*** V6 Head Gasket Action Request ***

[NuclearN8]

*** V6 Head Gasket Information Thread ***

I created this thread to keep track of all V6 head gasket failure (and related) discussion threads on this forum (and others) to allow people to draw their own conclusions on the topic.

So here's what I've collected....

General 1GR-FE info

Head gasket failures are reported across multiple forums for the 1GR-FE V6 engine (4Runners, Tacomas and FJ Cruisers all use this engine)
This Forum (several DIY HG replacement threads toward the bottom which are great):
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...ket-survey-specifically-v6-4.html#post1800839
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/176459-1gre-fe-head-gasket-redesigned-when.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...mited-edition-4runner-4x4-head-gasket-15.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/149415-preventing-blown-head-gaskets-v6-2.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/174451-new-member-need-help-p304-misfire.html#post1806657
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/73706-2004-limited-edition-4runner-4x4-head-gasket.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...sket-issue-2004-4runner-v6-thousand-time.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/72682-p0306-misfire-rough-idle.html
T120:
Head Gasket Blown - 2004 V6 - Toyota 120 Platforms
Forum
TW:
1GR-FE Head Gasket Failing - Options - Tacoma World Forums
TN:
Head gasket question - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums
'05 4.0 Liter Head Gasket Issues - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums
Expedition Portal:
Repair advice? Blown head gasket on 4th Gen 4Runner? - Expedition Portal
Pirate 4x4:
Blew a head gasket on my 4.0 (long rant) - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Toyota VIN decoding

Total 4Runner Sales Info:
Toyota 4Runner Sales Figures - GOOD CAR BAD CAR
Toyota 4Runner - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Head Gasket production information from this site: 2005 Toyota 4Runner 11-04 Cylinder Head Parts
(It appears the phase in of the new head gaskets for production purposes started in August 2005 and ended in November 2005, anything after November 2005 seems to be assured of having the new head gasket installed at the factory)
V6 exploded View link from same site:
ILLUST NO. 1 OF 2 ----- (0211- )1GRFE

If you've experienced a failed head gasket, please reply with your
Model year
Mileage at failure
Cylinder,
Production Date (on driver door jamb sticker),
11th digit of VIN (This denotes the plant of manufacture from link above) (0=Tahara, 8 or 9 = Hino or K = Japan)
EIN (Engine Identification Number) Is found on rear passenger side stamped into engine (next to VIN plate on engine).

I will update the attached file periodically as members share the above information concerning their head gasket failure. Hopefully, we can then use this information to see if there are any correlations between EIN serial number and/or vehicle production facility with the reported failures.

Also attached is a troubleshooting and diagnosis procedure I found that may be useful for cylinder misfire codes on the 1GR-FE engine.

 

[morphious]

Sounds good, my most up to date tracker is attached.

 

[NuclearN8]

[MENTION=85543]ecally[/MENTION] [MENTION=19164]Greydog[/MENTION] [MENTION=68412]boostaddict89[/MENTION] [MENTION=111435]mtn_rooster[/MENTION] [MENTION=78357]PNWSportEd[/MENTION] [MENTION=58928]thebitz1[/MENTION] [MENTION=92470]Calimander[/MENTION] [MENTION=109920]KMG1981[/MENTION] @ChalkOutline [MENTION=26041]thefatcat[/MENTION] [MENTION=70175]bobdod04[/MENTION] [MENTION=70534]lifesaver71[/MENTION] [MENTION=81503]run4estrunner[/MENTION] [MENTION=92431]bme75[/MENTION] [MENTION=92702]Mark3850[/MENTION] [MENTION=107858]BIGA1969[/MENTION] [MENTION=119036]anthonyhkim[/MENTION] [MENTION=63844]Jerrydog[/MENTION] [MENTION=22608]WillRunner05[/MENTION] [MENTION=108906]jake87toy[/MENTION] [MENTION=60006]kao[/MENTION] [MENTION=110504]SharonKR[/MENTION] [MENTION=111025]BToyota[/MENTION] [MENTION=111143]VACJ7[/MENTION] [MENTION=20794]nysimonsez[/MENTION] [MENTION=71806]Jeff S.[/MENTION] [MENTION=111863]Cornelius[/MENTION] [MENTION=94358]vinnie[/MENTION] febs [MENTION=103135]thatguy1988[/MENTION] [MENTION=79902]thewizard[/MENTION] [MENTION=112658]nossliw[/MENTION] [MENTION=46331]Wishbone[/MENTION] [MENTION=58874]TracyScram[/MENTION] [MENTION=75272]smcdowell[/MENTION] [MENTION=79875]cah283[/MENTION] [MENTION=87351]i65south[/MENTION] [MENTION=99817]savants[/MENTION] [MENTION=99871]scottb[/MENTION] [MENTION=1704]BenSD[/MENTION]

If you still own the 4Runner and you're willing to share, please reply with the missing data about your head gasket failure

Model year
Mileage at failure
Cylinder,
Production Date (on driver door jamb sticker),
11th digit of VIN (This denotes the plant of manufacture from link above) (0=Tahara, 8 or 9 = Hino)
EIN (Engine Identification Number) Is found on rear passenger side stamped into engine (next to VIN plate on engine).

