*** V6 Head Gasket Action Request ***

I've got a good friend who can fix anything and he's a lot cheaper than Toyota but I can order some parts.......LOL He did the last one and did a great job on it so I'm guessing this one will be a lot quicker. I'll get the HG kit, new head bolts and while he's in there, change out the water pump. Maybe it will go another 100,000 miles. I was over reading tacoma world and the Tacos are having the same problems. You would think Toyota would do something about this. Hey I appreciate the new dash but the HG is a lot more important than a cosmetic issue.
 
I went with the engine overhaul gasket kit instead of just the head gasket kit. It came with pretty much every gasket that you'll come across in the process and was about the same price. I apparently had a leaky exhaust manifold too because when I got it back with new manifold gaskets it was much more quiet.
 
fdbyrne said:
I went with the engine overhaul gasket kit instead of just the head gasket kit. It came with pretty much every gasket that you'll come across in the process and was about the same price. I apparently had a leaky exhaust manifold too because when I got it back with new manifold gaskets it was much more quiet.
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That's a good idea
 
Toyota doesn't "need" to do anything about the HG failures. IF they do anything, it will be out of goodwill, like the cracked dashboards...

A HG failure is not a safety issue, it's a QDR issue.
Over the life of the engine options for the 4th Gen (v6 or v8), the maintenance expenses probably even out.... HG failure possibility (on the v6) vice multiple timing belts (required), secondary air pump failure (possible), and cracked manifold (possible) (on the v8).

Luckily for us, Toyota prides itself on QDR across its lineup, which is probably why the made the change in Nov 2005 to improve longterm QDR on the 1GR-FE (this won't be known for another couple years though based on how many 2006 and up 4Runners HG fail)...

It's also why if you look at the new engine design details (for instance the new 2GR-FKS engine usedin the Tacoma and GS350), they address uneven cylinder cooling and the thinner width of the HG between cylinders during assembly. (see attached)
 

Attachments

NuclearN8 said:
Toyota doesn't "need" to do anything about the HG failures. IF they do anything, it will be out of goodwill, like the cracked dashboards...

A HG failure is not a safety issue, it's a QDR issue.
Over the life of the engine options for the 4th Gen (v6 or v8), the maintenance expenses probably even out.... HG failure possibility (on the v6) vice multiple timing belts (required), secondary air pump failure (possible), and cracked manifold (possible) (on the v8).

Luckily for us, Toyota prides itself on QDR across its lineup, which is probably why the made the change in Nov 2005 to improve longterm QDR on the 1GR-FE (this won't be known for another couple years though based on how many 2006 and up 4Runners HG fail)...

It's also why if you look at the new engine design details (for instance the new 2GR-FKS engine usedin the Tacoma and GS350), they address uneven cylinder cooling and the thinner width of the HG between cylinders during assembly. (see attached)
Click to expand...

When you have HG failures happening at 120,000 miles, yes they need to do something. It's not just the 2003 - 2006 4runners, it's also happening with the 2005 - 2006 Tacomas. It happened to me 3 times with 3 different 4 runners in the last 12 months, I would call that a problem. They had a recall for the 3.0 and the 4.0 is just as bad. Overall, Toyota makes a great vehicle, that's why we have 7 in our family, no argument there. I was talking to the service manager at our local dealer and he said he's had at least 6 4Runners come in the shop in the last 4 weeks with bad HG and Toyota will not help out. Timing belt service is $650, HG job is anywhere between $2500 - $3400, you can do several timing belts for that. to be exact, you can do 4.5 timing belts for the cost of one HG job ( $3000 average cost ), that's 405,000 miles if you figure each TB change at 90,000 miles.
 
I just replaced the head gaskets a couple weeks ago. I didn't have misfires or check engine light, just lost coolant out the overflow tank after highway driving and towing. It was somewhat having the issue at 125k when I bought it over two years ago but would lose the coolant slightly faster more recently, and i finally replaced the head gaskets at 152k.

2004 4.0 V6
Production date 07/04
4x4
there was a pitted area between cylinders 4 and 6 on the head.

