8th Apr 2009, 00:45

95 4Runner head gasket blew out. Everything works great and one weakness. Guess the only thing that makes sense is to fix it myself. What is the best head gasket and parts to use to fix it? This site was helpful.

8th Apr 2009, 13:40

Add me to the list of blown head gasket 4 runners. Mine has 113000 miles on it all highway or 98% hgwy driving. Actually blew on the highway. Am I angry OH YEA! The fire retardent cover on hood caught fire due to the heat apparently. Now looking for a new head gasket or an engine. This was dad's car and immaculately taken care of, passed to me. I need it to run safe again.I have driven it 2000 miles in 2 years only in summer so this was quite the suprise.

Any news on a recall or if Toyota is going to supply some funds or assistance? I checked recalls and do not see anything.

10th Apr 2009, 02:05

I too have just blown my head gaskets on my 93 4runner. The good part about it is that it took 250,000 miles before it broke. Called a Toyota dealership and it qualified for the Replacement Recall. Guess that I was one of the lucky ones.

I am a mechanic and was going to replace the head gasket myself, and when ordering my headgasket from the company in Atlanta, they ran the VIN # to the 4runner he told me to just take it to Toyota. The new recalls are are for the 3VN29's, it covers an unlimited amount of miles. As long as it's the first head gasket job Toyota is doing. If information is needed, contact Toyota. They'll run your VIN# to see if you qualify.

20th May 2009, 20:06

My 95 runner is getting very hot... A/C is out of the question... I think I'm going to put on headers since it has only 115k miles on it, and should have lots of life left.. I don't want to wait until the gaskets blow...

22nd May 2009, 09:47

My 95 4-Runner blew in 2006 at 106K miles, so I replaced the engine with a previously owned engine (33K Miles). This engine has started overheating again.

Looks like a double whammy...

22nd May 2009, 23:08

Hello, my name is Ray, and I too have a 1995 4Runner with a blown head gasket. First time at 118,000, and now again at 129,000.

5th Jun 2009, 22:54

Joy, my 94 4runner made it to 174658 miles and poof blown "Head Gasket" :( Just thought I would add to the thread of sad Toyota owners.

29th Jun 2009, 16:17

I also have a 95 4 runner had valve problems. I had it rebuilt 80,000 miles ago and now has 190,000 and haven't had any problems since the dealer will fix blown head gaskets for free the first time, because they are recalled and there is a list of recalls for these 4 runners.

At one time my transmission wouldn't shift into overdrive. Found the problem to be the thermostat; the trans runs off temperature. Who would have thought that?

But overall my 4 runner is the best. I use it like a truck. I carry wood and all building materials in in. I once carried a whole skid of shingles left over from my home. She swatted a bit, but didn't slow her down.

When this one finally goes, after the wheels fall off, I will buy another because overall you can't beat them. I guarantee no Ford or Chevy would take the lickens my 4 runner has seen, and she has never left me sit, even when it was only running on 4 cylinders and in 2 feet of snow. So if you want a real man's truck, buy a Toyota, you won't regret that you did!!!

16th Aug 2009, 16:42

Add me to the list too.. '95 4Runner with 158k. production date May 1995. I'm 18 and headed to college, I can't afford this crap.

26th Aug 2009, 21:35

1995 4Runner Limited purchased in 1997 with 44k miles. It was a lease vehicle. Blown head gasket at 88k miles in 2001 I believe. Dealer took me for $2,000 to repair.

Although the same engine was used from 1990 to 1995, the recall does not apply to the 1995. Somehow they claim the problem ceased to exist in 1995. Not from the 1995 owner's perspective.

With 168k white smoke again. Toyota service says they'd love to get $4,500-$5,500 from me this time. A local honest mechanic gave me a number for an engine swapper that he predicts is about $2,000.

He also recommended that first I try K-Seal Head Gasket Repair. I poured it in the radiator and ran the engine for 30 minutes, even though it says 3-5 minutes at operating temp. From reviews I have read my problem may be behind me. I am considering parting with this vehicle in case it is a short term fix. If this works, or plan B where I get Bar's S-Leak and drain radiator - more work better results, I might be able to keep this vehicle.

The other option of a new 4.3 litre is attractive, given the engine is pretty gutless and the mileage is 12-14 MPGs.

How many 4Runners might be readily repaired with a $15 bottle of K-Seal?

UPDATE: April and almost 10k miles later and I passed smog with very clean results. Turned my neighbor onto K-Seal for his Toyota Steam Engine in a '96 Previa.

8th Sep 2009, 21:33

Same thing, 124,000 miles, great shape otherwise.. I was driving and it overheated; head gone.. gonna find out if it's covered under recall; doubt it.. Toyota sucks.

25th Sep 2009, 01:30

I just joined the club, bought 1995 Limited V6, overheated after 25 minutes of driving, paying close attention to what the previous owner says about the overheated problem, but before getting it to run, had to fix a water leak plug and rebuilt the starter, 400.00 more into it for a total of 2300.00.

Bad investment, wished I found this site before I bought it. Toyota sucks now.

4th Nov 2009, 04:26

I found this site today, So I will put in my 2 cents...

We purchased a 95 4runner V6 from a DR. friend with 112,xxx miles last year. Like NEW mint interior/exterior always serviced at Toyota.

19,000 miles later at 131,528 miles (blown head gasket)

I'm so grateful I have a mechanic friend who fixed it for me after spending $2000 on a complete rebuild.

We had both heads resurfaced at a machine shop and pressure tested. The engine block was also cut at .020" resurfaced both top and bottom of the engine block.

New pistons, rings, engine bearings, Rods, mains and thrust washers, oil pump ext. were put in place.

The crank shaft was also cut at .020".

New head gaskets, new head bolts, all timing components including timing tensioner, idler pulley, water pump, freeze plugs, seals, *all* rubber hoses and many more parts...

My friend recommended that we do this because he found that when the engine overheated it warped the head and the engine block slightly. (checked by simply setting a metal ruler over the engine block)

He tells me that part of the problem is that the engine exhaust 3 cylinders on each side of the engine dump their exhaust into a single exhaust manifold.

The passenger side exhaust is carried around to the drivers side with a crossover pipe, which causes high temperatures on that cylinder where they join and gasket burns up.

Finally connects to the exhaust pipe leading to the rear of truck.

He put in place a heat shield between the crossover pipe and manifold that will help keep the cyl head cool.

He told me we have to replace the exhaust manifolds with ones that will allow for dual exhaust.

1500 miles after rebuild, it drives like a dream!

I just hope I won't have to return to this site with bad news...