Hunter.Cribb
New member
My 2006 gets a waterfall noise when starting up also. But it also occasionally makes the noise when I hit the accelerator after sitting at a light. Is this the symptoms y’all are having?
*** V6 Head Gasket Action Request ***
- Thread starter morphious
- Start date
I have a 2005 SR5 2WD with 150,000 miles and no HG issues - runs like a new car.
There are approximately 1.5 million 4 runners that were built between 2000 and 2019. I think 90% will get to 350,000 miles without HG issues.
My car was build in Japan by Japanese. Not made in USA in Alabama.
I've never had a "code" or check engine light in 15 years.:horn::car::horn::horn:
youtube Bar's Leak HG-1 HEAD SEAL Blown - Bing video
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kcdehart
New member
Tests done:
Compression
Checked coolant for gasses
Checked oil for coolant
Checked injectors, plugs, and coil packs (I'm going to actually swap injectors, as I'm not sure if they tried that, or just ensured that they were all firing)
They pressure tested my cooling system for 14 hours...and supposedly it never misfired for them.
I had my battery tested and it's fine
It didn't for a few more days for me, but then it came back. I cleaned my throttle body (which was really bad) and that helped my idle, but it's still missing the majority of the time when I start it up.
At this point I'm honestly not sure what to try. :/
RickC
New member
According to my mechanic, the problem shows up between 160-220k miles. Mine happened at 193k and it cost 1900.00 to fix it, but that was a steal. Don't brag too loudly, your day is coming if you keep it long enough. Mine is a 2003. The issue was fixed in 2006 so anything built after that shouldn't see the problem.
AuSeeker
Elite Member
Just an FYI, all T4Rs were and are made in Japan including the ones with the early V6s that have been having head gasket issues, none were made in Alabama, many Tundras were however made there.
The Yin
Member
I've never had a 'Code' or CEL either, other then when doing mods or mucking with stuff. And if I wasn't looking for the signs or doing a long road trip in hot weather with a loaded truck, then mine to would be running "like a new car".
Just say'n
toyota fanboy
New member
New here.
Bought first T4R, a 2004 Limited 4WD last week, 181,009 miles, at a good price but seller didn't disclose coolant issues until after sale, which diminishes the bargain , A LOT.
On highway trips coolant boils over and spurts out the overflow vent leaving reservoir full but radiator low.
Going to take it to the dealer to diagnose, but it's probably a HG, right ? Having since joined here yesterday, I'm learning a little late I probably should have avoided this model year.
At idle , I can add fluid and burp radiator with no more bubbles, but it seems like higher RPMs might be when the HG leaks into rad. So far coolant and oil colors look normal.
Any hope it's just a bad water pump, tstat or rad cap ? Radiator has been replaced this year, but my money says the old radiator got blown out by the HG, hence the replacement.
Bought first T4R, a 2004 Limited 4WD last week, 181,009 miles, at a good price but seller didn't disclose coolant issues until after sale, which diminishes the bargain , A LOT.
On highway trips coolant boils over and spurts out the overflow vent leaving reservoir full but radiator low.
Going to take it to the dealer to diagnose, but it's probably a HG, right ? Having since joined here yesterday, I'm learning a little late I probably should have avoided this model year.
At idle , I can add fluid and burp radiator with no more bubbles, but it seems like higher RPMs might be when the HG leaks into rad. So far coolant and oil colors look normal.
Any hope it's just a bad water pump, tstat or rad cap ? Radiator has been replaced this year, but my money says the old radiator got blown out by the HG, hence the replacement.
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Hi Everyone,
First post here. Wish it was in another thread.
I just purchased an 05 SR5 with 164k miles on it. The Truck is in fantastic shape in every way. Before purchase i had it inspected at a local Toyota dealer who gave it a clean bill of health which i soon figured out wasn't worth much. A couple of days after taking delivery of the truck, i popped the radiator cap and saw green coolant in the radiator and Pink in the overflow. No good. I also notice the waterfall sound coming from under the dash on cold startup.
Ruh roh.
Take it back to the Toyota dealer, get my inspection funds applied to a cooling system flush and fill and ask them to insure there isn't a head gasket issue. They say there's no head gasket issue and that the issue with the waterfall sound is fixed. Next morning, waterfall sound again so i take it back to the dealer. They tell me they'll use vacuum to get the coolant to pull through the heater core and get the bubble out. Next morning, waterfall sound.
Now i find out about the head gasket issues.....i have 30 days to return this truck which i absolutely love. No rough start issues, no overheating issues. I have a scangauge and i've been monitoring coolant temps and they are between 185 and 191 while driving around.
I have a bunch of service records on the car but nothing regarding coolant changes, though i know someone did put green in it at some point.
So....might I ask the collective wisdom of this fine forum for some advice? Would you continue performing tests or just return the truck and walk away? It was built in June of 05....
First post here. Wish it was in another thread.
I just purchased an 05 SR5 with 164k miles on it. The Truck is in fantastic shape in every way. Before purchase i had it inspected at a local Toyota dealer who gave it a clean bill of health which i soon figured out wasn't worth much. A couple of days after taking delivery of the truck, i popped the radiator cap and saw green coolant in the radiator and Pink in the overflow. No good. I also notice the waterfall sound coming from under the dash on cold startup.
Ruh roh.
Take it back to the Toyota dealer, get my inspection funds applied to a cooling system flush and fill and ask them to insure there isn't a head gasket issue. They say there's no head gasket issue and that the issue with the waterfall sound is fixed. Next morning, waterfall sound again so i take it back to the dealer. They tell me they'll use vacuum to get the coolant to pull through the heater core and get the bubble out. Next morning, waterfall sound.
