*** V6 Head Gasket Action Request ***

[YetiX]

Any check engine light? I think your coolant was just that low and just keep an eye on it, keep it on full and make sure when engine is cold to open the radiator cap and make sure it is completely full too.

Probably don't make you fell any better, but if there is no check engine light and no miss fire code pointing at the 6th or 4th cylinders, your probably in the clear. Your oil fill cap may have been dry, from lack of use, the first time you looked at it, and some driving around moistened it to where it looks different when wet.

Just be diligent on filling the coolant, my 2005 was similar, filled it a couple of times to find it low again and had a history code of P0300, misfire, but didn't point at any cylinder and seems fine after all. A P0306 or P0304 would make doing more diagnosis eminently pertinent.

If you got a code reader or go where they can read codes, like Auto Zone, and see if there is any history codes (which could be under enhanced codes too).

Fwiw, mine did not have any CEL's ever. It did have the rough start when cold, rushing water sound, low coolant and strong gasoline odor in the coolant.

 

[monkeywrenchMoose]

Any check engine light? I think your coolant was just that low and just keep an eye on it, keep it on full and make sure when engine is cold to open the radiator cap and make sure it is completely full too.

Probably don't make you fell any better, but if there is no check engine light and no miss fire code pointing at the 6th or 4th cylinders, your probably in the clear. Your oil fill cap may have been dry, from lack of use, the first time you looked at it, and some driving around moistened it to where it looks different when wet.

Just be diligent on filling the coolant, my 2005 was similar, filled it a couple of times to find it low again and had a history code of P0300, misfire, but didn't point at any cylinder and seems fine after all. A P0306 or P0304 would make doing more diagnosis eminently pertinent.

If you got a code reader or go where they can read codes, like Auto Zone, and see if there is any history codes (which could be under enhanced codes too).

No check engine light. I'm debating getting a code reader. Thanks for the tips, I'll check the radiator tomorrow morning.

I had a head gasket leak. My oil filler cap never showed any signs of it. The place where 4Runner tend to leak is right near a coolant passage so what happens is that coolant gets pressurized with combustion. Open your radiator when the engine is cold. If you smell a strong odor of gasoline, you may have a head gasket leak.

Also, totally agree with those suggesting that your oil cap is due to short trips in cold weather. Used to get that on my X5 during ski season in Mammoth. If I only drove a mile or two a day I would get that.

Thanks. I'm just nervous because I had a Mazda 3 that was horribly unreliable and expensive. The reason I bought a 4runner was the legendary reliability. Good to know that even if it does end up as a head gasket, by all accounts if done right, the engine shouldn't really have any other problems.

Don't panick just yet, wait a while and see how it plays out, it could be just from condensation, pay attention to how it runs, keep watching the coolant level and listen for the possible "waterfall" sound from the heater core.

This is sage advice I think. And the gasoline smell in the radiator. I'll check it out tomorrow.



Thanks all.

 

[AuSeeker]

No check engine light. I'm debating getting a code reader. Thanks for the tips, I'll check the radiator tomorrow morning.



Thanks. I'm just nervous because I had a Mazda 3 that was horribly unreliable and expensive. The reason I bought a 4runner was the legendary reliability. Good to know that even if it does end up as a head gasket, by all accounts if done right, the engine shouldn't really have any other problems.



This is sage advice I think. And the gasoline smell in the radiator. I'll check it out tomorrow.



Thanks all.

It's exhaust gases more so than gasoline that gets into the coolant, if you still think later on that it's possbile you have a bad head gasket you can buy a detection kit to confirm there is exhaust gases in your coolant.

 

[Slowgoat]

You could be losing coolant like I was. Sometimes none, sometimes a little, sometimes half the reservoir between checking it at each fill up.

I had a pinhole leak on the top of my radiator, and you only could see it if you popped the bracket off at the top of the radiator.

I hope it is minor or nothing. The condensation on short trips is a well known issue too. Don’t sweat it until you have solid evidence.

In medicine they say “when you hear hoofbeats, look for horses, not zebras”.

 

[UURunner]

You could be losing coolant like I was. Sometimes none, sometimes a little, sometimes half the reservoir between checking it at each fill up.

I had a pinhole leak on the top of my radiator, and you only could see it if you popped the bracket off at the top of the radiator.

I hope it is minor or nothing. The condensation on short trips is a well known issue too. Don’t sweat it until you have solid evidence.

In medicine they say “when you hear hoofbeats, look for horses, not zebras”.

So was your coolant leaking on the ground?


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[Slowgoat]

So was your coolant leaking on the ground?


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It was building up at the leak.

It looked like a pink mountain made of candle wax.

I put a pic up here somewhere. I’ll find it.

 

[84ability]

Just bought a 2008. Thought I did my research, lurked on this forum for a week before buying, was looking at a 2006 and a 2008. Went with the 2008 due to rusty frame on 2006 and the fact that they had head gasket issues.

