Boxermachine
Member
180k and #6 cylinder has got the leak. Never overheated, but noticed the gurgling sound and low on anti-freeze. I'm going to try a flush and Blue Devil later today. I'll update on how it worked.
*** V6 Head Gasket Action Request ***
- Thread starter morphious
- Start date
YetiX
New member
Sorry to hear it.
Boxermachine
Member
Well did the Blue Devil treatment. The biggest PIA was getting the wire off the injector on #6. My research on the net said that if you know what one is the culprit, run that one w/o the spark plug (Scotty Kilmer youtube- but he used another brand sealer) Taking the intake off was the only way to get that damn connector off.
Anyway, I did a Prestone coolant flush first and took the thermostat apart and bypassed the heater core using the Prestone flush and fill kit from Walmart.. I'm going to baby it for a couple of days and keep an eye on the coolant tank and see if Blue Devil worked.
My plan if this doesn't hold up is a new rebuild engine from ebay. I wouldn't attempt the head gaskets myself, as the I'm afraid to take that engine all apart and hope I got it right. At 180k, seems the most logical as the cost of the motor $2400 or so (done myself) is about equal to the SALES TAX and registration cost on a new 4runner.
Anyway, I did a Prestone coolant flush first and took the thermostat apart and bypassed the heater core using the Prestone flush and fill kit from Walmart.. I'm going to baby it for a couple of days and keep an eye on the coolant tank and see if Blue Devil worked.
My plan if this doesn't hold up is a new rebuild engine from ebay. I wouldn't attempt the head gaskets myself, as the I'm afraid to take that engine all apart and hope I got it right. At 180k, seems the most logical as the cost of the motor $2400 or so (done myself) is about equal to the SALES TAX and registration cost on a new 4runner.
T4RGrocerygetter
New member
2005 Sr5
130k
No misfire yet but #6 spark plug has coolant deposits
Coolant level drops considerably every 2-3 months
130k
No misfire yet but #6 spark plug has coolant deposits
Coolant level drops considerably every 2-3 months
Boxermachine
Member
Well it looks like the Blue devil worked (for now). No coolant loss and it's been 400 miles so far. I had to take the intake almost all the way off to get to the plug on #6 injector as to run it without a spark plug. This was a ***** as I tried for 3 hours getting the plug off w/o removing the intake. Waste of time.:dammit:
I used Prestone flush and flush and fill kit (from walmart) with a garden hose, tap water, then drained, and filled with distilled water. Then I bypassed the heatercore with the prestone flush and fill kit (easy to burp the system with the prestone kit). Also, the thermostat comes out of it's housing, so no need to buy a new one, just remove the metal and replace it when done. Anyone trying a sodium silicate based fix like blue devil, bars ect, will definitely need to take that out. Ran it for 50 minutes and had to reset all the lights that came on from the plug being out.
From my research, it looks like it may last 2 more years.
I used Prestone flush and flush and fill kit (from walmart) with a garden hose, tap water, then drained, and filled with distilled water. Then I bypassed the heatercore with the prestone flush and fill kit (easy to burp the system with the prestone kit). Also, the thermostat comes out of it's housing, so no need to buy a new one, just remove the metal and replace it when done. Anyone trying a sodium silicate based fix like blue devil, bars ect, will definitely need to take that out. Ran it for 50 minutes and had to reset all the lights that came on from the plug being out.
From my research, it looks like it may last 2 more years.
Our experience
We own a 2004 Sport 4X2, 139,500 miles. Last week we experienced the p0306 error code and shaky symptoms for a few seconds.
NO loss of coolant from reservoir, radiator coolant level was up to the neck, oil color & level perfect.
Used a "Block Tester" to check exhaust gas in coolant - Negative result (yaaayy, liquid remained blue)!!!
Switched coil packs between #4 & #6, same error code. Removed #6 sparkplug (NGK Iridium), it was a little oily. Replaced with new spark plug, reset the code and it now runs like normal.
We hope that we never have any issues with the HG in the future
We own a 2004 Sport 4X2, 139,500 miles. Last week we experienced the p0306 error code and shaky symptoms for a few seconds.
NO loss of coolant from reservoir, radiator coolant level was up to the neck, oil color & level perfect.
Used a "Block Tester" to check exhaust gas in coolant - Negative result (yaaayy, liquid remained blue)!!!
Switched coil packs between #4 & #6, same error code. Removed #6 sparkplug (NGK Iridium), it was a little oily. Replaced with new spark plug, reset the code and it now runs like normal.
We hope that we never have any issues with the HG in the future
I hope you are right.
However my misfires also went away for a few months after replacing the spark plugs.
I can't explain it.
Still, it turned out to be hg. Got my car today from the shop.
Very small leak. I almost wish I tried one of these sealant products. If they can seal anything at all, it should be a leak this size...
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
However my misfires also went away for a few months after replacing the spark plugs.
I can't explain it.
Still, it turned out to be hg. Got my car today from the shop.
Very small leak. I almost wish I tried one of these sealant products. If they can seal anything at all, it should be a leak this size...
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Grunner1023
New member
I replaced my 2004 runner HG about this time last year at about 160,000 mi
I return to this thread periodically just to keep up & I was shocked at the amount of new failures in the last 6 mo , I guess mileage/age?
This was by far the most expensive repair I have ever paid for on any vehicle I have ever owned, I'm glad I had it done because like so many others I just love that darn truck!
I had all the same symptoms as most but not really the gurgling noise , very unfortunate situation & im sure there will never be any payback from Toyota but the way they fail seems to indicate a flaw, after all they replaced my dash for a few cracks which I appreciate but if they can justify that why not the HG??
I return to this thread periodically just to keep up & I was shocked at the amount of new failures in the last 6 mo , I guess mileage/age?