I did a bit of a writeup here: Head gasket repair on 4th gen 4runner V6 - Expedition Portal
 
xcggin said:
I change mine out every other year. It's very very very cheap insurance of having a head gasket failure.
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:spam2::spam2::spam2::spam2::spam2::spam2:
 
Head Gasket

i had a problem with a head gasket about 6 months ago, turns out it wasn't blown, I was told to buy a head gasket repair oil. I believe it was Bar's Leaks head gasket repair. My 4runner was not running well before, after a day or so, it was running like nothing ever happened.
 
04runnerblk said:
i had a problem with a head gasket about 6 months ago, turns out it wasn't blown, I was told to buy a head gasket repair oil. I believe it was Bar's Leaks head gasket repair. My 4runner was not running well before, after a day or so, it was running like nothing ever happened.
Click to expand...

Good luck to you. I hope that works out. I don't think that it's likely to be a long term solution.
 
2004 SR5 V6
236K miles
Cylinder # - will find out this weekend
Manufactured 04/04
Plant Code 8
Couldn't locate the EIN

I've determined that I believe I have the HG issue. Fdbryne gave me some good advice and I'll have my local autoparts store pull the codes to confirm.

All the same issues - hi temp led me to discover loss of coolant. Rough idle at startup, CEL and issues worsened. I found this site and deduced the HG issue based on symptoms. That and I used a bottle of Blue Devil HG seal and it seems to have temporarily abated the problem. At least to the point I can operate the vehicle without the sputtering.

Somewhere up in the thread someone posted the front timing cover oil leak, and while out looking for the EIN, I see I have the issue as well. I have oil leak/stains exactly where the bulletin says to look.

I have to admit I had poor maintenance on the vehicle. I believe that was the original coolant that I lost to leakage starting a few months ago. Oil changes, brakes, tires, air filter, etc yes. Oh and the A/C had to be replaced at roughly 100K.
 
My local auto parts shop had the code scanner stolen? Who does that?

Anyway, is there some significance to the fact that this rough idling and rough running doesn't really occur unless the car is in gear? It doesn't replicate the problem when it's in park or neutral and.

The car is no longer leaking water so I assume the gasket has been sealed with that blue devil product I used. My local Toyota service center is clueless about these head gasket issues, They never heard of such a thing as we've been talking about on this blog. I have to travel a little further to a larger Toyota dealer with a bigger service center.
 
CPA not a Mechanic said:
My local auto parts shop had the code scanner stolen? Who does that?

Anyway, is there some significance to the fact that this rough idling and rough running doesn't really occur unless the car is in gear? It doesn't replicate the problem when it's in park or neutral and.

The car is no longer leaking water so I assume the gasket has been sealed with that blue devil product I used. My local Toyota service center is clueless about these head gasket issues, They never heard of such a thing as we've been talking about on this blog. I have to travel a little further to a larger Toyota dealer with a bigger service center.
Click to expand...
You should check Amazon. I got mine for $30 it's wifi and runs of an app for iPhone. I also use it to monitor the exact temperature. Helps to ease the worries of weather the gauge was accurate. It stays always stays in the normal temp range after it warms up.
 
Head Gasket failure

2004 4.0L 1GR-FE 4x4 SR5
203,000 miles
mfg date 02/2004

Head gasket being replaced now @ 203K miles, cylinder #6
 
$2,500 both heads, Indicators were slow coolant loss, and glycol smell in exhaust when starting a cold motor for about 15 seconds. I caught this early. Leak down test was used by dealer to confirm cylinder #6. I knew because when I change plugs I apply light motor oil to threads, last changed 20K miles ago, checked plugs, all dry, except on #6 ,
threads oil still there and damp.
 
2004 170K head gasket failure

My 4runner 4.0 has 170K with Number 1 cylinder leak. The signs were slow coolant leak, engine shakes with first start for few seconds and Engine Code pulled P0301. It's my weekend project right now.
 
I think i just joined the club. I started the truck up major stumble/misfire it went away after 30 seconds but never through a code, changed the plugs and cylinder #6 was wet inside. i cant tell if it's gas or coolant,slow coolant loss. Does anyone have any diy write ups on doing the head gaskets?
I have owned it since new and am anal about maintenance/ it's never over heated
prod 2/04
4.0 v6
2004 4r
98k
4x4
:toilet:
 
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