When I was doing my pre-buy inspection I checked (amongst numerous other things) the coolant level and the underside of the oil filler cap. Coolant reservoir was at the Low line and there was no white froth underneath the cap, just what looked like brownish old oil. Thought I was fine. Didn't put two and two together that coolant reservoir should be up to the full line, just thought it was an older vehicle.

Bought it on 11/29. Immediately drove it 2 miles down the street to have Jiffy Lube do an oil change before I drove it home. Asked them to top off coolant. Didn't verify coolant was topped off before driving home. Was showing off the engine to my dad when I got home and saw coolant level was the same as when I inspected it on the lot. Kicked myself for taking it to the kids at JiffyLube 20 minutes before close. Topped off coolant. Still didn't put it together.

5 days later, battery fails during first cold snap. New battery installed. A quick glance at the coolant showed it was now an inch below the low line, AGAIN. Bought some Toyota pink coolant and topped it off to the full line. Never any drops of coolant in the driveway.

2 days later, I go to check coolant level and it remains at full line but work has been busy and I've only driven 10 miles. However, now my oil filler cap looks like this.

I think I would have the first 2008 head gasket leak.

Thoughts?

EDIT: This (and a few other threads on here) seem to indicate that this is normal with short trip driving in cold weather "due to the long filler neck" accumulating condensation. My heart latches onto that tidbit, but my head thinks otherwise.

Is this the first car you've pulled the oil cap on during the winter? This is totally normal. Look at some other cars.

 

[Elan750]

Is this the first car you've pulled the oil cap on during the winter? This is totally normal. Look at some other cars.

Im leaning toward post-purchase paranoia.

Just watch that fluid for a while. I have a slight HG leak, but 10k miles later the computer still hasnt detected it, and the truck runs great. I put in about 5oz of antifreeze every 6-8 weeks. I'm hoping to at least make it to summer before its a real concern.

If you can't help yourself, look at the plugs, get a boroscope, or an oil analysis from blackstone.

 

[Slowgoat]

Found the pic of the radiator.

 

[Kram]

No need to worry

Just bought a 2008. Thought I did my research, lurked on this forum for a week before buying, was looking at a 2006 and a 2008. Went with the 2008 due to rusty frame on 2006 and the fact that they had head gasket issues.

When I was doing my pre-buy inspection I checked (amongst numerous other things) the coolant level and the underside of the oil filler cap. Coolant reservoir was at the Low line and there was no white froth underneath the cap, just what looked like brownish old oil. Thought I was fine. Didn't put two and two together that coolant reservoir should be up to the full line, just thought it was an older vehicle.

Bought it on 11/29. Immediately drove it 2 miles down the street to have Jiffy Lube do an oil change before I drove it home. Asked them to top off coolant. Didn't verify coolant was topped off before driving home. Was showing off the engine to my dad when I got home and saw coolant level was the same as when I inspected it on the lot. Kicked myself for taking it to the kids at JiffyLube 20 minutes before close. Topped off coolant. Still didn't put it together.

5 days later, battery fails during first cold snap. New battery installed. A quick glance at the coolant showed it was now an inch below the low line, AGAIN. Bought some Toyota pink coolant and topped it off to the full line. Never any drops of coolant in the driveway.

2 days later, I go to check coolant level and it remains at full line but work has been busy and I've only driven 10 miles. However, now my oil filler cap looks like this.


Toyota figured out after the 06s that the aluminum head that was new in 04-06 needed a thicker head gasket, which is what I had to put on my 04 after it blew. So your good. I love my truck even after that issue. Owned it 3 years now and finally about to do a lift and new exhaust!

 

[clg4th]

06 t4r, 170k miles. milky deposit under oil cap, rushing water noise behind dash, expansion tank empty after fill ups and a few days of driving, only a slight hesitation on startup but doesn't seem to be temperature effected, smell of coolant while idling on starts. No CEL's, no signs of leaks.

Is my next step a hydrocarbon test?

 

[YetiX]

06 t4r, 170k miles. milky deposit under oil cap, rushing water noise behind dash, expansion tank empty after fill ups and a few days of driving, only a slight hesitation on startup but doesn't seem to be temperature effected, smell of coolant while idling on starts. No CEL's, no signs of leaks.

Is my next step a hydrocarbon test?

Yessir. Sorry to hear it.

 

[Supersonic]

rushing water noise behind dash, expansion tank empty after fill ups... smell of coolant while idling on starts. No CEL's, no signs of leaks.

Is my next step a hydrocarbon test?

How often did you check the coolant before all this started? I still think it possible your coolant was real low before you checked it, it burped a couple of times between the fill-ups, and you might need a new radiator cap and look for signs of dried coolant on the radiator and everywhere else. Check your exhaust for white smoke too.

 

[clg4th]

No dried up coolant, no smoke. I've topped up and burped a half dozen times, check every few fill-ups.

