naward1996

So I hear that everybody downs 3.0s for the head gaskets... When I bought my truck, it had 207,000 on it. I had to replace the HGs around 210,000, but working in a professional shop, it wasn't even a hard job.. If the truck made it that far on crappy OE gaskets, why wouldn't it make it to 400,000 on a set of good ones? I'd replace them tomorrow if the truck needed it and it's a workhorse of a motor. Just wanting some opinions...

fdp101452

My 90 pickup has 191k on the original head gaskets, still going strong. If I lost a head gasket today I would just fix it. Ive always liked my 3vz and still do. The 4 cylinders have a lot of head gasket trouble to. Bi metal motors are like that. If you take care of your cooling system, as well as everything else, they will run a long time.

RJR

It would be interesting to know what actual percentage of various engines have had head gasket problems at 100K and 200K miles, etc. Keep in mind that auto companies like Toyota, who value their reputation, will typically do a recall or service campaign when a defect level hits 5% to 10% of the vehicle model in question. Turning that around, it's quite possible that 90% of 3vze's have never had a HG problem while running 150K to 200K miles. Your odds of no trouble actually could be pretty good.

As far as I can tell, Toyota has no record of ever doing the HG service on mine, nor is there an HG service bulletin outstanding. I bought it from the original owner (a doctor) and he had good service records with no mention of the HG. My conclusion is that it is running strong on the original at 206,000 miles. I couldn't be happier with how the engine runs.

Team420

on my 93, the hg's were done under recall by toyota at 70k... its got somewhere in the area of 350k on it now, and still starts, runs, drives just fine, although, its hella bagless compared to what it once was, which was already bagless, but hey... makes a decent trail rig...

Valvoman

My 1993 3.0 SR5 extended cab has 163,000 and the HG's were done by Toyota around 60,000. Still going....knock on wood.

Same Toyota OE alternator too.

elaketiger

The temperature on my 3.0 got rather warm today. Not into the red zone but close. Opened the hood and could hear what sounded like a steam leak, very slightly and quietly. When it cooled down I check the water level in the radiator and it was low, not visible. My skill set is not such that I couldn't take on this job. I replaced the knock sensor but that's about the extent of what I think I could do If this is a blown head gasket and possibly warped head how much should this repair cost at a professional shop?

donomite49

Run the vin numbers through Toyota, they will possibly still honor the recall on the 3.0

A friend of mine had his engine repaired under the head gasket recall recently.

elaketiger

My guess is that since this 3.0 has had a rebuild already done by the previous owner they would not. But I will look into it. Thanks.

elaketiger

Does anyone know if an engine has been rebuilt if that disqualifies that VIN for the head gasket recall? My guess is yes, but if Toyota doesn't hasn't processed this VIN for the recall, maybe it won't matter.

dbd6604

I'm not so convinced that these motors are as terrible as everyone lets on. It's just that you're more likely to go on the internet and complain because something bad happened, than you are to go on the internet to boast about your engine that has run reliably for years and years and years. I picked up a '95 4Runner with a bad HG and 223k miles for $700, got the heads worked and getting ready to put it back together soon. The motor is in great shape except for the HG issue, so I plan on driving it another 100k no probs. We'll see though

elaketiger

Does anyone know if an engine has been rebuilt if that disqualifies that VIN for the head gasket recall? My guess is yes, but if Toyota doesn't hasn't processed this VIN for the recall, maybe it won't matter.

donomite49

I'd try to get it covered.

Just don't say anything about the rebuild.

What's the worst they can say, no.

LJR

I never had the HG issue on my 1989 Toyota and 243k miles on it. This truck was kept in my family since 1995.

128keaton

HGs were done at 48k by my father (broke down on the highway, had to get towed home) and then again at 62k by Toyota. 154k later, going strong.

elaketiger

Recall solution a moot point now. Just found out from Toyota my VIN had the HG recall done in "99". So, now to find someone to do the work for the best price. One price given to me today is in the $1600 range. Said it will fluctuate based on how much machine work is necessary. Could be slightly less or up to $2k. What is the salvage value for a truck like this?

128keaton

Is it really a moot point? I though it was an engine flaw that was fixed, like a recall?

Janos01

The 3vz in general is NOT a bad engine and not all Toyota's with that engine have head gasket issues. A large majority do have HG issues as the material was originally made from Asbestos which was changed at the last minute by the Japanese and a lot of the engines that were made in the licensed factory's had a design flaw which is poor coolant flow to the back of the engine which is the main cause of HG failure near cylinder 6.

My HG blew in late January of this year and as a result, I had to do a complete rebuild. I also put headers on as some members said it will prolong or eliminate the HG issue for good.

donomite49

3.4 swap time.

Some people have done the swap for that or less.

AKHeathen

might be regional dealerships, but one thing i've seen with toyota is the recalls are so fe and far between they just do it unless you volunteer information that would stop them. after all, their main selling point is that you are making an investment in a vehicle that will last 2x as long as others...... and that's why they cost so much new. need i remind you that the 3.0 was a major abused workhorse motor for uhaul fleet because they just don't quit in the main scheme of things. i also join the 300k+ group with mine.... when all is said and done, the 22r/22re and 3.0 are built to outlast the body, and generally live up to it...... heck, i had an 84 22r with 450k still going strong and lost track of the mileage on my 3.0 after swapping displays and driving a few years with no spedo, but i know it's more than 300k.

Pocoyota

Hi fellas


Glad I found this thread ! I have a 1990 Toyota 4x4 pickup with the 3.0 litre motor. It has a little over 265,000 Kilometers on it. Never had the head gaskets done on it. I'm the second owner on it. I phoned Toyota Canada and they were not that helpful about if the recall was still in effect.
I live in Canada


#1 Should I try Toyota Canada again and ask to talk to someone superior anyone know who to talk to ?


#2 It's also leaking some oil from under the black rocker covers


#3 Toyota Canada did however tell me there was a recall on the running lights. Anyone know what the problem was with them ?


Thanks