*** V6 Head Gasket Action Request ***

[Supersonic]

Fortunately for me I'm just shopping for tools, this is just a bump for quote, used it to find the CTA tools 9295,
https://www.amazon.com/CTA-Tools-9295-Wrenches-Double/dp/B006Z58VXC
https://www.ebay.com/itm/CTA-Tools-...e-Hex-1-2-Inch-Square-Drive-Set-/252390202381

Also had link for repair.

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

Here's another link for
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/73706-2004-limited-edition-4runner-4x4-head-gasket.html

 

[lowderjh]

had to replace my head gasket on my 04 at 198k. After replacing the spark plugs and coil pack, still kept getting a misfire on cylinder 6. Luckily i caught it before too much coolant leaked.

 

[UURunner]

I'm losing coolant it seems; after 2 months the accessory tank has gone from the full line to several inches below the full line. I don't really want to replace the head gasket over a weird leak like that. Any ideas? Does the accessory tank's level move at all on its own?

 

[Iluvboost]

I just picked up my valve grind set from the dealer. Seems like the updated number for the gasket set is 04112-31720. Is that what everyone else got? I wanted to get the chain and guides with tensioner but don't have the cash. I was hoping my 3rd gen would sell so I could use the money from that. Just the chain is like 200.

 

[iBison]

I'm losing coolant it seems; after 2 months the accessory tank has gone from the full line to several inches below the full line. I don't really want to replace the head gasket over a weird leak like that. Any ideas? Does the accessory tank's level move at all on its own?

Yeah, get a cheap borescope from Amazon or eBay and have a look after it's been sitting overnight.

 

[kashmore1967]

Both heads came off pretty clean. The faces of the head and block took very little cleaning. I used Acetone to do the final wipe down with a cloth before reassembly.
I also bought new Head bolts, since the others made so much terrible noise that I was afraid to use them again.
The final 1/2 turn to set the bolts was very tight again. Had to use a extension on my breaker bar to get the full 180 deg turn.

 

[kashmore1967]

Timing Cover Install? Drop the Front Diff?

Do I really need to drop the front differential and remove the Oil pan to install the Timing Cover?
I see the oil pump o ring is there, and can snag, but is there any tricks to not have to remove the oil pan?

 

[YetiX]

Do I really need to drop the front differential and remove the Oil pan to install the Timing Cover?
I see the oil pump o ring is there, and can snag, but is there any tricks to not have to remove the oil pan?

I don't know from personal experience, but my friend who is a Toyota certified mechanic (private shop now) who did mine said that yes you do have to do all that. He's done quite a few and definitely wasn't out to screw me over or charge me more than necessary. I'll ask him why tomorrow morning when I drop mine off for new front suspension and report back.

 

[kashmore1967]

Thanks. The Service Manual calls for it, but sometimes there's a little trick that will save time....

I don't know from personal experience, but my friend who is a Toyota certified mechanic (private shop now) who did mine said that yes you do have to do all that. He's done quite a few and definitely wasn't out to screw me over or charge me more than necessary. I'll ask him why tomorrow morning when I drop mine off for new front suspension and report back.

 

[iBison]

Thanks. The Service Manual calls for it, but sometimes there's a little trick that will save time....

We absolutely did not do that. We pulled the front cover off and stuffed a rag in the front of the pan to keep stuff from falling into it.

 

[whitebird031]

2006
11/05
4x2
~147k
#6

Add me to the list. 2006 T4R ~147k. Cylinder 6 misfire. After checking door date it had a late 2005 build date. As soon as I saw the code I cried inside. Did plugs and cleared it (side note: IT HAD ORIGINAL PLUGS) only to come back a week later. Cried again while I ordered the parts.

Luckily I'm a mechanic and did the repair myself, but that doesn't make the job any shorter. I went ahead and replaced every gasket I took off, did plugs, changed all fluids and put all LEDs on the inside and outside at the same time, haha. Runs like a champ now. Here comes another ~150k.

 

[Slowgoat]

2006
11/05
4x2
~147k
#6

Add me to the list. 2006 T4R ~147k. Cylinder 6 misfire. After checking door date it had a late 2005 build date. As soon as I saw the code I cried inside. Did plugs and cleared it (side note: IT HAD ORIGINAL PLUGS) only to come back a week later. Cried again while I ordered the parts.

Luckily I'm a mechanic and did the repair myself, but that doesn't make the job any shorter. I went ahead and replaced every gasket I took off, did plugs, changed all fluids and put all LEDs on the inside and outside at the same time, haha. Runs like a champ now. Here comes another ~150k.

Dude. That is awful. So the head gasket issue runs slightly into the 06’s? Did yours have the old or new gasket when you pulled it all apart?

 

[YetiX]

Dude. That is awful. So the head gasket issue runs slightly into the 06’s? Did yours have the old or new gasket when you pulled it all apart?

They changed the gasket sometime in December 2005. Mine was built in November, so . . .

But now I'm good for another 200k miles!!

 

[Iluvboost]

They changed the gasket sometime in December 2005. Mine was built in November, so . . .

But now I'm good for another 200k miles!!

Did you do any tensioners or camshaft chains?

 

[YetiX]

Did you do any tensioners or camshaft chains?

I did the tensioner but not the chain. The chain looked brand new.

 

[kashmore1967]

We absolutely did not do that. We pulled the front cover off and stuffed a rag in the front of the pan to keep stuff from falling into it.

Hey iBison:
I went through 2 oil pump Oil rings trying to slide the timing cover on without dropping the oil pan. The oring down there would get caught, pinched and cut when i slid it all the way on.

So I did drop the drive shafts, oil pan, etc and did the install per the service manual. Added a few hours, and was PITA. But at least I know the oring is in place and sealing.

How did you do it without hurting the o-ring?

 

[monkeywrenchMoose]

2008 V6 T4R - 07/08 Build - 129,000 Miles

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.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/15865-sludge-underneith-oil-cap.html

 

[YetiX]

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.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/15865-sludge-underneith-oil-cap.html

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.

 

[AuSeeker]

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.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/15865-sludge-underneith-oil-cap.html

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.

 

[Supersonic]

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).