Head gasket issue on 2004 SR5

I’m still considering a v6 SR5 that I looked at lately. One of my concerns is the head gasket issue that so common on these engines. Is there any logic to the thought that if the vehicle has made it 200k miles without a problem with the head gasket (and the vehicle has been well maintained…should I worry about that issue? In other words, if it was defective or faulty, would it have happened by now?

 

Unfortunately not, there's no magic mileage that the head gasket issue happens, but most of them had a fair amount of miles before the gaskets failed, and then of course there are some that never have the issue.

Not sure of the percentage, BUT if it was really high I think Toyota would of had to do a major recall.

 

I’m looking at an 04 and a 07. The 07 is about 3k more than the 04…is piece of mind worth 3k? Lol…(probably). I like the 04 better though.

Would a pre purchase inspection help at all with the gasket issue? Are there any indicators whether or not it’s likely to happen?

 

Some believe not keeping coolant fresh can cause corrosion of head gaskets. Old coolant get acidic. Acid eats at metals in headgaskets.
So records showing regular coolant replacement can perhaps indicate a reliable head gasket. And no records or neglected coolant replacement would make head gasket suspect for failure.
Again, maintaining good maintenance, with records, can extend longevity of a runner.

 

Do they fail due to corrosion and deterioration? If that’s the case, it seems that maybe a visual inspection might help indicate what condition they’re in.

 

Toyota did a design change on the head gasket material, so engines made after the change date (like the '07) are statistically less prone to head gasket leaks. However, with the newest 4th gen still being 16 years old, there's no guarantee either. By engine design there are areas where the gasket material is narrow. Old coolant eating away at it over time causes leaks. This is not observable from the outside unless it's already happening.

Unless you're prepared to do a headgasket job or throw in a used engine, I would avoid the '04. I would avoid the '07 as well unless it has documented coolant replacement every 5-6 years or so. That is unless it's priced cheap and you're just looking for a winter beater to drive for a couple of years, in which case take a risk.

 

According to what I had read, the change to the head gasket happened in late 2005. And, 2006 models moving forward all had the new design, and are much less prone to issues.

 

You need to check the "build" date located on the VIN sticker on the driver's door jamb, a build date of 12/05 will have the new designed head gaskets, so some early 2006s will have the old design head gaskets.

 

That was true, but headgaskets degrade with time. According to The Car Care Nut, even early 5th gens (now 15 years old) with the revised 4.0L are seeing increased numbers of blown head gaskets. Look for documented coolant changes if you intend to keep the vehicle for a while.