4.0L V6 Blown Head Gasket

I recently got my 2004 4Runner back from the shop for a blown head gasket, and this appears to be a rather common issue.
Threw diagnostic code P0306-misfire on cylinder 6, the result of leaking coolant into the cylinder.
Toyota wanted $3600 (NOPE), so brought it to a trusted mechanic.
He said that there are MANY reports of this on forums and that they replaced the original part in 2005 or 2006 with a redesigned gasket. Makes me wonder if they knew about this already? Wondering if any of you have experienced this?
I just opened a case w/ Toyota customer service...hopefully if enough people report it, they may issue a recall.

 

Hmmm, never heard that one. I had a 2003 with the 4.0 with 153k miles and I now have a 2007 with the 4.0 with 194k miles and haven't had an issue(crosses fingers and taps on wood). It's also the same motor that's in the Tacoma and I haven't heard any issues on TacomaWorld either.

 

It's somewhat common from 03-05, they changed them in 06. I want to say that 05 Tacomas with the 4.0 had the same issue although there were some reports of the 06s also.

 

its happened to enough people that its an issue and no coincidence, but not enough people have had it happen for toyota to do something about it. the HG was redesigned on later 4.0s and updated gaskets don't have the issue

 

I have 186k miles and I think my head gaskets are blown. Is it worth rebuilding the head or should I just get another motor 70k for 2500. If I do rebuild my head I'm hoping l would get atleast another 100k out of it or more. And is it common for the blown head gasket on the 4th gen 4.0L?

 

I just bought a 2004 from a coworker that has a blown head gasket on #6. I had called the Toyota recall 1-800 # with the VIN# to see if there was a recall and they said no. I ordered the parts and plan on replacing the gasket over the next few weeks. In this case, I 'think' that since the problem just developed and it never overheated, that I can fix it for under $1000. There are no other known problems with that engine that I am aware of - so I expect it go go another easy 100k miles. It has 164k now.

 

I parked behind a lady at the mall today who got out of a 2004 4R. I asked her if she has had any problems with it. She laughed and said she just got it back from the shop replacing the cylinder head gasket. She had 220k miles on it, and the dealer (Atlanta Toyota) charged her $1300 - which sounded like a good price.

 

$1300 is an absolute steal

 

you guessed it - 03 4Runner with the 4.0L. 108k miles and the #6 cylinder problem. Obviously 1000-1300 sounds way better that 3000. The Toyota Customer Care part of this? I called. Said I'm eligible for the floor mat fix but I was the first Gen 4 owner to report a head gasket problem.

My 03 has a 3" OME lift, 295/33" nittos, custom dual exhaust, k&n intake, LED headlight upgrade and hella fogs.

 

Gentlemen -

I am prepping to replace the head gasket on my 2004 4.0 V6 1GRFE and I would love to avoid removing the timing chain. I saw this pic from someone who posted it and noticed what looked to be a master link - see the 'yellow' circle. I would love to rotate this to the head that I am replacing, pop the link, open the chain and free the head. Do any of you know if this is possible or ill-advised? Thanks.

 

Do you have the factory service manual? I think it actually recommends doing that

 

The FSM says remove the engine, then oil pan, timing chain, then heads. The Haynes does it without removing the engine, but still removes the chain. I just wonder why someone hasn't tried it - is there some impediment?

 

I answered my own question. I rotated the crankshaft all the way around a few times and there was no master link (at least as far as I could tell).

 

I finally got the damned head off of my 2004 4Runner 4.0 1GRFE V6. That water bypass valve in the back next to the firewall almost killed me. Damn! that was a bitch. As soon as I pulled the right bank (2-4-6) head off I saw that the #6 cylinder had water in it. But I couldn't rationalize it from the head gasket. I put a Starrett straight edge on the head and tried over 40 points and couldn't slip a .003" feeler gauge under it at any point so it looks flat. I pray that it isn't a cracked head - so I ordered a dye-penetrant kit from Goodson.com after reading this (http://www.rotax-owner.com/pdf/spotcheck2.pdf). By the way, if you are planning on replacing the head gasket on your 1grfe, be sure to order the 10mm double-hex at a 3" length to get the head bolts off.

I would appreciate any comment or interpretation of the gasket.

 

Darn, I only got 365,000 out of mine before the head gasket blew. It actually was gone long before that. It still ran like a scalded dog though. But I was getting cold at the long stop lights and burning coolant. LOL $3,000 for a salvage engine - installed. It has not been that great. But I have put 40k on it already. I think they used my original starter which would have 404k+ on it. Something fried on it the other day. Dead in the driveway.

 

Tell me you sending the heads to a machine shop???????? Get them check and worked over while it is apart or you may very well pay in the end. Seen it to many times buddy.

 

a service writer at toyota told me that toyota highly recommends against machining the heads for some reason, apparently if they're warped to any extent they suggest brand new heads

 

Of course they do. What at like 2,000 a head. What the F ever on that BS. Unless you cook the hell out of it or the machine shop doesn't know what the hell they are doing I'm calling BS on that one. Now I do not know how tight the tolerances are but I'm sure they have a thousands or two in there to clean them up and make sure they are strait.

 

It's all just to get you to spend money

 

i had mine fixed last month with the same problem a blown head gasket, coolant drip & a warped right cylinder head. a local Toyota dealer did the job for me & truly it did cost me a fortune. they machined my warped head, also checked the left cylinder head & replaced both gaskets, replaced the water pump, new fluids, wiring, spark plugs & did compression test. well, i did notice this problem last year when the vsc, trac & check lights engine turn on. thought it was just a simple issue of a leak gas cap, but the lights kept on lighting even after resetting. good thing i have an extra car to drive and the 4runner was just stored in the garage close to 9 months. Now everything's works well and gone are the irritating dashboard lights. also, i had her tested on a 250 miles trip with no problem & she was running like a champ though right now it has 164,000+ miles.

 

I have this same problem on my 03, 258000 I bought her new. I would love to find someone local in central Florida that knows their s---. The left bank rear cylinder is the bad gasket leak, pumping water out the radiator. In my limited opinion I think it would be better to put a new engine in her instead of fixing the heads, this way you wouldn't have 258000 on the bottom end. What do you guys think? I just can't find anyone I can trust so I am looking for recommendations to do an engine swap.

 

If you want to see pictures of her go to "SAD DAY"

 

Starter. I'ver replaced 4 in my 2005 SR5.

 

This is correct

 

Toyota produces about 100,000 4runners each year. So, if there are 1000 HG issues every year, that would amount to less than .1%.

My 2005 HG on my V6 is fine. Doesn't leak/lose or burn oil or coolant. 145,000 miles

No drips.

Note: If I have a HG issue in the months ahead I think I would try Blue Devil before any of the others. I've heard some have gone three years and longer with BD - correcting the HG.

 

It appears my 2005 Tacoma V6 is a head gasket victim as well. Just curious if anyone has tried a coolant head gasket sealer (like Bar's Leak or K-Seal) with any success.

 

I had my 05 gaskets replaced 2 years ago , the Shop showed me where the gasket failure was . The heads were fine and not warped . the mechanics guess was faulty gaskets.

 

Your decimal is in the wrong place. 1,000 is 1% of 100,000.

 

My head-gasket just went out on my 2004 4Runner v6. Quoted $3900 to fix, I don’t think I’m keeping it bc that’s not worth it to me, that’s almost half of the value of the car and not knowing when and if something else would break after this large repair.

 

Ask around. $3900 is almost the cost of a new engine replacement.