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4.0L V6 Blown Head Gasket

Discussion in '4th Gen 4Runners (2003-2009)' started by cobra0622, Feb 12, 2016.

  1. Feb 12, 2016 at 6:40 AM
    #1
    cobra0622

    cobra0622 [OP] New Member

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    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.
     
    harrisy and 4takbo like this.
  2. Feb 12, 2016 at 7:01 AM
    #2
    RonT4R

    RonT4R New Member

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    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.:notsure:
     
  3. Feb 12, 2016 at 10:51 AM
    #3
    drunner

    drunner New Member

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    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.
     
  4. Feb 12, 2016 at 10:56 AM
    #4
    wnelax04sr5

    wnelax04sr5 New Member

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    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
     
  5. Jun 1, 2016 at 9:37 PM
    #5
    Monkeybon3z

    Monkeybon3z New Member

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    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?
     
  6. Jun 16, 2016 at 10:31 AM
    #6
    Jbriggsnh

    Jbriggsnh New Member

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    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.
     
    K-Paul likes this.
  7. Jun 16, 2016 at 10:34 AM
    #7
    Jbriggsnh

    Jbriggsnh New Member

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    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.
     
    BionicRandy, K-Paul, Libagui and 2 others like this.
  8. Jun 18, 2016 at 7:14 AM
    #8
    wnelax04sr5

    wnelax04sr5 New Member

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    $1300 is an absolute steal
     
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  9. Jun 21, 2016 at 8:53 AM
    #9
    hedgehog64

    hedgehog64 New Member

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    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.
     
  10. Jun 22, 2016 at 4:49 PM
    #10
    Jbriggsnh

    Jbriggsnh New Member

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    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.

    masterlink.jpg
     
  11. Jun 22, 2016 at 5:02 PM
    #11
    wnelax04sr5

    wnelax04sr5 New Member

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    Do you have the factory service manual? I think it actually recommends doing that
     
  12. Jun 22, 2016 at 5:51 PM
    #12
    Jbriggsnh

    Jbriggsnh New Member

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    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?

    IMG_20160622_204824.jpg
     
  13. Jun 27, 2016 at 6:33 AM
    #13
    Jbriggsnh

    Jbriggsnh New Member

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    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).
     
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  14. Jul 6, 2016 at 6:08 PM
    #14
    Jbriggsnh

    Jbriggsnh New Member

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    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.
    IMG_20160706_190245.jpg

    IMG_20160706_190239.jpg
    IMG_20160706_190229.jpg
    IMG_20160706_190224.jpg
    IMG_20160706_190019.jpg
    IMG_20160706_181733.jpg
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    IMG_20160706_181211.jpg
    IMG_20160706_181207.jpg
    IMG_20160706_181202.jpg
     
  15. Sep 17, 2016 at 11:57 AM
    #15
    filamb1

    filamb1 New Member

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    2004 SR5 4WD 404,000+ miles replaced engine with a salvage at 365,000 - blow head 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. :boom:
     
  16. Sep 17, 2016 at 1:40 PM
    #16
    Ol'Blue

    Ol'Blue New Member

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    A few things here and there. Still dreaming up stuff
    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.
     
  17. Sep 20, 2016 at 5:50 PM
    #17
    wnelax04sr5

    wnelax04sr5 New Member

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    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
     
  18. Sep 20, 2016 at 6:06 PM
    #18
    Ol'Blue

    Ol'Blue New Member

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    A few things here and there. Still dreaming up stuff
    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.
     
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  19. Sep 21, 2016 at 5:18 PM
    #19
    wnelax04sr5

    wnelax04sr5 New Member

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    It's all just to get you to spend money
     
  20. Sep 27, 2016 at 3:43 PM
    #20
    surfrunners

    surfrunners New Member

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    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.
     
  21. Nov 21, 2016 at 6:29 PM
    #21
    Day5fishing

    Day5fishing New Member

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    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.
     
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  22. Nov 21, 2016 at 6:30 PM
    #22
    Day5fishing

    Day5fishing New Member

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    If you want to see pictures of her go to "SAD DAY"
     
  23. Sep 14, 2019 at 5:33 AM
    #23
    captsolo

    captsolo New Member

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    Starter. I'ver replaced 4 in my 2005 SR5.
     
    Last edited: Sep 16, 2019
  24. Sep 16, 2019 at 10:01 AM
    #24
    2016Pro

    2016Pro Why all of the Pro hate?

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    This is correct
     
  25. Sep 16, 2019 at 10:18 AM
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    captsolo

    captsolo New Member

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    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.
     
    Last edited: Mar 8, 2020
  26. Mar 7, 2020 at 7:05 AM
    #26
    Cayman

    Cayman New Member

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    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.
     
  27. Mar 28, 2020 at 4:36 PM
    #27
    FFloresjr775

    FFloresjr775 New Member

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    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.
     
  28. Mar 28, 2020 at 5:36 PM
    #28
    Dougie

    Dougie New Member

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    Your decimal is in the wrong place. 1,000 is 1% of 100,000.
     
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  29. Oct 13, 2021 at 3:14 PM
    #29
    chrissyrenaeexo

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    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.
     
  30. Oct 14, 2021 at 8:32 PM
    #30
    negusm

    negusm New Member

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