*** V6 Head Gasket Action Request ***

[Mabeldog]

Not many with the build date your's has or later have had head gasket issues, have you checked for coolant leaks, the bottom corners of the radiator, side tanks seams, around the thermostat housing, waterpump, all hoses, etc.?

I'm finally giving the green light to have the dealership do my HG today. Had I known what I know now I would have left it at Toy Tech. Bottom line. $2,600 for both HGs. Recommended that I do the timing chain (05 v6 4wd 180k). Brings total to $3,400. Says it's all parts and no labor but that sounds suspect. Now the kicker. He also mentioned doing valve intake seals while in there. If anybody, with knowledge in the subject reads this and can give me their opinion within the next few hours, I would greatly appreciate it. I'd like to drive it to maybe 225-250k. Would you do the chain or seals? One or the other? Or neither? Thanks. I'm leaning towards the chain but the guy I bought it from had it dealer serviced every 5k for it's entire life. I doubt is necessary but feeling like $900 insurance might be worth it.

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[Mabeldog]

I'm finally giving the green light to have the dealership do my HG today. Had I known what I know now I would have left it at Toy Tech. Bottom line. $2,600 for both HGs. Recommended that I do the timing chain (05 v6 4wd 180k). Brings total to $3,400. Says it's all parts and no labor but that sounds suspect. Now the kicker. He also mentioned doing valve intake seals while in there. If anybody, with knowledge in the subject reads this and can give me their opinion within the next few hours, I would greatly appreciate it. I'd like to drive it to maybe 225-250k. Would you do the chain or seals? One or the other? Or neither? Thanks. I'm leaning towards the chain but the guy I bought it from had it dealer serviced every 5k for it's entire life. I doubt is necessary but feeling like $900 insurance might be worth it.

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Oh. I forgot to add that doing the seals brings the total to $4,400.

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[YetiX]

Oh. I forgot to add that doing the seals brings the total to $4,400.

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Fwiw, I did the valve seals when I did mine. Did not do the chain. My mechanic checked it and it was still well-within spec at ~190k miles. My total, including labor, came out to right around $4k.

 

[iBison]

I'm finally giving the green light to have the dealership do my HG today. Had I known what I know now I would have left it at Toy Tech. Bottom line. $2,600 for both HGs. Recommended that I do the timing chain (05 v6 4wd 180k). Brings total to $3,400. Says it's all parts and no labor but that sounds suspect. Now the kicker. He also mentioned doing valve intake seals while in there. If anybody, with knowledge in the subject reads this and can give me their opinion within the next few hours, I would greatly appreciate it. I'd like to drive it to maybe 225-250k. Would you do the chain or seals? One or the other? Or neither? Thanks. I'm leaning towards the chain but the guy I bought it from had it dealer serviced every 5k for it's entire life. I doubt is necessary but feeling like $900 insurance might be worth it.

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I was in for a little over 900 for parts and that was with sending the heads to a machine shop to get surfaced AND them putting in all new valve seals. I got the parts the cheapest places I could, but that also includes water pump, thermostat, every seal we could replace, pulley bearings, head bolts and the special tool required for the heads. I'll let you decide if you think they are charging you for parts only.

 

[greenscales]

2 '05 4wd Sport V6s between 150-175k failures

First one was about 4 years ago, 175k had a radiator leak I missed, so it did overheat slightly, but had noticed a little issue prior. Done by Longo Toyota - largest dealer in the world. They did not do the timing chain - was out $5k and 2 weeks w/o car. Chain gasket gone at 225k and had to drop the engine again $3k and a week.. Don't use them for service much anymore. Wrecked last year in Baja.

Replacement, not maintained as well by previous owner. But low mileage. Just did gasket at 155k. Private mechanic, previous head mechanic at Longo. $3k including chain and upgrading all fluids to Amsoil. If I do another, 4.7 v8 - lower maintenance costs make up for gas consumption.

Now I will do my brakes and waiting for Hankook to come out w/new version of Dynapro ATMs (100 k on last set - new ones are supposedly better all around).

 

[Lineman8]

First one was about 4 years ago, 175k had a radiator leak I missed, so it did overheat slightly, but had noticed a little issue prior. Done by Longo Toyota - largest dealer in the world. They did not do the timing chain - was out $5k and 2 weeks w/o car. Chain gasket gone at 225k and had to drop the engine again $3k and a week.. Don't use them for service much anymore. Wrecked last year in Baja.

Replacement, not maintained as well by previous owner. But low mileage. Just did gasket at 155k. Private mechanic, previous head mechanic at Longo. $3k including chain and upgrading all fluids to Amsoil. If I do another, 4.7 v8 - lower maintenance costs make up for gas consumption.

Now I will do my brakes and waiting for Hankook to come out w/new version of Dynapro ATMs (100 k on last set - new ones are supposedly better all around).

On the replacement, did you replace the chain gasket at 155 or head gaskets?

 

[JMZ400]

FYI don't have a itemized quote, but my local dealer came up with just under $3200 for my gaskets but no chain. Advisor said he hasn't done a chain in the 6 years he's been there.

