*** V6 Head Gasket Action Request ***
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YetiX
New member
Well shit
My water pump was starting to seep so I took it in to be replaced. Just got the call from my mechanic (one of my best friends), turns out I have a leaking head gasket. When he opened the radiator it was pressurized, the coolant level was very low, and his probe detected high levels of fuel in the coolant. No codes so I don't know which cylinder(s) it is. Maybe I'll find out once the gaskets are replaced. Since I'm at 176,000 miles, I'm going to have them do a full top end.
Year: 2006
Model: Sport Edition 4WD
Mileage: 176,000
Build Date: November, 2005
Cylinder: Unknown
It's never overheated while I've owned it, never even risen above halfway. However, I've only owned it for the past 10k miles so . . . I was also, just within the past couple of weeks, wondering if it was running a little rough on start up. Guess it was. Edit: Just finished reading this thread through from start to finish. I also had the waterfall sound from behind the dash on startup.
Threw some Kseal in it and topped off the coolant. I'm going to Big Bear this weekend for my buddy's 45th birthday run. 4Runner goes into the shop Monday morning. Yay.
My water pump was starting to seep so I took it in to be replaced. Just got the call from my mechanic (one of my best friends), turns out I have a leaking head gasket. When he opened the radiator it was pressurized, the coolant level was very low, and his probe detected high levels of fuel in the coolant. No codes so I don't know which cylinder(s) it is. Maybe I'll find out once the gaskets are replaced. Since I'm at 176,000 miles, I'm going to have them do a full top end.
Year: 2006
Model: Sport Edition 4WD
Mileage: 176,000
Build Date: November, 2005
Cylinder: Unknown
It's never overheated while I've owned it, never even risen above halfway. However, I've only owned it for the past 10k miles so . . . I was also, just within the past couple of weeks, wondering if it was running a little rough on start up. Guess it was. Edit: Just finished reading this thread through from start to finish. I also had the waterfall sound from behind the dash on startup.
Threw some Kseal in it and topped off the coolant. I'm going to Big Bear this weekend for my buddy's 45th birthday run. 4Runner goes into the shop Monday morning. Yay.
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YetiX
New member
It's not too hard to determine if the 4Runner already has a head gasket leak. The problem is that you just don't know when it might fail.
Knowing what I know now, I would look for one made after December of 2005.
The runner is at a dealer. Think I could have them replace it before I buy it?
Doubt they'd do it on their dime, and I wouldn't blame them. You could ask them for an extended warranty for the head gasket and they might bite.
YetiX
New member
Agreed. It's not a cheap job, close to 20 hours just in labor. If you can get an extended warranty, that would be good.
benztech82
Member
I got my 2005 v6 from the auction with 183k but i haven't seen vehicle with my own eyes yet. I hope it doesn't have HG issue or any other major issues like frame rust or t-case shift motor. I was thinking to do preventative maintenance by dumping a stop leak to a rad. As a car tech i don't believe in a mechanic in a bottle but as an impulsive owner of a very cool truck i may pull a trigger hoping for the best.
Sent from my Redmi 4 using Tapatalk
Sent from my Redmi 4 using Tapatalk
Well its happened to me. Mine has 184k. Bought it in march. Its cylinder 6 and its not only misfiring at start up, its doing it while running. It'll buck at 40mph giving it a little throttle. What sucks is I don't have the cash to fix it right now. I can fix it myself but need money for the parts. I just finished doing the water and timing belt on my 3rd gen so I can sell it to fund this job. Man I wish I could drive it a little longer till I could save some cash up. Mine is a 2005 btw.
YetiX
New member
Mine has so far. ***knock on wood*** Only three weeks so far, but I spent a three day weekend in the desert (street driving) with some really heavy stop-n-go traffic with zero issues.
I'm afraid I'm going up soon.
2005 Sport 4wd with 170K
Been hearing the waterfall for...I don't know how long.
Last year the car started throwing misfires (#6 and random) on startup.
Changed spark plugs. Misfires went away.
Almost overheated once (and only once!) last November in the worst traffic I've ever been in my life. Over seven hours bumper to bumper nightmare.