 

[nossliw]

What is the end game here? And are you requesting replies by PM or so the general public can see it all. Just was wondering.

 

[NuclearN8]

My end game is to collect the data, enough at least to analyze it in an objective manner and present it here in a consolidated manner. (since no such thread exists yet that I have found on any forum)

A simple reply in the thread works for me... the data will be in the attached pdf file in the first post anyway... but if you feel more comfortable with a PM, works too.

From the data I've collected to date, I'm not convinced there is an issue at all.... I mean if 03-05 are allegedly the trouble years for the 1GR-FE in 4Runners,how come no 2003's have been reported as failed? It seems awfully weird, right?... The HG changes doesn't mean anything in my eyes... logistic supply chains and suppliers change all the time, it's just part of doing business in large scale and quantities.

I believe the 1GR-FE is a very reliable engine based on the numbers... I'm not sure how to draw any other conclusion based on the total sales numbers and number of failures reported... I mean .. in 2004, conservatively assuming 1/2 the 4runners sold were V6's this means with the failures reported on this site that's less than .01%, all of which were out of warranty at the time of failure. Even if there are 10 times more that have failed that aren't reported... that's still not .1% of total sales (assuming 50% of sales were V6's, probably more like 60-70%).

My end goal is the follow the numbers, numbers don't lie.

 

[morphious]

Combined tracker in alphabetical order update.

 

[fdbyrne]

Wow. That list is scary long. I priced a head gasket job on mine today because I have a 2004 and I'm not lucky enough to dodge that bullet for very long. I wanted to plan ahead. I found a trusted independent job to do it for $2300.

I had no idea the list was that long.

 

[lifesaver71]

Add this info

Production date 10/04
Cylinder 6
0-Tahara

Also notice the abundance of 4 and 6 as the problem. Photos posted of others gasket failure and my gasket failure are virtually identical. The gasket fails in the area between the 4 and 6 cylinder.

 

[morphious]

[MENTION=70534]lifesaver71[/MENTION] you are on the list, is the information I am adding for "0-Tahara"? If so, do you have a current mileage and 2 or 4wd? Thanks.

 

[NuclearN8]

[MENTION=70534]lifesaver71[/MENTION] you are on the list, is the information I am adding for "0-Tahara"? If so, do you have a current mileage and 2 or 4wd? Thanks.

he was just supplying the additional information for his failure I requested... the 0-Tahara was the production plant for his vehicle....

 

[thebitz1]

head gasket

2006 Sport 4Runner was a 4WD. Sold
Unsure which cylinder was affected, but both head gaskets were replaced under warranty.

 

[gaterose]

2003 Limited 2WD
210,000 mi
Cylinder 6
04/2003
Tahara
Don't know EIN

 

[NuclearN8]

thanks guys. updated the HGData pdf file in the first post with the info you supplied

 

[morphious]

Update.

 

[simple]

Tagging for future reference. Thanks

 

[10ga]

My son's 2004 4Runner, V6, 4x4, head gasket is gone. Dealer told us today it needs to be changed, has 155,000 miles on it. He's been out of college for 8 months, got a job, bought a used 4Runner and now his going to be out $2400 that he can't afford. Guess who he will be making head gasket payments to. dear old dad. I am a loyal Toyota customer, right now I have 3 Toyotas and one Lexus in the garages. I'm not so sure I will continue to buy Toyota products. Wife just informed me her 2007 IS350 was 2 quarts low on oil after 3000 miles on the last oil change. What the heck is going on with Toyota?

 

[10ga]

My son's 2004, 4x4, 4.0 V6, 155,000 miles, head gasket is shot on the #6. $2500 to repair.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

My son's 2004, 4x4, 4.0 V6, 155,000 miles, head gasket is shot on the #6. $2500 to repair.

did it overheat beforehand?

 

[10ga]

No overheating at all. He noticed when he started it a couple weeks ago, it was running rough and then the check engine light came on. Pulled the code and it was P0306: Cylinder 6 Misfire Detected. Took it to the shop and was hoping for better news but it's the head gasket. After doing a search, seems like a common issue for a lot of 4Runners and Tacomas. Looks to be a problem with the 2003 - 2006 4.0. What's up with Toyota having head gasket issues? Service manager even said he's seen several come in with the same problem. As far as I know, Toyota is doing nothing about it. You would think they would have a recall on a problem like this. My wife got a recall for a bad dash on her 2007 Lexus IS350, and they won't do a recall for something as serious as a head gasket? You can still drive a car with a sticky dash cover :mad2:

 

[wrestler157]

2005 v6 4wd about 160000 miles went in 2013 cylinder 6