*** V6 Head Gasket Action Request ***

[Marde]

Check engine light came on, dealer replaced both head gaskets and machined heads.
2005 4Runner 206,000 miles, production date 7/05, 2 wheel drive.

Christmas Day and the light came back on after 12 miles and one day.
Runs rough also.
I’ll be at the dealers at 7:00 AM tomorrow..

You and I have the same type truck. I live near Phoenix too. Did they tell you which (DTC) codes the truck had prior to the repair? -aka which cylinder/s were misfiring? Find out. Then find out which codes you have now-tomorrow. On your way to the dealership, maybe stop by AutoZone or O'reilly's, they can tell you the current codes, -for free.

Seems like the dealer will do the same job again, and they will likely not charge you any more money to fix it a second time. Maybe they just left something disconnected, and the new HG's are ok.

How much money did they charge you for the HG job?

 

[H2omike65]

Check engine light came on, dealer replaced both head gaskets and machined heads.
2005 4Runner 206,000 miles, production date 7/05, 2 wheel drive.

Christmas Day and the light came back on after 12 miles and one day.
Runs rough also.
I’ll be at the dealers at 7:00 AM tomorrow..

0306 I believe the #6 cylinder had evidence of coolant.
Cost $3475.00. They had the heads milled also and gave me a loaner.
The service rep called this afternoon and said they have to send the head back to machine
Shop as the intake on #6 cyl was leaking causing my current problem. The valve was not leaking when they tested it before sending it to machine shop. I have a loaner again.
Fingers crossed as I expect the 4 runner to last another 100 K miles after the work.

 

[Marde]

0306 I believe the #6 cylinder had evidence of coolant.
Cost $3475.00. They had the heads milled also and gave me a loaner.
The service rep called this afternoon and said they have to send the head back to machine
Shop as the intake on #6 cyl was leaking causing my current problem. The valve was not leaking when they tested it before sending it to machine shop. I have a loaner again.
Fingers crossed as I expect the 4 runner to last another 100 K miles after the work.

Thanks for the reply. I strongly believe their second effort will be successful and this will end with a happy ending.

My comments below are not meant to be pessimistic, or be-itchy, but I want to add a few casual comments anyway...

After this brief rant, I have a question or comment for you Mike.

Most HG failures, in all cars & trucks, are the result of poor maintenance, and mostly just an engine overheat. In these cases, the head/s are often warped, and head "resurface" is required. When replacing any HG, the head/s & engine block should be checked for straightness AND the valves should be removed for replacement of the valve seals. The idea here is that you only want to do this job once in the life of a typical car. If the head/s are removed for HG replacement, it is highly recommended that the head gets a proper valve job too. This includes lapping the valves/valve seats as needed, when needed.

Mike, your words are not clear, but I think you said that one of the intake valves is messed up? There is no need to push or place BLAME on them, -assuming they just fix the darn thing.

Outside of the 4-Runner getting fixed ((for free this time)) the whole story is strange, and it makes me wonder (1) why they did a head resurface (was is warped?) and (2) did the job include a proper valve job?

A "typical" 2005 V6 HG failure does not need the heads resurfaced. It is a bad HG and is not a bad-warped head. Did that dealership provide you a datasheet of how bad your heads were warped? Furthermore, they should have recorded the BEFORE verses AFTER head warp measurements.

They might have resurfaced the head and they did NOT do the valve job. If so, shame on them, and now they have to recognize this missed step... and pay big money for that mistake too.

IF me: I would ask that dealership Service Manager if the heads were farmed-out to a specialty shop for resurfacing ((highly likely)) and if that work included a proper valve job...?... and do you have the moral or legal rights to access that detailed paperwork trail?

If you or anyone pays for a HG replacement, please also pay for (and ensure) that a proper valve job is also completed.

Good luck Mike!

 

[H2omike65]

The tech did a “paint test” on the head where they test fit the head before assembly and noticed a slight inconsistency at the #6 cylinder. So they decided to send the heads to the machine shop. They also replaced the valve seals. Thanks for your interest and support.
I did speak to the service mgr and Cust relations manager at Camelback Toyota and requested that they inform Toyota of the leak at #6 cylinder since it seems that most head gasket leaks occur there.

 

[utahman11]

New to the forum, I'm looking into the waterfall/rushing/gurgling water sound behind the dash. I have an '07 V6 with 175K, but I'm seeing that the head gasket issue only runs up to the '05 builds. I haven't noticed a significant change in coolant level, but the cold startups are a little off-ish, it doesn't fire right up, the starter motor stops cycling and it sound like the motor is going to stall then it'll fire up. It only makes the water sound when the motor is cold and under a load (going uphill) or at idle occasionally with the heater kicking in. Wondering if maybe I have an issue to look into. Thanks for any response.

