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Head gasket. 2004 Toyota 4Runner

Discussion in '4th Gen 4Runners (2003-2009)' started by im.new.here, Sep 6, 2020.

  1. Sep 6, 2020 at 2:08 PM
    #1
    im.new.here

    im.new.here [OP] New Member

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    Hi! I just recently bought a used 2004 4Runner in need of a head gasket replacement and was quoted $2500. I need advice. I am not educated in cars. Someone please pass along their knowledge in what I should do. I looked up how much it is to replace the whole engine and noticed it wasn’t too far off the price of a head gasket repair. What is the better option? I want this car to last me as long as possible. It currently has 230,000 miles. The check engine light is on as well.
     
  2. Sep 6, 2020 at 2:37 PM
    #2
    captsolo

    captsolo New Member

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    nassau bahamas
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    Good question. I'd like to know if anyone has the answer. I have a 2005 V6 4runner with 150,000 miles and runs like new. I am the OEM owner. Only things that have failed on my 15 year old runner is the OEM starter and three other replacement starters. They (starters) last on average of 4 years for me.

    OEM water pump, radiator and alternator/regulator still performing their jobs.

    If the body of your 4runner is rust free, I might look for a hit/junk yarder replacement motor with under 89,000 miles. Trouble is, how do you know it ran right before its accident.

    I prefer the V6. The body on my 4runner is perfect. No rust anywhere peeping out from the paint. The underbody has superficial rust, but no structural issues caused by rust. I owned a GMC Jimmy from new and after ten years she had rust everywhere and I sold it for $800. Ran well.

    My 4runner was built in Japan The Japanese build such excellent autos. American manufacturers won't make/build cars in the USA any longer, I'm told??? I've read of 4runners with 400,000 miles.
     
    Last edited: Sep 6, 2020
  3. Sep 6, 2020 at 4:24 PM
    #3
    surfrunners

    surfrunners New Member

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    ingemar
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    lifted
    that $2500 head gasket repair quote is not that bad than taking your truck to the dealer where for sure they will charge you more. Unfortunately, I had mine fixed in a toyota dealer and it cost me for $4K. They did fix the left & right head gasket, replaced the water pump and all spark plugs. It has been 4 years since the repair and 40K miles of daily driving & it didn't give me any problem at all. A friend had the same issue but he had it fix and is close to 300k miles now. For reference, mine is a 2005 sports edition V6 4WD with 195K miles.
     
  4. Sep 20, 2020 at 11:39 AM
    #4
    TheRigbyUnit

    TheRigbyUnit New Member

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    2009 Engine Swap, OME lift, Relentless Fab Hybrid front bumper
    I have an 05 V6 and the 6th cylinder head gasket went out at 206k. I believe it is a known problem with the gaskets, a defect, on some 04/05s. I love my truck and everything else works great.
    I got a similar quote as you for fixing it, which was outside my price range. We ended up going to a junkyard in a big city and getting the motor out of an 09 with 97k for $1100. Luckily my husband has a mechanic friend who installed it for us on his own time for $500. Worth it to me because I’m hoping to take the truck to 300k+ and I didn’t know what damage the block may have sustained while I drove around with the leak (it took me a long time to take it to the shop.)
    15k miles since the swap and everything is good so far.
     
    CanmoreJim likes this.
  5. Oct 2, 2020 at 9:20 PM
    #5
    Londonrain

    Londonrain Trigger

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    Demello Bumper Original Version Demello Rock Sliders (Not produced anymore) Baja Designs Fog lights Baja Designs Ditch lights KC lights turn signals Onboard ARB Compressor Rough Country-Black Series Cree 30" Light bar with DRL Rago Fabrication mounting hardware CB/Ham Radio with PA system Big Bad Max air horn Spec D headlights Runner lights on sides of bumper 3 light set up center grill JBA upper control arms Icon Stage 2 lift kit (with icon socks) front and back Body Mount Chop (BMC) Fender Liner
    We just had ours done. Private mechanic for 2300 in so cal. Got tons of other parts replaced while we were at it.

    We researched for 7 months before we decided to just do it.


    After looking at engines we decided a few things.

    1. No guarantee the used replacement engine wouldn’t be bad or fail without a rebuild.

    2. The cost of replacing the engine ended up coming out more than repairing what we had.

    3. Once it was done it now runs amazing and we know exactly the condition of everything under the hood.
     
    captsolo likes this.
  6. Nov 14, 2022 at 7:57 PM
    #6
    CanmoreJim

    CanmoreJim New Member

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    I also have a 2005 4Runner with what looks like a blown head gasket. Could THE RIGBY UNIT please tell me how your mechanic made the 2009 engine compatible with your 2005 Toyota truck? And, LONDONRAIN, did you just replace the head gaskets (and do other needed work) on the original engine in your 4Runner? THANKS MUCH, jim
     
  7. Apr 27, 2023 at 3:09 PM
    #7
    Woland7

    Woland7 New Member

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    I have a 2004 SR5 with 290,000 miles. It just developed head gasket leak. Still runs fine, does not overheat, no codes. So I am facing the same dilemma. If the cost of engine is comparable to hg replacement, I will go with the engine simply because I know from many years of experience with all kinds of repair shops than no repair goes unpunished. Especially when is done by somebody else.
     
  8. Apr 27, 2023 at 3:11 PM
    #8
    Woland7

    Woland7 New Member

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    Mine needs a head gasket @290,000 miles. Obviously, you've never driven a ford, gm, or chrysler if you consider this a "known problem".
     
  9. Apr 29, 2023 at 4:14 PM
    #9
    Startrek

    Startrek New Member

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    whatever "was quoted $2500" is just a trap to lure you into shop, final price will be much higher, that's why this almost 20 year old truck was sold to someone not educated in cars. DIY or pay.
     
  10. Apr 30, 2023 at 9:09 AM
    #10
    Woland7

    Woland7 New Member

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    You are correct - auto repair business is generally a scam but not all [potential] victims are "someone not educated in cars.". In my case, however, I've owned the truck since birth and got my first ASE certificate in 1991 but the truck is 1,000 mi away so I cannot do the work myself and am looking for other solution. Obviously, "professional service" is not an option - they quoted $2,500 over the phone but when I requested a confirmation email, somehow jacked the number to $4,000-6,000;.
     
  11. Apr 30, 2023 at 9:18 AM
    #11
    gkomo

    gkomo New Member

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    Damn, $4-6k for a head gasket repair?
     
  12. Apr 30, 2023 at 11:16 AM
    #12
    Woland7

    Woland7 New Member

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    Moreover, they demanded the VIN to "quote more accurately". I'm still confused - make/model/year/engine code should be perfectly sufficient. Apparently, they are in data mining business as well. I gave them the VIN with two bogus last digits just like I do to all (indian and otherwise) scammers.
    I feel sorry for all those who cannot fix their cars, replace a leaking pipe, a sink, or a faucet. These people are perpetual victims of today's "business" environment.
     

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