*** V6 Head Gasket Action Request ***

[YetiX]

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.

Water pump leak, radiator leak, etc.

 

[DEF4Runner]

Water pump leak, radiator leak, etc.

LOL...guess I left my Captain Obvious hat at work today.

Guess there's no way for the cooling system to actually 'consume' coolant over time without actually leaking it internally/externally....

 

[Yaniris23]

Head gasket problems

I have a 2004 Toyota 4 Runner with 196,000 miles. I was just told that I need a new radiator and head gasket. :shrug:

P.S. Does anyone know how to remove the rear passenger side door?


Elisa

 

[ErikM]

05 SR5 HG Issue

not sure if this info is still being gathered here; but here's my info:

2005 SR5
4x4
Date: 10/04
239k
cyl3 and cyl4 have the issue...first showed up to me as P0300...Toyota checked it out and said 3rd and 4th cyls fluid, etc
11th char: 8

just bought the vehicle last month...i think the "dealer" cleared the codes to sell it...lucky me...no real idea how long the vehicle has had this issue...probably why it was traded in in the first place

i'm just trying to figure out options at this point

• fix the current HG ($3700 @ Toyota)...my concern is that would the new part(s) mesh with the old engine? have heard stories of it not working perfectly and/or other issue showing up after (smoking, etc)
• buy re-manufactured engine == $7000-$8000...at least wouldn't have old gasket...but, how will it mesh with all the older components (transmission, etc)? no clue; but, seems that there might be issues with the older components + new engine (radiator is brand new, fwiw)
• buy a used engine == not sure if old HG or new HG...really don't want to bring an old HG into the mix...2nd verse would suck like the 1st
  {*}rebuild exising engine...i think i was quoted about $5000ish and 2weeks to do the work...seems this would be the long way to go about getting a re-manufactured, ie old components + new components...i really don't know though
• buy new 4r (again.../sigh)

working my way through this thread (and all 40+ pages of it) to see if there is something that might help with my decision...i like the 05 the best out of the 4th gens...would prefer to keep the v6; but, maybe the v8 was the way to go, sans the gas mileage...or maybe 06/07/08?

anyhow

 

[YetiX]

not sure if this info is still being gathered here; but here's my info:

2005 SR5
4x4
Date: 10/04
239k
cyl3 and cyl4 have the issue...first showed up to me as P0300...Toyota checked it out and said 3rd and 4th cyls fluid, etc
11th char: 8

*** snip

I have not heard of any issues for people who replaced the head gaskets. Mine runs great now. I would just replace the headgaskets (might as well do the water pump while they're in there) and call it good for another 200k miles.

 

[ErikM]

I have not heard of any issues for people who replaced the head gaskets. Mine runs great now. I would just replace the headgaskets (might as well do the water pump while they're in there) and call it good for another 200k miles.

thanks for your feedback...learned a lot more about the issue and remedies since I found this thread

got it down to a used engine or just replacing the gaskets...I can get a used engine with 107k for $2700 + lifetime warranty for another $1000 + p/l to install...warranty covered parts and labor, which seemed like a decent warranty for a used engine

however, not sure any benefit to getting the diff engine, other than less miles on it

so yeah, just gonna get both head gaskets replaced and move on...quote from Toyota dealership was about $3700

hadn't thought about water pump but maybe, since they'll be in they already

anyhow

thanks

Sent from my LG-H910 using Tapatalk

 

[metramm]

What would be interesting to gather is the coolant change interval that users follow as well as the number of times your coolant was changed in your 4runner prior to the head gasket going bad.

I've read in this thread that the coolant can become acidic if it isn't changed often.

I would like to gather information from those that have both experienced head gasket failure, as well as those that haven't on how often they changed their engine coolant.

I'll start:
2006 4runner 4.0 4x4
Drain and fill radiator every 15k miles (roughly once yearly) since i purchased at 126k miles with Toyota SLLC.
Currently at 159k without issues.

It would be interesting to see if those that had head gasket failure either changed their coolant (and at what mileage)
a - never
b - per the manual
c - more often (yearly)

Again, I'm just trying to determine if there is a corelation between coolant change interval schedules and head gasket failure.

Because if there is, and say if changing your coolant more often (say every year or 15k miles) would result in no head gasket issues, then it could possibly prevent our gaskets from failing in the future.

What do you guys think?

 

[YetiX]

I would be interesting to know. However, I suspect I'm not the only one who does not have complete service records for their 4Runner. Mine did not come with any records and Toyota's website does not have a ton of information either. I know it was well-maintained from the condition it was in, but do not know any of the specifics.

Oh, I also know it was used to transport little kids around due to the number of fruit chewies I found under the back seat. :spit:

 

[metramm]

Totally agree with you YetiX. My 4runner was purchased used and it had some records for maintenance but nothing mentioning coolant changes.

In my instance, I just started my own maintenance schedule once I purchased it as others do here.

If past information isn't available at least we could see present/current coolant changes that the owner has and go from there.

 

[H2omike65]

Update...got my 05 back, idles rough after head gaskets replaced. Runs great otherwise.Toyota dealer checked everything out, computer says all is correct. They suggeted that I drive it for 500-1000 miles to see if the idle smooths out. I wonder if the compression is a little higher now and the computer is confused. Got my fingers crossed, I am now on a first name basis with most of the service Dept.

 

[YetiX]

Update...got my 05 back, idles rough after head gaskets replaced. Runs great otherwise.Toyota dealer checked everything out, computer says all is correct. They suggeted that I drive it for 500-1000 miles to see if the idle smooths out. I wonder if the compression is a little higher now and the computer is confused. Got my fingers crossed, I am now on a first name basis with most of the service Dept.