 

[YetiX]

New to the forum, I'm looking into the waterfall/rushing/gurgling water sound behind the dash. I have an '07 V6 with 175K, but I'm seeing that the head gasket issue only runs up to the '05 builds. I haven't noticed a significant change in coolant level, but the cold startups are a little off-ish, it doesn't fire right up, the starter motor stops cycling and it sound like the motor is going to stall then it'll fire up. It only makes the water sound when the motor is cold and under a load (going uphill) or at idle occasionally with the heater kicking in. Wondering if maybe I have an issue to look into. Thanks for any response.

The waterfall sound would only be on startup. If you're hearing it at another time, you may have some other cooling system related issue. It sounds to me like you have a starting related issue, maybe a bad battery, dying starter, etc.

 

[monkeywrenchMoose]

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.

Just thought I'd follow up to add to the discussion, especially since this thread is such a valuable source of info.

To clarify, after further workup, my 2008 SR5 DOES NOT have a head gasket leak.

I couldn't handle my own post-purchase paranoia and took it down to the dealership and explained the symptoms. He was skeptical, especially since it was an '08 but listened to my concern and then suggested a compression test and leak down test to see if indeed it was the HG.

Got a call from him a day later with good news and bad news. Good news is that the engine was totally fine, within factory spec. Bad news was that my right front brake caliper was totally seized shut and had been that way for quite some time. Suggested that the reason the coolant was disappearing was because the engine was working overtime to compensate for the brake being on all the time.

Ended up replacing both front rotors, both front pads, right front caliper, right torn CV boot and the original spark plugs that were still in there.

Been driving it for about 4 weeks now, with many trips up to the ski hill. I am still hyper diligent about checking coolant and listening for start up waterfall, but coolant levels are perfect and I've never heard the waterfall.

I am highly confused as to why I didn't notice the brake issue on my test drive. Car never pulled to the right, under hard braking or normal driving. I would have thought that would have been apparent.

Any thoughts?

Thanks to all who responded, definitely a big help. Currently building my sleeping/storage platform.

 

[paulrits]

V8 Head Gasket Issues

I understand this forum is for the V6 issue, however my 2004 V8 4.7L is having the exact same issue and I am looking for some guidance. It was idling and running rough between 60-70mph. The mechanic originally diagnosed cylinder #6 misfire and replaced the plug and coil. The issue continued and they finally came back with the head gasket needing to be replaced. I am slightly concerned to have the dealer replace the head gasket on an older higher mileage engine (196k). Concerned with too much compression on the old engine after they replaced and reshape the heads. Is this a valid concern, and what would your suggestions be?

(Apologies if this post is misplaced, I couldn't find a more applicable thread)

 

[YetiX]

I understand this forum is for the V6 issue, however my 2004 V8 4.7L is having the exact same issue and I am looking for some guidance. It was idling and running rough between 60-70mph. The mechanic originally diagnosed cylinder #6 misfire and replaced the plug and coil. The issue continued and they finally came back with the head gasket needing to be replaced. I am slightly concerned to have the dealer replace the head gasket on an older higher mileage engine (196k). Concerned with too much compression on the old engine after they replaced and reshape the heads. Is this a valid concern, and what would your suggestions be?

(Apologies if this post is misplaced, I couldn't find a more applicable thread)

I had a friend in the same boat. (Ironically, his V8 failed at the same time as my V6.) He elected to get it fixed since the engine should easily be good for a couple hundred thousand more miles. He had just bought his and figured the previous owner had over-heated the engine and then did just enough to hide the head gasket issue until after he purchased it.

 

[paulrits]

I had a friend in the same boat. (Ironically, his V8 failed at the same time as my V6.) He elected to get it fixed since the engine should easily be good for a couple hundred thousand more miles. He had just bought his and figured the previous owner had over-heated the engine and then did just enough to hide the head gasket issue until after he purchased it.

Has he been happy with the fix? How long ago did he do it and has he had any additional issues?

 

[YetiX]

Has he been happy with the fix? How long ago did he do it and has he had any additional issues?

Very happy. We both had then done in February, so about 10 months and 15k miles.

 

[taco-1grfe]

Check engine light came on, dealer replaced both head gaskets and machined heads.
2005 4Runner 206,000 miles, production date 7/05, 2 wheel drive.

Christmas Day and the light came back on after 12 miles and one day.
Runs rough also.
I’ll be at the dealers at 7:00 AM tomorrow..

Bro,
Never let a standard machine shop mill your heads!!! I would go back to the dealership and demand the specs!

Toyota spec is .001mm. If they milled more than that and they did not use thicker head gaskets you will have problems.