Now i find out about the head gasket issues.....i have 30 days to return this truck which i absolutely love. No rough start issues, no overheating issues. I have a scangauge and i've been monitoring coolant temps and they are between 185 and 191 while driving around.
I have a bunch of service records on the car but nothing regarding coolant changes, though i know someone did put green in it at some point.
So....might I ask the collective wisdom of this fine forum for some advice? Would you continue performing tests or just return the truck and walk away? It was built in June of 05....
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toyota fanboy
New member
I bet the dealer suspects the head gasket, but wants to charge you for all these pre-inspections before it gets around to doing a compression test and hitting you with the big work order.
Bought mine private sale, wish I could be in your shoes with a 30 day return policy !
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
Bought mine private sale, wish I could be in your shoes with a 30 day return policy !
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
AuSeeker
Elite Member
I would return it and look for another, if you find one that has a V6 be sure to look at the build date, it's needs to be 12/05 or later to insure it has the updated head gaskets, or if you find an earlier build that has had the head gasket replaced, the new gaskets would be of the new design, or if you luck up and find a V8 even better.
The only other option is keep it until it starts running badly and be prepared to replace the head gaskets.
The proper test is to test the coolant for combustion gases, if they find combustion gases in the coolant the head gasket/s are bad and will at some point get worst, many have driven for a year or more after a test showing the head gasket/s are bad.
The only other option is keep it until it starts running badly and be prepared to replace the head gaskets.
The proper test is to test the coolant for combustion gases, if they find combustion gases in the coolant the head gasket/s are bad and will at some point get worst, many have driven for a year or more after a test showing the head gasket/s are bad.
Return the truck. Maybe they'll fix the HG
Build date or VIN when V6 HG fix effective?
'06 4R V6 169K miles
My question: Does anyone know the build date or VIN when the 4R V6 HG fix at the factory is effective?
Been having engine symptoms which sound like blown HG [rough at startup, CEL on, P0304 scan code [misfire #4 cyl]. Mechanic replaced plugs and coils, and cleaned injectors. He says it's not the HG, just dirty injectors. Cylinder test shows too much ethanol so going to run 89 octane instead of 87 for a while. Hoping I'm not in for an expensive HG job!!! TIA!
Have asked in the 4th Gen FB group, but wanted to ask this group too.
'06 4R V6 169K miles
My question: Does anyone know the build date or VIN when the 4R V6 HG fix at the factory is effective?
Been having engine symptoms which sound like blown HG [rough at startup, CEL on, P0304 scan code [misfire #4 cyl]. Mechanic replaced plugs and coils, and cleaned injectors. He says it's not the HG, just dirty injectors. Cylinder test shows too much ethanol so going to run 89 octane instead of 87 for a while. Hoping I'm not in for an expensive HG job!!! TIA!
Have asked in the 4th Gen FB group, but wanted to ask this group too.
kcdehart
New member
Replace the injector in the cylinder that's having the misfires. Myself and others have had issues (especially after the engine gets too hot once or twice, but not hot enough to blow the HG) where the #4 or #6 injector will stick open and leak gas into the cylinder after the vehicle is turned off. That, in turn, leads to bad misfires on startup. Replacing my #4 injector fixed it for me 100%. Be careful though, as there are some crappy remans out there.
Cleaning the injectors doesn't help, as it does nothing to solve the injector's actual issue of sticking open.
Warr-Runner
New member
Your build date is written in the door jam, drivers side. I also have a 2006, unfortunately it was built in 11/05. I had all the symptoms in this thread and finally had it fixed. All good now at close to 190K.
As far as I can tell Toyota started using the "other" HGs around 12/05.
martinbril
New member
Year: 2005
Production Date: January
4x4 Sport
Mileage: 153k, owned since 140k with symptoms
Had water sound behind dash after purchase, coolant reservoir was low.
Filled up the radiator and overflow, slowly draining since. Possible unrelated radiator leak but very inconsistent.
Sweet exhaust smell on startup for 30 seconds.
Did block test that passed.
No misfire, no rough start or decrease power.
Oil looks good. Have done two oil changes since.
Next step will be compression test.
Production Date: January
4x4 Sport
Mileage: 153k, owned since 140k with symptoms
Had water sound behind dash after purchase, coolant reservoir was low.
Filled up the radiator and overflow, slowly draining since. Possible unrelated radiator leak but very inconsistent.
Sweet exhaust smell on startup for 30 seconds.
Did block test that passed.
No misfire, no rough start or decrease power.
Oil looks good. Have done two oil changes since.
Next step will be compression test.
What's a good reman injector brand?
Thanks for the info Kevin. What is a good brand of remanufactured injector for this engine? Is OEM the best?
Thanks for the info Kevin. What is a good brand of remanufactured injector for this engine? Is OEM the best?
kcdehart
New member
OEM is ideal. I got one from Rockauto and it's working fine so far. It appears to be an OEM reman.
I just can't recommend getting any from eBay. I got a set of 6 (supposedly OEM remanned) from there thinking to just replace all of my injectors. I confirmed that at least 3 did not work properly. Either causing a misfire when used, or leaking gas when the fuel rail pressurized. I gave up on the rest and returned the whole set.
I noticed there were sets of 6 for around $65-90 on Amazon, and then there was a single one for $129 on the Napa site. Think I'll go with the Napa one. https://www.napaonline.com/en/searc...wordInput=fuel+injector&referer=nol-veh-conds
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