Mine did that as well. I'm now about 6k miles out and idle is almost perfectly smooth now. My suspicion has been, like you, that the compression may have changed slightly, that my valves needed to re-seat themselves (the heads were cleaned up), and everything just needed a good break-in. I would not worry about it at all.

 

[jtbraun]

Headgasket failure

Count mine...2005 4Runner Limited 4x4 with 138K miles. Second owner since 112K miles. Got the code and the gurgling noise. Have an appointment on Monday at the dealer to have the head gaskets replaced. Not happy, but it's been fantastic otherwise.

 

[metramm]

JT,

Would you mind posting your coolant service history? has it been changed since you purchased, are there any records of it being changed by the previous owner?

Just gathering data to see if there is a corelation.

Thanks!

 

[santana]

I went the not recommended cheap route and it worked.

05 Sport v6 with currently 208k
Radiator and fluid was changed at about 106k

At about 150-65k cylinder 6? i believe started misfiring. noticed the spark plug was a bit charred up and changed it. Then at about 162k or so during winter started getting really rough starts and my vsc check engine lights were all on. heater also stopped working probably because of radiator fluid loss.

So it was clear the head gasket was leaking radiator fluid into my cylinder. Read up a lot about it on this very website and other places everything pointed to head gasket replacement. The car ran great after it turned on and only would have a rough time starting over night. so it was probably a smaller leak.

I said screw it and decided to take a chance and researched some products that will stop the leak. I decided on K-seal and ATP AT-205. One went in the radiator and the other in the oil. Poured both in said a prayer and continued on with the issue. After about a week or two the leak went away. No more hard starts no more engine lights. 4runner has been on the road for a number of years since then. Currently at 208k miles.

I don't think this is a normal case and i probably got a bit lucky but figured I would share these results. I have not changed radiator fluid since. I currently have some bottles of pink in my garage with plans to do it. I will probably only drain and refill partial amounts.

Also since the leak developed i completely abandoned using synthetic oils. I'm using high mileage regular oil. I have a suspicion thinner oils could be causing issue with gaskets as well.

 

[H2omike65]

Thanks for the encouragement.
Semper Fi back at ya! USMC 1965-1971

 

[Boxermachine]

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.

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.

Just a quick update, 10k and 5 months later and still haven't added a drop of coolant.

 

[BackOff]

What would be interesting to gather is the coolant change interval that users follow as well as the number of times your coolant was changed in your 4runner prior to the head gasket going bad.

I've read in this thread that the coolant can become acidic if it isn't changed often.

I would like to gather information from those that have both experienced head gasket failure, as well as those that haven't on how often they changed their engine coolant.

I'll start:
2006 4runner 4.0 4x4
Drain and fill radiator every 15k miles (roughly once yearly) since i purchased at 126k miles with Toyota SLLC.
Currently at 159k without issues.

It would be interesting to see if those that had head gasket failure either changed their coolant (and at what mileage)
a - never
b - per the manual
c - more often (yearly)

Again, I'm just trying to determine if there is a corelation between coolant change interval schedules and head gasket failure.

Because if there is, and say if changing your coolant more often (say every year or 15k miles) would result in no head gasket issues, then it could possibly prevent our gaskets from failing in the future.

What do you guys think?

I don't mean to be a jerk or anything.
Just seems like this is beyond the scope of any kind of actual real life data.
Toyota Corp. will not acknowledge this HG failure.
Most have moved to the 5th gen and are aware of this crap...seems like.

They fooled consumers and them selves when they introduced the "Super Long Life" antifreeze.

Purchased my '04 T4R in 2004 with around 15k...whoa! It was not 6 months old.
I got snookered into believing, and it seems like Toyota Corp did too, That SLL was good for 100k...NOT.
At 10 years I was at about 60k on the odometer.
My first antifreeze change...dumb a$$.

The funniest thing is that spam bot...UK...always 4 posts...sorry to bring that up...change it every other year...good advise...

I am on that routine with the ZEREX ASIN.

Has anyone compiled a list of parts to do the HG?
Like, once you dig into it...recommendations for the mechanically inclined?
Parts list...what you wished you had done?
Thanks gang.

 

[YetiX]

Has anyone compiled a list of parts to do the HG?
Like, once you dig into it...recommendations for the mechanically inclined?
Parts list...what you wished you had done?
Thanks gang.

I'll see if I have the list from my mechanic when I get home. He replaced everything that could be replaced except the timing chain and guide rails which he said looked and measured like new. So he did all gaskets, water pump, tensioner, all seals, spark plugs, belt, etc., so it's a pretty comprehensive list. We used all OEM stuff.

 

[Elan750]

I'll see if I have the list from my mechanic when I get home. He replaced everything that could be replaced except the timing chain and guide rails which he said looked and measured like new. So he did all gaskets, water pump, tensioner, all seals, spark plugs, belt, etc., so it's a pretty comprehensive list. We used all OEM stuff.

Seems like everything needed is in a single part number: VALVE GRIND GASKET KIT - TOYOTA (04112-31720) $189. from partznet.com

Thats obviously one side and the parts number is slightly different between years, and doeent include choice replacements (plugs, waterpump, etc etc.)

Can anyone confirm this?'

Edit: another add on is probably head bolts. Have people actually been measuring them to see if they need replacement?

 

[fdbyrne]

Going from memory alone, I think I bought a water pump and an 'Engine Overhaul Gasket Kit.'

That kit came with pretty much every gasket they would come across while tearing it down so they could replace them as they put everything back together. It wasn't expensive and I think most of the gaskets were used.