This was by far the most expensive repair I have ever paid for on any vehicle I have ever owned, I'm glad I had it done because like so many others I just love that darn truck!
I had all the same symptoms as most but not really the gurgling noise , very unfortunate situation & im sure there will never be any payback from Toyota but the way they fail seems to indicate a flaw, after all they replaced my dash for a few cracks which I appreciate but if they can justify that why not the HG??
YetiX
New member
I wrote Toyota after having mine done and got ZERO response. Not even a "Thank you for your letter, **** off." I have to say I'm pretty disappointed.
My wife was looking at getting a Lexus to replace her VW diesel, now she's looking at Acuras.
I will call Toyota just to put another notch there, but I don't really expect to get anything. There's no question in my mind that it is a design deficiency of some sort, but it usually shows up after 150K miles give or take.
No manufacturer can afford to warrant that.
Fun facts that prove nothing:
1. My truck was the first 4th gen my mechanic did a head job for. He had few 3rd gens and matching Tacomas before
2. The machine shop I used sees more honda and acura heads than anything else.
Hel!
Hey guys my name is Noelle I am looking to buy a 2004 4runner with that 126,000 miles on it. It has had regular upkeep and quite a bit of work done to it timing belt changed 1 time and water pump changed twice, with only 1 owner. I live in Colorado, it is a 4x4 and I'm just looking to see if I'm getting a good price. They want $9900 for it. Please help thanks!
Hey guys my name is Noelle I am looking to buy a 2004 4runner with that 126,000 miles on it. It has had regular upkeep and quite a bit of work done to it timing belt changed 1 time and water pump changed twice, with only 1 owner. I live in Colorado, it is a 4x4 and I'm just looking to see if I'm getting a good price. They want $9900 for it. Please help thanks!
Elan750
New member
Posting the same thing 20x in different threads is not going make anyone here want to help you.
Hey guys,
What do you think of changing out the coolant (drain and fill radiator) once a year as preventive against a head gasket failure?
I've started doing this on mine (06 4wd 11/05 build date) and knock on wood its good so far. I read a post on this forum that the coolant can become acidic and eat the head gasket and that changing the coolant often would help.
Mine has 151k on it and was bought at 126k.
No issues engine wise so far.
I'll update if anything changes, but to me it might be cheap insurance.
What do you think of changing out the coolant (drain and fill radiator) once a year as preventive against a head gasket failure?
I've started doing this on mine (06 4wd 11/05 build date) and knock on wood its good so far. I read a post on this forum that the coolant can become acidic and eat the head gasket and that changing the coolant often would help.
Mine has 151k on it and was bought at 126k.
No issues engine wise so far.
I'll update if anything changes, but to me it might be cheap insurance.
This is one of the factors that people believe to be the cause of the head gasket failure. Toyota in good faith should repay customers who experienced this failure. If I received a reimbursement for the costs I incurred then I probably would go and purchase a 5th gen 4Runner.
4th Gen 4Runners V6 engines are aluminum and the routing of heat is a proposed reason why the head-gaskets fail. Throw in that the coolant is not as long-lasting as designated, this would provide further information on a potential breakdown. Toyota should just do a re-call. However, I think someone would need to start a campaign via twitter, Facebook, or Snap Chat or whatever social media garners attention. Toyota will receive all the letters and information that they want and still do nothing. The dashboards garnered a lot of social media attention and Toyota decided to cave.
benztech82
Member
Another thought. Vehicles with failed head gaskets ran 87 octane for the most part or 91? Lower octane gives higher combustion temps and vise versa. Could that be the the cause or at least 50% of the cause. Another thought more failed gaskets in warmers areas, states or provinces? Like is there more cases in Cali in comparison to Toronto for example ?
2005 V6 LTD 186k
What would be interesting is if the folks that have experienced head gasket failure could post the number of times they changed their coolant before the gasket failed.
I'm trying to determine if there really is a pattern between say, never changing the coolant and the gasket failed, or they changed per the manual and it still failed.
additionally if the coolant was changed more often then directed, if it still failed.
Toyota should absolutely cover the repair costs of the gasket failing so early and issue a recalll like they did on the 3rd gen.
Does anyone know the rough number of failed 3rd gen head gaskets there were? Maybe we just haven't experienced enough to trigger the recall at Toyota?
I'm trying to determine if there really is a pattern between say, never changing the coolant and the gasket failed, or they changed per the manual and it still failed.
additionally if the coolant was changed more often then directed, if it still failed.
Toyota should absolutely cover the repair costs of the gasket failing so early and issue a recalll like they did on the 3rd gen.
Does anyone know the rough number of failed 3rd gen head gaskets there were? Maybe we just haven't experienced enough to trigger the recall at Toyota?
benztech82
Member
If coolant is a major cause of this issue than all other Toyota engines should experience same failures? Most of the car owners replace engine oil and that's it. Maybe a manufacturing defect. Gasket too thin and with overheating it burns through ?
2005 V6 LTD 186k
nghiS4
New member
Facebook V6 HG issue page now up!
Since it's often mentioned that social media may draw more attention to this issue, I went ahead & created a Facebook page. I am not experiencing this issue (yet) but want to be assured that Toyota would do something about it if I ever do! Share away to everyone you know! Be sure to "LIKE" the page & make comments there.
https://www.facebook.com/Toyota-4Runner-4th-Gen-V6-40-Head-Gasket-Issue-502883100047481/
Since it's often mentioned that social media may draw more attention to this issue, I went ahead & created a Facebook page. I am not experiencing this issue (yet) but want to be assured that Toyota would do something about it if I ever do! Share away to everyone you know! Be sure to "LIKE" the page & make comments there.
https://www.facebook.com/Toyota-4Runner-4th-Gen-V6-40-Head-Gasket-Issue-502883100047481/
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