A retired Toyota engineer who worked on the development of the 1GR-FE lives 20 miles from my house. We met by circumstance right after the dealership worked on my engine. It was running, but off a bit, just not right. First words out of his mouth after he heard it and saw symptoms....

"They machined the heads didn't they?"


Get the machining specs, if the went over 0.001mm, insist that the dealership replace the heads with brand new OEM Toyota heads.


I verified what tge engineer told me. Look in the Toyota Factory Serice Manual, spec. is 0.001mm. Your engine will NEVER run perfect evee again if it waa milled more that spec.

 

[ThatSickRip]

2005 SR5
8/04
144,400
?

Started her up this morning for work and heard the gargling sound from the dash Going to go home tonight and check the coolant and radiator for the symptoms listed in the thread. No codes thrown...yet. Second owner, pretty good maintenance records and have only put about 600 miles on it so far since 11.25.17. I was already planning on doing an oil change this weekend, so Im probably going to do a Blackstone test to be proactive and not wait.

I was looking to do a coolant flush since I did not see one in the records. Is it worth proceeding or should I wait on the results first? I put only 100 miles a week on it, if that, so it wont be like Ill be tacking on a lot of mileage in the meantime.

 

[ray k]

Definitely wait on the coolant flush until you make sure the HG is ok. If the coolant is low, rent a test from autozone. Good luck.

 

[ThatSickRip]

2005 SR5
8/04
144,400
?

Started her up this morning for work and heard the gargling sound from the dash Going to go home tonight and check the coolant and radiator for the symptoms listed in the thread. No codes thrown...yet. Second owner, pretty good maintenance records and have only put about 600 miles on it so far since 11.25.17. I was already planning on doing an oil change this weekend, so Im probably going to do a Blackstone test to be proactive and not wait.

I was looking to do a coolant flush since I did not see one in the records. Is it worth proceeding or should I wait on the results first? I put only 100 miles a week on it, if that, so it wont be like Ill be tacking on a lot of mileage in the meantime.

Checked some things last night:

-coolant is extremely low. I have coolant coming today, so will top off and see what it does.

-coolant did not have a gas smell. I know its not a 100% method, but still checked

-oil looked good

-still no codes thrown yet

I will keep an eye (and ear) on it after I top it off later. Ill probably look at renting the carbon tester from an auto parts store like ray k suggested.

 

[YetiX]

Checked some things last night:

-coolant is extremely low. I have coolant coming today, so will top off and see what it does.

-coolant did not have a gas smell. I know its not a 100% method, but still checked

-oil looked good

-still no codes thrown yet

I will keep an eye (and ear) on it after I top it off later. Ill probably look at renting the carbon tester from an auto parts store like ray k suggested.

There are other things that can make your coolant level drop, so maybe you're lucky. Hopefully a top off is all it needs.

Check your radiator and water pump VERY carefully for signs of leaks, it would look like pink salt buildup.

 

[ThatSickRip]

There are other things that can make your coolant level drop, so maybe you're lucky. Hopefully a top off is all it needs.

Check your radiator and water pump VERY carefully for signs of leaks, it would look like pink salt buildup.

Will do.

Topped off the coolant last night and the gurgling sound was not there when I started this morning. Im still going to do as many checks as I can to try to be ahead of it just in case:

-carbon test
-bore scope
-oil analysis

 

[ooandyoo]

Im pretty sure my HG has gone. Im starting to get all the typical symptoms:

Water sound behind the dash when on startup.
Rough Idle for 30 seconds on startup (This only happens once in a while)
Loss of coolant without seeing any leaks.
Periodic P0300, P0301, P0306 codes.

Year: 2005
Production Date
4X2
Mileage of failure: 205,000
Cylinder # that leaked: 1, 6

Looks like it might be time to sell it to Carmax.

 

[YetiX]

Im pretty sure my HG has gone. Im starting to get all the typical symptoms:

Water sound behind the dash when on startup.
Rough Idle for 30 seconds on startup (This only happens once in a while)
Loss of coolant without seeing any leaks.
Periodic P0300, P0301, P0306 codes.

Year: 2005
Production Date
4X2
Mileage of failure: 205,000
Cylinder # that leaked: 1, 6

Looks like it might be time to sell it to Carmax.

Bummer, it does sound like it.

 

[DEF4Runner]

There are other things that can make your coolant level drop, so maybe you're lucky. Hopefully a top off is all it needs.

Check your radiator and water pump VERY carefully for signs of leaks, it would look like pink salt buildup.

What are some of the other things that will cause a level drop?

I occasionally have the water fall sound behind the dash on start-up, but I haven't tossed a single code or experienced no rough idle.