros and cons to go with it. The V8 requires a timing belt change every 100k. The air injection system can fail on the V8 and is expensive to fix (there are write-ups on how to bypass and prevent this). Less MPG depending how and where you drive. If you plan to lift and add big tires, it may be a little less taxing on the V8 vs V6.
My 2008 is a V6 with 148k and has been absolutely perfect. Plenty of power for what I do and has seen temperatures from -35 to 120F. I believe the key to keeping timing chains from stretching is clean oil in the right viscosity. Fuel dilution in the oil is probably the worst thing for timing chains. The timing chain is designed to last the life of the engine, however long that might be.
A head gasket can fail on any vehicle at any time, just like any other part. Avoiding one or the other doesn't remove the risk of something major failing down the road. Just like owning a Toyota vs a Jeep for example. There have been lemon 4runners just like there are lemon Jeeps.
Honestly, I'm more paranoid about the master cylinder failing when I'm in heavy traffic or coming down a steep mountain trail. I would avoid the moon roof if possible, they all seem to start rattling/leaking and fail at some point. That goes for every make and model out there. I would take the increased headroom over the moon roof any day.
My 2008 is a V6 with 148k and has been absolutely perfect. Plenty of power for what I do and has seen temperatures from -35 to 120F. I believe the key to keeping timing chains from stretching is clean oil in the right viscosity. Fuel dilution in the oil is probably the worst thing for timing chains. The timing chain is designed to last the life of the engine, however long that might be.
A head gasket can fail on any vehicle at any time, just like any other part. Avoiding one or the other doesn't remove the risk of something major failing down the road. Just like owning a Toyota vs a Jeep for example. There have been lemon 4runners just like there are lemon Jeeps.
Honestly, I'm more paranoid about the master cylinder failing when I'm in heavy traffic or coming down a steep mountain trail. I would avoid the moon roof if possible, they all seem to start rattling/leaking and fail at some point. That goes for every make and model out there. I would take the increased headroom over the moon roof any day.