Local independent shop just quoted me 2750-3000 using Toyota parts.



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[greenscales]

Chain gasket as well. Learned from previous time. Labor is the issue, but cheaper now than a second engine drop and time in a rental.

 

[Lineman8]

Chain gasket as well. Learned from previous time. Labor is the issue, but cheaper now than a second engine drop and time in a rental.

Wow...so you owned two of these, and both needed head gaskets?! Is this just an expected maintenance at 160k+ or was that bad luck?.. I heard these problems as common with Subarus, but didn't expect to be inheriting a problem engine when buying a Toyota. My fault for overlooking this before buying. I thought replacing the timing belt regularly on the last generation seemed slightly annoying, didn't realize that maintenance was being replaced with head gaskets on the new engine. :wow2:

Such a great vehicle otherwise, I almost wish I didn't like it so much, then I wouldnt feel inclined to spend 3k on an engine repair :ybrick:

 

[Lineman8]

FYI don't have a itemized quote, but my local dealer came up with just under $3200 for my gaskets but no chain. Advisor said he hasn't done a chain in the 6 years he's been there.

Local independent shop just quoted me 2750-3000 using Toyota parts.



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Good info, thanks

 

[Jixxer6]

Well I think it’s time for a head gasket on my wife’s 2005 4.0. It starts up and runs like crap for 30-60 seconds or so. I put new NGK plugs in it, then swapped around coils, then replace all 6 injectors with reman denso. The misfire stays on cylinder 4 and 6. What is strange is that it doesn’t seem to be using any coolant. For those of you that have had this done how long did you drive it before you had it repaired? What if anything did you replace besides the head gasket? Was their anything else besides the head gasket that failed such as the head or the block? I’m going to be buying the Toyota head gasket kit and doing this myself. Just trying to get some more info before I dive in. Thanks!


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[Mabeldog]

Well I think it’s time for a head gasket on my wife’s 2005 4.0. It starts up and runs like crap for 30-60 seconds or so. I put new NGK plugs in it, then swapped around coils, then replace all 6 injectors with reman denso. The misfire stays on cylinder 4 and 6. What is strange is that it doesn’t seem to be using any coolant. For those of you that have had this done how long did you drive it before you had it repaired? What if anything did you replace besides the head gasket? Was their anything else besides the head gasket that failed such as the head or the block? I’m going to be buying the Toyota head gasket kit and doing this myself. Just trying to get some more info before I dive in. Thanks!


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Mine through the misfire code 6 most ago or so. I heard gurgling a few most later. It started throwing the code more often. Ran rough at start up but barely noticeable and not quite 30 second, I'd estimate. I took it to a shop and parked it when I heard people had them suddenly overheat. That guy was going to take forever so I went to another shop, someone recommended. They started asking me questions that made me Leary if their abilities so I took it to the Toyota dealership because their quote was significantly less than expected. It's there now. They initially recommended I think about replacing the chain (before opening anything up). Later, after asking more questions the supervisor said my chain should be fine since it never overheated. Sounded like the main issue is if you get enough coolant in your oil and it waters is down and stops lubricating the chain sufficiently it can stretch. I feel like I'm taking a risk not doing it but is was to be an extra 900 and they also recommended valve seals to tune of another $900. I figured I could spend an unlimited amount of money chasing potential problems so I'm gambling with only doing the head gasket. I too love my 4runner and can't picture anything I'd want more so I'm fixing it but I think I believed the hype too much as far as the trouble free Toyota reputation. Not to mention everything is expensive as hell to do on it. Nicknaming mine the B.O.A.T. Break out another thousand haha! It's hasn't been bad but when I read the stuff about $1k for the sunroof problem I hear is inevitable, I get a little nervous that I'll continue to pour money into it. Thinking I'm done using the sunroof.

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[YetiX]

Well I think it’s time for a head gasket on my wife’s 2005 4.0. It starts up and runs like crap for 30-60 seconds or so. I put new NGK plugs in it, then swapped around coils, then replace all 6 injectors with reman denso. The misfire stays on cylinder 4 and 6. What is strange is that it doesn’t seem to be using any coolant. For those of you that have had this done how long did you drive it before you had it repaired? What if anything did you replace besides the head gasket? Was their anything else besides the head gasket that failed such as the head or the block? I’m going to be buying the Toyota head gasket kit and doing this myself. Just trying to get some more info before I dive in. Thanks!

I replaced my water pump too. There are a number of gaskets you'll need to replace, but I believe the Toyota kit covers those. You may or may not need to have your heads machined, I did not, but I did have them cleaned up and the valve seals replaced just because.

 

[JohnBN200]

Hey everyone, I have been really studying these threads since I have an 04 that just turned 190,000 miles. I have no signs of a head gasket leak yet, that I know of, but I just sent out a UOA for the first time since I bought it new. Would antifreeze show up in the oil if the HG is leaking? Thanks, John

 

[YetiX]

Hey everyone, I have been really studying these threads since I have an 04 that just turned 190,000 miles. I have no signs of a head gasket leak yet, that I know of, but I just sent out a UOA for the first time since I bought it new. Would antifreeze show up in the oil if the HG is leaking? Thanks, John

From what my mechanic said, no. But hydrocarbons will show up in the coolant.