Radiator showed definite signs of leakage (yet the coolant levels were OK-ish, overflow still had fluid too).
Changed the radiator.
A month ago.
Cleaned the throttle body (though I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter much for these trucks) and MAF sensor.
A few days later threw "multiple misfires" again. Happened a couple of more times without throwing a code.
Tried to burp the radiator. Truck on an incline. Used one of these.
Waterfall sound did not go away.
Don't understand this part - should be able to burb the system close enough to at least get the "waterfall" go away for a few days.
Yesterday drove like a grandma on a 100 mile round trip. The (overly optimistic) mpg display showed 26mpg, head gasket, California gas and all. Damn!
I'm not in denial. I'll try to confirm the issue first (recommendation for hydrocarbon radiator test kit?)
The question in my mind is more of a - should I do the hg job now, or drive it till it is screwed up for good and do an engine swap (gambling on a junkyard engine).
Funny thing is - here's this thread in the t4r forum and it clearly shows a pattern.
Yet, tacoma guys don't seem half as concerned, nor are many hg reports coming from tacomas. Makes me wonder if people just drive them with the small leak, never knowing about it and not getting any worse for thousands of miles...
2005 Sport 4wd with 170K
Been hearing the waterfall for...I don't know how long.
Last year the car started throwing misfires (#6 and random) on startup.
Changed spark plugs. Misfires went away.
Almost overheated once (and only once!) last November in the worst traffic I've ever been in my life. Over seven hours bumper to bumper nightmare.
Radiator showed definite signs of leakage (yet the coolant levels were OK-ish, overflow still had fluid too).
Changed the radiator.
A month ago.
Cleaned the throttle body (though I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter much for these trucks) and MAF sensor.
A few days later threw "multiple misfires" again. Happened a couple of more times without throwing a code.
Tried to burp the radiator. Truck on an incline. Used one of these.
Waterfall sound did not go away.
Don't understand this part - should be able to burb the system close enough to at least get the "waterfall" go away for a few days.
Yesterday drove like a grandma on a 100 mile round trip. The (overly optimistic) mpg display showed 26mpg, head gasket, California gas and all. Damn!
I'm not in denial. I'll try to confirm the issue first (recommendation for hydrocarbon radiator test kit?)
The question in my mind is more of a - should I do the hg job now, or drive it till it is screwed up for good and do an engine swap (gambling on a junkyard engine).
Funny thing is - here's this thread in the t4r forum and it clearly shows a pattern.
Yet, tacoma guys don't seem half as concerned, nor are many hg reports coming from tacomas. Makes me wonder if people just drive them with the small leak, never knowing about it and not getting any worse for thousands of miles...
The Yin
Member
Water Fall sound
Just in the last week I started hearing the "waterfall" sound on cold starts. Sounds like water being poured right under the steering wheel. No codes or lights, and no performance issues.
I've got a 2005 with just over 110k miles on it.
Is there anything I could/should do now to slow down the decay?
Just in the last week I started hearing the "waterfall" sound on cold starts. Sounds like water being poured right under the steering wheel. No codes or lights, and no performance issues.
I've got a 2005 with just over 110k miles on it.
Is there anything I could/should do now to slow down the decay?
nghiS4
New member
2004 4WD, no known head gasket issue. 197,000 miles. Radiator replaced 2 years ago due to leak.
Purchased the 4R from a Toyota dealer 4 years ago with 130K miles. Previous owner had all regular maintenance done at dealer, including coolant drain & fills EVERY 30K.
I did a full flush (along with complete fluids switch to synthetics) myself, when I got it at 130K.
I just had the dealer do a complete coolant exchange (197K) last week, when I took it in for the dashboard recall/replacement. My service advisor is pretty honest & cool. We were chatting about the life expectancy of the 4.0, & he just happened to mention that one thing to watch for, is that they seem to have HEAD GASKET ISSUES. Huh..ya don't say?!
So I ask, "What can I do to help avoid that?"
His answer: "Change your coolant often. The coolant can get acidic." ( I think that's the term he used, we sit around & BS alot, so I forget exactly.)
We shall see in my case.
