1st Dec 2005, 16:44

Add me to the long list of soon to be blown head gasket victims. I have owned my 1995 since it was new and love the car, but when I took it in for service my mechanic informed me my head gasket is leaking into the #6 cylinder and could blow any time. Nice guy even gave me the spark plug with the flaky white deposits on it from burning up coolant.

21st Jan 2006, 23:43

Kinda sad to read all of these. I have a '95 4Runner SR5 and I too have blown a head gasket which also resulted in a messed up radiator. Wish I had done the research before I bought. I love the truck, but I am afraid the same thing is starting to happen again, getting the same warning signs(i.e. loss in power, rough idling, etc.) and don't want to spent another $2000 to fix. If a class action gets started on this, count me in.

Base84@aol.com

19th Feb 2006, 01:02

Add another dissatisfied 1995 4 Runner owner to the list! My 4 Runner has 145,000 on it, maintained by an ASE certified mechanic, but still blew the head gaskets. The first problem that was noticed was a tendency to push the water into the overflow bottle. Replaced thermostat and radiator cap, but the problem persisted. Next problem was with water coming out of exhaust and also around the rear of the block. I had owned an 1987 Supra with the 7MGE engine, and should have learned a lesson with this car, as they also have head gasket problems, with Toyota denying that there was a problem also. I will join any class action suit that anyone wants to start. My email is micmech@msn.com.

4th Mar 2006, 23:50

I also own a 1995 Toyota 4runner. Going down the highway one day and it was overheating. Checked the fluid everything was OK. Got up the next morning and started the 4runner and white smoke and radiator fluid were poring out my tailpipe. Most mechanics were saying it would cost $1000 before they could even find out what was wrong. Radiator was changed, fuel pump, both heads replaced. Ran well for one day then then felt like it lost power. Got a pressure test and #6 cylinder had very little pressure. I got used heads so now I am looking for a short block unless Toyota will determine this is a too common event. Even though it has 189,000 miles, Toyota is supposed to be the "never die" vehicle. I will definitely call Toyota after reading the previous emails.

10th Apr 2006, 21:50

95 4Runner lmtd 120,000 miles and have been adding fluid for several months. White smoke recently coming out on start up. I guess I'm in the same boat. Dang.

13th Apr 2006, 10:10

April 13th 1996

Well, just like so many people like you, I just purchased a 1995 4runner with 143k miles and few day later "check engine" light came on, after having a diagnosis code "25" my mechanic said... guess what? low pressure on #6 piston, now what?

I saved all this money to buy this truck, for nothing I read about all you having problems with this type of engine V-6 I'm totally disappointed.

16th Apr 2006, 02:10

Another one for the books, this time from Canada: 95 4runner, 170000 km (105000 miles), blown head gasket. Normally dealer maintained, but had head gasket repair done by local mechanic with great reputation. He said he's seen a few of these. $2800.

17th Apr 2006, 02:41

Wow! How fortunate I am to have stumbled onto this page! Yet another victim of the head gasket. Took it in for 83k service, and was told that the gasket is going and could be a matter of days or months. As with everyone else, I have been a loyal Toyota customer for the past 20 years, but will never go that route again. Toyota service didn't even have the courtesy to tell me this has been an issue, I heard it second hand from some co-workers with old 4-Runners.

Powsco@aol.com.

1st May 2006, 08:22

Please add me to your list of dissatisfied customers. I have a 96 Toyota 4Runner with the same problem, blown head gasket. From what I understand this is a recalled part that has already been replaced by the previous owner. I have a 119k miles, and unfortunately the dealer will not honor replacing it again. Obviously this is an ongoing problem that needs to be acknowledge and honored as the dealer's responsibility to replace. If there is an ongoing class action law suit, please contact me at lexcoop5@cox.net.

21st May 2006, 11:09

Yes, please contact me if Toyota steps up to this problem at all. I also have a 95 4 runner. It started to overheat about 2 years ago at 139,000 miles. We replaced the fan motor, fuses, fan clutch, and the thermostat. It continued to overheat, we took it to the dealer and they said the heat gasket was fine. Then white steam started to pour out, and it stopped running. We towed it to the shop and they said my head gasket was blown. So we paid 3,000 dollars to fix everything in the cooling system. We got everything replaced, water pump, thermostat again, hoses, timing chain, etc. Now it is overheating again. What is going on!! I am so upset, this car will not stop overheating. What should I do. rochelle1819@hotmail.com.

30th May 2006, 15:29

I loved my '95 4Runner, but blew the head gasket in April (156K miles.) and was told my engine model was not covered by the recall. The coolant & water had been leaking for years, but no one could (would?) tell me the problem. Bought a 2006 4Runner as a replacement. After reading this website, I feel like I've made a grave mistake by buying the new model.

2nd Jun 2006, 16:13

I've owned Toyota's all my life and my 95 4Runner is having the same problem, and low and behold, my VIN isn't on the list of recalls. $2800 into a $5000 car is kind of stretching it isn't it?

5th Jun 2006, 04:31

Same problem.. 105k miles, very well maintained and my head gasket will eventually blow. It hasn't and so I stopped driving the car. I'm not entirely sure what my options are. The dealer told me to check the Recycler publication which has new engines in the back for about $2k + labor. I hope that's the case. If anyone has any advice, I'd appreciate it.. vora@cox.net.

26 and can't really afford $3k+ but can't afford a new car either, so any advice would be helpful.

7th Jun 2006, 21:38

My 99 4runner started leaking water from the engine seals, took it to the mechanic not 2 weeks ago. They replaced the seals, water pump, timing belt, thermostat. Truck worked OK for 2 weeks and now it seems that it blew the head gasket. I am not sure, but the description of the problem by other people seems to point to that. I was driving down the freeway and all of the sudden started to overheat, I stopped and looked thinking that it might be leaking water again, but there was no sign of water leaking anywhere. The mechanic thinks that the rust took care of the water pump, the seals and know the head gasket and he explained I will probably have to replace the radiator as well. Anybody has had this problem with the 99 model?