 

[mooch91]

The cutoff date for "updated" head gaskets has been reported as 12/05 from what I read here. Is there anything more definitive on this, or a serial number range to validate? My recently acquired 2006 with 167K miles was built 12/05...

 

[YetiX]

The cutoff date for "updated" head gaskets has been reported as 12/05 from what I read here. Is there anything more definitive on this, or a serial number range to validate? My recently acquired 2006 with 167K miles was built 12/05...

Not that I have been able to locate and believe me I have looked. Sorry.

 

[Marde]

My friend has a 2005 V6 2x4, and I am the usual caregiver. This truck had/has an intermittent misfire of #4 and #6 and loss of coolant here-and-there. It is an obvious HG issue, but the darn HG has hung-in-there, and not had a hard fail yet. Been this way for over 2-3 years. Just finished surfing some of this thread a second time. On my way over to visit this 4R now, and will smell the radiator coolant for gas-like smells.

I am not sure if I am going to replace the HG yet. I know I should. But the 4R owner is not happy to spend the cost of parts and my cheap & slow labor. TBD. This 4R is a milk-getter, goes to work each day, and sees little action.

...My head gasket next to the faulty #6 cylinder has the usual missing black section on the gasket between 4 and 6. Pretty sure that is where the leak came from, same as others reported.

Just an FYI for those doing the repair themselves...

Thanks Kashmore. Happy to hear from someone who had eyeballs on the #4 to #6 HG leak area. I am not looking forward to this HG job. I did only one HG job before, on a Mitsu 4-banger, and it was not fun. But it was successful. Darn-it. Now I might have to do this 4R HG. Uhg. Please, someone just shoot me.

2005 V6 4x2
225,000 miles

 

[taco-1grfe]

Hello to all,
I read through this thread and although I am a Taco owner, I felt it necessary to join and share my data.

I have a 2005 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport Ed. With a 1GR-FE. I purchased it brand new in june 2005. I realize now that the head gaskets were faulty from the day I bought it, but it was so small it took about 120,000 miles to completely show signs.


Since day one, I noticed every few months I had to add a little coolant, I also noticed that it seemed like more than average amount of water dripped from the tailpipe.

I have no doubt in my mind, there was absolutely a defect in the 1GR-FE engines manu. between 2004-early 2006!

I shrugged it off as 'normal' since this was the first year run for this model.

At about 120,000 miles, I picked up a friend who has been a mechanic for over 40 years to go to lunch one day. We got in the truck, I started it, he said "how long have your head gaskets been bad?" I laughed and said, they are not?

He said, yes they are! When you started the truck I heard bubbles in tge heater core. I adimantly argued against him.....

Well, not long after, started getting error code on cyl. 6. Yes, he was absolutely correct!

Fast forward, I did my research, They very best 1GR-FE engines ever produced were in 2008-2009, built in Japan, installed in FJ's in Japan, then the FJ's were shipped to the US. VIN's on those FJ's start with J.

I tracked down a fellow Toyota enthusiast who happen to have one on hand that he removed when he did a V8 swap in his FJ.

I put the engine in myself, first crank, she purrrrred like a kitten! No little trimmers on first start, no extra ticks, etc. I have about 20,000 miles on the J VIN 1GR-FE, have not lost a drop of coolant!!!! No excessive water from the tailpipe. The FJ, J VIN engine sounds better than my original engine when it was brand new!

I did the 2005-2011 to 2012-2015 mod (meaning I replaced the front cap with a brand new 2015 front cap) and then had the entire truck gone over, all dents/dings removed and repainted with original OEM paint. When the sanded and prepped the doors, the tag was removed. I still have my original 1GR-FE in my shop, so unless I can get the manu. date from EIN or VIN, that data is lost forever. But 11th digit on VIN is 0, the first digit is 5.sorry

For the long post, but I think what you guys are doing is great and I wanted to contribute as much as I could

I wish a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!

 

[taco-1grfe]

I forgot to mention this. If you are wondering about complaints made to Toyota... PLEASE everyone call Toyota USA Corp. office and make documented complaints. A while back I hired a lawyer. Every doc. regarding my VIN and/or my name had to be provided to me via my attorney. You would be surprised at the amount of info. Toyota collects. One of which is complaints... and in great detail. Every Toyota owner has a 'file' that any Toyota USA Corp. and every dealership can access and contribute. So when you email Toyota USA, if you call Toyota USA, if you email a dealership, every word is logged. I literally have printouts. So please, if you have had head gasket issues, at least call Toyota USA and make formal complaints to at least log the issue.

 

[H2omike65]

Head gasket repair

Check engine light came on, dealer replaced both head gaskets and machined heads.
2005 4Runner 206,000 miles, production date 7/05, 2 wheel drive.

Christmas Day and the light came back on after 12 miles and one day.
Runs rough also.
I’ll be at the dealers at 7:00 AM tomorrow..