 

[JohnBN200]

From what my mechanic said, no. But hydrocarbons will show up in the coolant.

Thanks YetiX. I just had the cooling system flushed and new coolant put in as it was time to do it. It has never been low on coolant, nor have I ever overheated it since i bought it new. I guess I'll just keep an eye on it and look for the tall tale signs if they start appearing. The UOA should be done this week, so i'm looking forward to seeing the results on it.

John

 

[iBison]

Mine through the misfire code 6 most ago or so. I heard gurgling a few most later. It started throwing the code more often. Ran rough at start up but barely noticeable and not quite 30 second, I'd estimate. I took it to a shop and parked it when I heard people had them suddenly overheat. That guy was going to take forever so I went to another shop, someone recommended. They started asking me questions that made me Leary if their abilities so I took it to the Toyota dealership because their quote was significantly less than expected. It's there now. They initially recommended I think about replacing the chain (before opening anything up). Later, after asking more questions the supervisor said my chain should be fine since it never overheated. Sounded like the main issue is if you get enough coolant in your oil and it waters is down and stops lubricating the chain sufficiently it can stretch. I feel like I'm taking a risk not doing it but is was to be an extra 900 and they also recommended valve seals to tune of another $900. I figured I could spend an unlimited amount of money chasing potential problems so I'm gambling with only doing the head gasket. I too love my 4runner and can't picture anything I'd want more so I'm fixing it but I think I believed the hype too much as far as the trouble free Toyota reputation. Not to mention everything is expensive as hell to do on it. Nicknaming mine the B.O.A.T. Break out another thousand haha! It's hasn't been bad but when I read the stuff about $1k for the sunroof problem I hear is inevitable, I get a little nervous that I'll continue to pour money into it. Thinking I'm done using the sunroof.

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$900 for valve seals, are you kidding me??! I took my heads to the machine shop when we did mine. They charged me 2 something to clean and mill them flat and replace the valve seals. 900 to stick a new chain on while it's already apart seems excessive to me.

 

[BrianMcC]

I've lurked here for at least a decade, but I guess I have never made an account...

I am the original owner on my 2005 SR5 with the V6. I noticed the waterfall or rushing water sound develop within the past month as I start the engine, but my coolant level is at the full mark.

I took the radiator cap off and it doesn't smell like exhaust or fuel. I did notice over the winter that it seemed like I was getting a film on the inside of my windshield and I was thinking that maybe I had a heater core leak. But now, I'm dreading the head gasket issue...

I haven't used an OBDII reader, but if the check engine light hasn't gone off, would there be a misfire code to read?

I'm also looking at getting a scope to see whether there is any coolant under the spark plugs.

Is there anything else I should be looking at?

 

[YetiX]

I've lurked here for at least a decade, but I guess I have never made an account...

I am the original owner on my 2005 SR5 with the V6. I noticed the waterfall or rushing water sound develop within the past month as I start the engine, but my coolant level is at the full mark.

I took the radiator cap off and it doesn't smell like exhaust or fuel. I did notice over the winter that it seemed like I was getting a film on the inside of my windshield and I was thinking that maybe I had a heater core leak. But now, I'm dreading the head gasket issue...

I haven't used an OBDII reader, but if the check engine light hasn't gone off, would there be a misfire code to read?

I'm also looking at getting a scope to see whether there is any coolant under the spark plugs.

Is there anything else I should be looking at?

I never got a CEL. My overflow reservoir was always full, but when I opened the radiator the level was low and it smelled like gasoline. I too had the film on the inside of the windshield.

 

[Mabeldog]

$900 for valve seals, are you kidding me??! I took my heads to the machine shop when we did mine. They charged me 2 something to clean and mill them flat and replace the valve seals. 900 to stick a new chain on while it's already apart seems excessive to me.

I guess they get you in the door by giving you a "reasonable" quote of $2,600 for the head gasket and soak you on the "while we are in there" parts. Got my truck back and it runs great. Jury is still out on what all happened while it was there. Came back with Nick in the dash, sticky rubber on my passenger side window seeming as though the window seal was failing and coming out when rolling the window up and down. Not sure what that is. They said they found a leak in the radiator while in there. Replaced the radiator and applied a bunch of discounts to labor, parts which save me $400 and kept the total to the $2,600 they quoted, (actually slightly cheaper). I noticed yesterday that somehow some liquid got inside my head lights. I had just recently used haze remover and they looked good and now there is this liquid inside. Not sure if the spray the engine to clean it up or what, or it's coolant that sprayed in there somehow. They did about 150 miles in test driving. Happy with the price but I feel like a backyard mechanic did the work and screwed up all these little things. Doesn't feel like dealer quality. I mentioned previously that they also did the recall on the center airbag sensor. Not sure what that involves. The have an 06 on their lot for sale. I'm starting to think they exchanged my better than average parts with that one, haha! I hope that's a rediculous notion though.

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