29th Oct 2002, 00:02

I have loved my 4 Runner, though like you, my head gasket blew at 75,000 miles and now again at 150,000. Did you end up paying for the second engine damage? If these models have head gasket problems, shouldn't Toyota be responsible?

30th Oct 2002, 14:36

My 4runner did the same thing... I agree, should Toyota be responsible? After replacing the engine at 120,000 (now has 140) we have an oil leak coming from the engine. Any suggestion, comments?

31st Oct 2002, 21:55

Toyota will not pay for the head gasket repairs. I foot the bill and had a one-year warranty from the dealership that did the work. I still would like to know why their head gaskets are failing pre-maturely. They just won't tell me and I am convinced that their fix doesn't work very well. Guess I'll get rid of it before the engine gets 25K miles on it.

30th Nov 2002, 16:36

I had a re-built engine placed into my 1993 Toyota 4-Runner at 111,000 miles two years. I am again having trouble which appears to be another head gasket problem at 142,000 miles (the vehicle had to be towed this afternoon).

I believe Toyota should have figured out why the consumer has experienced so many problems with these head gaskets. I purchased this vehicle four years ago from a dealership. When I experienced problems two years ago I also found out that the head gaskets were replaced when they were recalled before I purchased it, so if I do need to replace the head gaskets this will be the third time which is crazy!

13th Dec 2002, 08:17

I have taken excellent care of my 4-Runner and still have the head gasket problem. The issue is with a faulty head gasket design, the details of which Toyota will not share with customers, not the care taken with the vehicle. Good luck to all you '94 owners.

17th Jan 2003, 22:55

I have a 1994 4Runner with a head gasket problem, too. I blew the first engine at 35,000 miles. The engine was covered under the warranty.

About a year ago I replaced the transmission for about $3,500. Wear and tear?

A few weeks ago the car was over heating. Guess what? My mechanic told me that it was the head gasket leaking. I change my oil regularly, and have my mechanic check over while he is at it. I also replaced a leaking radiator three years ago. I have maintained the vehicle.

I called the Toyota dealership where I bought the car, and they told me that my car had been "updated". I was not eligible for the car to be repaired at Toyota's expense. I called the Customer Assistance number, and got the same response. I thought that I was buying a reliable car. Boy was I wrong.

I am notifying Toyota, in writing, of my displeasure. I encourage you to do the same.

2nd Feb 2003, 22:07

I have a 94 4-Runner with 165,000 miles. I had the head gasket replaced per Toyota recommendation at about 75k. I thought this would ensure trouble free operation. I was just stranded due to a blown gasket which I am afraid caused major engine damage. Based on the other comments, it appears I may have to pay for this! I have maintained this vehicle without fail. The miles are nearly all highway and felt I would surely be a candidate for one of those Toyota success commercials. Also note that this problem is not isolated to V6 engines. I had an 85 pickup with the 22RE engine. I replaced the head gasket twice and know that it has been replaced twice more by the current owner. Why can't Toyota resolve this problem with a permanent and reliable solution?

20th Feb 2003, 09:34

I have a 1991 4Runner V6 with 115,000 miles on it and I've never done the "Head Gasket Recall". Runs great, has a bit of a "tic tic" exhaust leak, but otherwise this has been a fantastic trouble free truck. This is my third 4WD Toyota truck and I've never had a major problem, only minor ones like battery, alternator, water pump, etc...

25th Feb 2003, 19:23

I had my 4runner recalled last September at 168K miles for the gasket check. Gasket was replaced, no charge, the car runs great as always. I never had problems other than esthetic ones with my Toyota (some plastic broke inside) and I had drive it already for 60.000 miles. Yes it's low power, yes it uses some gas, but I have never driven a more solid and reliable car.

26th Feb 2003, 08:01

I have a '94 4Runner and have replaced the head gaskets twice at Toyota's expense, and once at my own expense (the latter was due to a burned valve at about 220,000 miles). I have maintained it regularly and it has never burned a drop of oil.

On the other hand, after having both heads reworked it now leaks oil like a sieve (1 quart every 1,000 miles). Has anyone encountered anything like this?

31st Mar 2003, 15:19

When I bought my 91 Four Runner I thought I was buying a robust reliable car. At 48,000 miles the head gasket blew which Toyota fixed at their cost. At 60,000 miles the torque converter failed and I paid to replace that. At 108,000 miles the rest of the transmission failed and I paid to have that rebuilt, the torque converter was OK. Now at 114,000 miles the head gasket has again failed. Anyone want to buy a car?

25th Apr 2003, 00:19

I was wanting to know if anyone know's where to check to see if my 1991 4Runner has had it's head-gaskets replace after the recall. Where can I check? Please help.

16th May 2003, 13:05

I have a 95' 4-runner (2nd generation) with the 3.0L V6 that I love. Just keep up the preventative maintenance as outlined in the owner's manual and it will run forever (well not forever, but hundreds of thousands of miles anyway). As for the head gasket, run your VIN number through the local dealer and they will let you know whether or not this service was done. Toyota only covers the first replacement.

24th May 2003, 22:51

I wrote the original "head gasket" article. Just curious how many other problems there were out there. Got rid of my 4-runner months ago before I had to replace the head gasket again! I like my Nissans - real road warriors and my 4cyl outperforms the '94 4-runners V-6. Bye Toyota and good luck to all you owners. Use caution - sooner or later those head gaskets will get you...

13th Jul 2003, 16:13

Wow. I love my 4Runner. it's a 1993 4x4 V6 SR5, all the goodies and whatnot. However, I can't seem to keep it running consistently. About a year ago, I noticed its power had waned quite a bit. I took it into a shop where they said that one of the pistons was only pushing 30%. Hmmm, at that point I bought a re-manufactured engine from a company here in San Antonio. After a bunch of BS, sensors and everything, myself and my girlfriend's brother had it in the truck. (About $4000 later) Excellent!! I drove it for about 3 months while it developed an oil leak. This was probably our fault, though I don't recall having any extra gaskets! Due to this leak, I have probably blown out one of the rod bearings. Now it sits at Alamo Toyota (a dealer), while I am making the decision to spend $5400 to have them replace it yet again... AARGH!!! If anyone has any advice for me, please e-mail me at marchac@hotmail.com.