95 4 Runner Head Gasket Concern

[chemosy]

Hey Guys New to the forum , Anyway, i just bought a 5sp 4x4 v6 120k one owner lady clean carfax 4 runner. The car is in decent shep.My concern is every wher online i see scary information about 95 4 runner head gasjet issues. I called Toyota and they told me mine was not under the recall so i should not worry. My question is should i be concerned when driving should i sell my nice 4 runner, any way to prevent it from happening , any tips ideas suggestions etc.

[91 funrunner]

Is there any oil in the engine compartment? if it ain't leaking then don't sweat it.It's not like it's gonna just blow out ,it's usually a gradual thing

[chemosy]

NO the car is in Perfect driving shape verything works NO rust really nice garage kept oil seviced by Toyota dealership since bought, Vehicle serviced,Battery replaced, Steering/suspension lubed,Drive belts replaced
Fuel filter replaced all at right mileage. Engine is really clean, Im just concerned.

[91 funrunner]

don't be. sounds to me like you got yourself a good car.Toyota maintained is a good sign its in tip top shape

[alde]

They solved the head gasket problem by 1995. Enjoy the 4-Runner.

[rdlx]

I wish I could agree with the other people but we had the head gasket blow on our '95 4Runner (2WD - V6) and the VIN was outside the recall bulletin numbers which was too bad 'cause Toyota would have footed the bill if it were within the list. Cost us just over $3000! And by the way, my wife is absolutely anal about maintenence on her "baby"

[Huffa]

Originally Posted by alde

They solved the head gasket problem by 1995. Enjoy the 4-Runner.

That problem has been going on since 89 or 90 right up to 97 or so!!!!!!!!!!!! Even some of the 3.4's had it!!!

It is NOT, NOT, NOT SOLVED!!!!!

I had mine changed when it was timing belt time on my 94 at about 65,000. It was one that had the bulletin.

At 120,000 it went and cost me 3000.00 at Toyota to fix!!! They would not fork over a penny after the so called updated one was installed.

A hint to the problem was a slight gurgeling of water I would hear sort of behind the glove compartment. Also the water level was a hair low. If I would have realized what was happening it would have cost a lot less but the whole motor had to be rebuilt including 2 pistons that got chunked.

Don't let anyone tell you that it won't ever happen!! It might, it might not?

Other then that (a BIG that $$ wise) the Toyta has held up great.

OOOPS - on my 3rd radiator at 137,000........weird!! Always gets little pin holes in the top part so watch out for that too and yes I change the fluid regular. I have a lifetime job now so any more problems and I'm covered supposedly. I swear they get them from a different supplier then they used too. Stock Toyota ones are garbage (the ones I got anyway).

YO Chemosy

What color you got?

I got the light blue- silver one. I think that body style is classic...don't you?
I think the new ones blow !!!! I thought maybe in time the look would grow on me but after a year now they still suck to look at.
No wonder I only saw about 4-5 in a year !

What you do have going for you is the 5 speed. That motor I'm sure works a bit better then my auto. With only 150 horses and 180 torque you can't expect too much out of them. I should have gotten a 5 speeder but I'm used to the doggieness (woof, woof) of it now. You have to drive it with the attitude...... "Whats the hurry?" then your fine.

MPG's on mine is 15.5 - 16.3 and on a trip up around 20-21 tops.

A few other things to look out 4 and if your interested I'll clue you in. Tired of typing.

C-YA

-Huffa

[Brian R.]

No such thing as a life-time radiator. It is a sales pitch. There are so many ways of blaming you, it isn't even comical

At least I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for a free replacement...)

[Huffa]

I catch what you are saying (free radiator??) for sure but here is how the story goes exactly.

#1 stock radiator went in about 4 years. Pin holes on top.

Got an aftermarket (#2) replacement. I installed it.

Aftermarket (#2) got pinholes again in less then 12 months!
#3 was FREE REPLACEMENT!!!! They didn't even bother to come out and look at it! They ordered the new one, I went home and took #2 off and exchanged it for #3.....NO CHARGE.

#3 just last year got kablueied from hitting a deer.
Body shop told me if EVER it (#4) develops leaks it will be replaced for free.

With 2 in a row with pin holes it's almost a gaurentee this one will do it too.

Body shop said (so they say) the top of this one is constructed far supierior to the one I had and the one I had was very close to the stock one.

We shall see if it lasts and it's free again! Time will tell.

[Brian R.]

Sounds good. I have heard horror stories about supposedly lifetime-guaranteed radiators that weren't. Glad you found one.

Where did you buy it from?

[Huffa]

Well Brian, the "lifetime" one from the body shop I don't know what brand it is. I looked on it and of course can't find any label.

The 2nd one I got from carquest and don't remember what brand it was. I think that just had a 12 month warranty. I was very lucky as it happened in 11 months I think.

If your really curious about the lifetimer job I can easily call the shop and ask and while I'm on the phone I can ask them again about this so called lifetime warranty.

Now that I think of it the 3rd one had small holes in it too before it was hit so thats 3 for 3! So I'm on my 4 th radiator and only paid for one!

[Brian R.]

I bought a lifetime warranty battery from JCPenny many years ago. It was guaranteed for the life of the car. Pennys honored the warranty for 4 batteries and then told me - no more. I kept that car for a long time (a 454 Chevelle) and they lost alot of money on that deal, and with alot of others also. It was a really strong battery too, just the cars were getting kept longer and longer.

No thanks. I don't need a radiator, but there are those who would appreciate the information on this site.

[wabbit81]

Originally Posted by alde

They solved the head gasket problem by 1995. Enjoy the 4-Runner.

I had to have my '95 4runner head gasket replaced, fortunatly it happened right after I bought it, I had also purchased the ext. warrenty, so it was all covered. lucky me...