Purchased the 4R from a Toyota dealer 4 years ago with 130K miles. Previous owner had all regular maintenance done at dealer, including coolant drain & fills EVERY 30K.
I did a full flush (along with complete fluids switch to synthetics) myself, when I got it at 130K.
I just had the dealer do a complete coolant exchange (197K) last week, when I took it in for the dashboard recall/replacement. My service advisor is pretty honest & cool. We were chatting about the life expectancy of the 4.0, & he just happened to mention that one thing to watch for, is that they seem to have HEAD GASKET ISSUES. Huh..ya don't say?!
So I ask, "What can I do to help avoid that?"
His answer: "Change your coolant often. The coolant can get acidic." ( I think that's the term he used, we sit around & BS alot, so I forget exactly.)
We shall see in my case.
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TripleTS_T4R
New member
So, i just have to say that this site is AMAZING. I have found so much information that has been helpful thus far and it has been keeping me intrigued to find more.
2004
4x4/4x2
SE
102K
Now that is out the way, I have been reading through this thread and I am a little worried about this issue. If there are so many issues with the radiator leaks, you would think that Toyota would look into this or is there a grille that one could use to minimize the risk of radiator damage (depending on if leak is in front)?
I guess it is just good practice to look for a pool of fluid overtime you pull off. Either way what are some of the preventable measures that one can take to prevent this from happening or is it just a matter of time? Is there a radiator mod or a stronger radiator that people are replacing OEM. If so i might get this asap.
2004
4x4/4x2
SE
102K
Now that is out the way, I have been reading through this thread and I am a little worried about this issue. If there are so many issues with the radiator leaks, you would think that Toyota would look into this or is there a grille that one could use to minimize the risk of radiator damage (depending on if leak is in front)?
I guess it is just good practice to look for a pool of fluid overtime you pull off. Either way what are some of the preventable measures that one can take to prevent this from happening or is it just a matter of time? Is there a radiator mod or a stronger radiator that people are replacing OEM. If so i might get this asap.
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LastFrontierRunner
New member
Got Me Too
Add me to the list:
2005
SR5
4X4
216k
Symptoms: Disappearing coolant (slow), climbing temperatures in extended stop-and-go driving, hydrocarbon in coolant positive, gurgling "waterfall" sound.
No CEL/white smoke/rough start/ or milky oil. In surgery today. Heads will be off tomorrow and send to the machine shop. Scheduled to be buttoned back up Friday or Monday. Quoted $2200 parts/labor and machine work.
Long time lurker here and learned a lot. Traded in my beloved 3rd Gen for this one a couple months ago. No warranty so I'm hosed. Driving up to Alaska on July 6th so I have no choice but to get this done.
Will post bill when work is complete.
Add me to the list:
2005
SR5
4X4
216k
Symptoms: Disappearing coolant (slow), climbing temperatures in extended stop-and-go driving, hydrocarbon in coolant positive, gurgling "waterfall" sound.
No CEL/white smoke/rough start/ or milky oil. In surgery today. Heads will be off tomorrow and send to the machine shop. Scheduled to be buttoned back up Friday or Monday. Quoted $2200 parts/labor and machine work.
Long time lurker here and learned a lot. Traded in my beloved 3rd Gen for this one a couple months ago. No warranty so I'm hosed. Driving up to Alaska on July 6th so I have no choice but to get this done.
Will post bill when work is complete.
YetiX
New member
That's a good price. Mine was close to $4k, but then I replaced everything on the front of the engine, water pump, radiator, belts, etc. too while I was in there. When you have the machine work done, are they doing the valves too, or just leveling the heads?
LastFrontierRunner
New member
We just dropped it off today but as far as I understand they are milling both heads flat and doing the valve seals for $250. I'm also having the water pump changed and he's taking a look at the timing chain, guides and tentioners while he's got the front open.
We've been doing business with this shop for over a year and he has worked on my wife's Audi a couple times. Honest guy and does great work. Says he will try to save us on some labor and not use the full quoted 20 hours. He's trying to work with our time constraint with getting up North to catch our ferry.
YetiX
New member
Wow, that's a great price! My guy did all that too. I forgot that my price also included re-routing the exhaust out the side and something else totally unrelated that I can't remember.
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