Howdy folks....

Wanted to ask some opinions on the old head gasket.

I have a 95 Runner V6 3VZE, with 271,000 kms on it. The last time I had it at my mechanics.... an awesome bloke up in Orangeville, Ontario... said there may be a small chance my H/G is leaking. He thought he saw some dried up coolant around #6 cylinder. He told me to watch for all the signs that may occur and to bring it in if they happen.

Haven't had anything too odd yet except a bit of green residue underneathe/inside the oil filler cap. I run synthetic and was wondering if this is what synthetic does under the oil cap or if it may be coolant. I can't really see any coolant on the oil dipstick or oil in the coolant... it's nice and green. Can't see anything around the engine and it runs fine.

Anyone else have some good advice / experience with this?

I also emailed Toyota to see if my vehicle qualifies for the head gasket campaign. Not qualified.... sucks <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Thanks in advance.

When mine blew, it did so quickly, started miss, then to overheat and finally lots of sweet smelling white smoke out the exaust. Never and external leak in the engine compartment.

When my head gasket went the first thing I noticed was the water level in my overflow tank getting low I kept refilling it not thinking anything of it. Then it started missing and the sweet smell of anti-freeze in the exhaust. I never had oil in the coolant or coolant in the oil.

What email address did you contact Toyota with? What all did you mention to them?


I have 0 compression in my #1 cylinder and would like to see if I qualify for the headgasket recall.

Toyota did the compression test for me, dry test was 0psi and wet test was 0psi as well. That means its probably a burnt exhaust valve or leaking outside the cylinder head right? I'm currently tryin to decide whether to save up and put in a 3.4L or stick with a rebuilt 3.0L (89 Toy pickup, ext cab 4x4).

You can go to Toyota's website and find your regional center to send them your VIN.

I've got a friend who started delving into this mill a few years back; he's found the #1 to be oblonged. The other problem area is #4, #6 valves burning, due to the air restriction at the crossover. Headers usually help, should you opt to go with a rebuilt 3.0

Some thoughts.

If you think you might have a HG leak then you need to do a leakdown and compression test. A leak that allows coolant to go into the combustion chamber can be slow and hard to detect so you may not see any obvious signs.

Funny cause I finally tore my latest core appart and there was a blown HG story all played out for you. Basicly we tore the heads off and immediatly saw that the odd side had been replaced. On the short block you can see the stain from the coolant leaking into the chamber. When we took the bottom end appart we saw the full extent of the hidden damage. where the water leaked onto the piston it was cracked and broken etc. Obviously after they replaced the HG they didn't notice (I'm giving the benefit of the doubt there) the cracked piston. Thinking they had fixed the problem they drove it, and you can see that the rings and piston started to come appart. Leaving about a 15 thou gouge in the wall of the sleve. I'm sure the person driving the truck was driving it thinking, "doh I fixed it why won't it run right, stupid piece of junk 3.0 v6."

Two lessons here:

1. If you have a problem figure it out sooner rather then later.

2. Don't take the easy way out unless you like fixing things twice or losing you initial investment.

Thanks guys, i'll send in my VIN and see if i'm eligible. Knowing my luck though i'll be SOL! hehe

Thats ok, I can pick up a rebuilt engine with all OEM toyota parts for around $1700 (CAN) bones here in calgary and I have a friends stepdad to help me drop it in.

Thanks Gents.

I'll definitely do that test and prevent a severely kacked <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" /> engine and scary <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> bill for the repair. My wife would beat <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" /> me severely for $$$ wasted.

Good luck on Toyota Kidd, hope they cover your repair. Just out of curiousity, does anyone know why Toyota covers some 3VZE H/Gs and not others?

Cheers all.

I'm really confused with what Toyota is doing with these things of late. I heard from one service manager that they had opened up the recall to more vehicles now and that there was another "new" solution however I've not heard of anyone who actually had any luck with them so...

You're best bet is to call and ask, if no go then fix it yourself.

Obviously the problem is not just the HGs but likely a more systemic combination of small flaws the HG being only one. I think that Toyota has probably gone farther then a lot of companies would have with this though and its really up to us to fix the problem. If we can generate enough orgainzed effort then maybe the MLS HG will work. Combine that with a crossover deletion and we may just have a solid platform to build from. Those are just the theories of a guy with a dream though. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" />

I think another problem is the corrosive red anti freeze that Toyota puts in vehicles now. That stuff will cause you grief.

Hey Rauch, what part of Manitoba you from... I grew up in Teulon.