Pani

Hi YotaTechers!

I just bought a 1994 4runner 3.0 with a blown HG. I know, crazy, right? But i called Toyota corporate and this vehicle hasn't had the V06 "recall" done and is eligible for it. I've been scouring the threads to make sure I know what to ask about but wanted to double check here.

I should ask them to:
-use new head bolts and replace knock sensor wire, which should be covered under the recall
- measure warpage and if it's more than 0.039 please replace long block, thanks

I should pay them to replace the timing belt and water pump and two idler pullies as long as they're in there.

Does this sound correct and complete?

Thanks for any input. Also, I took it to Toyota of El Cajon so if anyone has any experience getting the V06 done there, I'd love to hear about it.

Thanks!!

Pani

Also-
I've read on here of some people having this recall done in a few days and for others it took a few weeks. Is there any way to make sure it gets done in a shorter amount of time? I'm supposed to move in a couple of weeks and don't want to have to wait for the car. Thanks

MudHippy

It would also be a good time to have them adjust the valves. Replace the front main seal, camshaft seals, valve stem seals, valve cover gaskets, PCV valve & grommet, injector o-rings, oil fill cap seal, upper & lower intake manifold gaskets, exhaust manifold gaskets, EGR valve gasket, cold start injector gasket, distributor o-ring, and thermostat(especially if the thermostat isn't OEM still, which are far superior). Those are all relatively cheap, parts wise, and easily done while the head gaskets are being changed. And if you don't specify replacing them, even though most of those gaskets and seals would be included in a complete head gasket/upper engine gasket set, they will probably try re-using most of them(yes, even the stealership cuts corners, hence the name). BTW, Toyota recommends re-using the head bolts. Those and the knock sensor wire will definitely NOT be covered under the recall.

Junkers88

Done this before Mudhippy?

MudHippy

Twice, unfortunately. The first time was to replace the blown head gasket(s), the second to replace the pistons and rings(and just about every other thing too).

Pani

Thanks a ton for the advice and correction MudHippy! I feel much better when I'm armed with knowledge going in! Dang, I read that those head bolts are pricey too! Oh well, way better than paying 2000+ for the repair.

I stopped by the dealership to check in. They hadn't gotten to her yet so I should know more tomorrow. I'm glad that they didn't balk at all about doing the job, as I've read in other posts here. Will post updates as I know how things are turning out.

Thanks again!

Pani

Hiya. So the dealership called today to say that the cylinders are all washed out on this vehicle. They have a call in to Toyota to see where to go next. This makes me nervous! The way I understood the documents that I've seen, and other people's experiences, Toyota should cover parts repair or replacement for any damage that occurred because of the HG blowing. So they should fix this right? Maybe this is just SOP and I'm being a ninny, I was just worried that I was going to be left with this useless vehicle! I haven't seen any super recent posts about Toyota just replacing the engine, but guess that's what I should hope for. ** Crossing fingers for good news.**

MudHippy

I've read all the same stuff. And also that they "officially canceled the recall" in 2004. Leaving it up to the individual dealerships to get Toyota's permission before proceeding on any further honoring of the deal. So, hopefully they will. You just might end up with essentially a brand new engine.:fingerscrossed:

Pani

Dealership says that the corporate rep is willing to have the cylinder re-machined (guess there was only one that was rough). They told me it would probably use more oil but that this is a reasonable outcome. I don't know enough to know whether that's reasonable or not.

I'm more concerned at this point with the fact that the place that did my pre purchase inspection gave the truck a clean bill of health (minus some fluids that needed replacing) and the dealership found $3000+ (their prices) of things wrong with it. Lame!

Anyway, any thoughts on whether the cylinder machining is a fair offer?
Thanks.

Pani

Also, the dealer gave me a list of all the other seals and etc. that need to be replaced. Would it be okay if I listed the parts and what they want to replace them, and someone told me if it's reasonable? I would really appreciate it, since while I want to give this dealership the benefit of the doubt, I'm having a really hard time trusting them. I feel like I'm always getting screwed over when it comes to cars bc I lack this knowledge! This list is only the things I'm willing to let the dealer do; they gave me a much more exhaustive list of things that "need" to be fixed.

Water pump - 2 hrs labor- $150 parts
Thermostat - labor incl. with water pump- $35 parts
Timing belt - 1 hr labor - $65 parts
3 drive belts - no labor - $85 parts
Front crank seal - 0.5 hrs labor - $15 parts
Fuel pulsation dampener (told me I ran the risk of engine fire without this being replaced)- no labor - $165 parts
Oil cooler o-ring - 2hrs labor - $10 parts
Clean throttle body - 0.5 hrs labor
EGR sensor (they said it came apart when they went to take it off) - no labor - $240 parts

Thanks again for any help!!

Pani

Well, I agreed to the cylinder honing and $1500 worth of other stuff. Ouch! Horrible customer service experience, wanted to change dealerships after the head was removed but apparently could not be done. Not in any way happy with the outcome but glad to get some of these things repaired/replaced.

Thanks mudhippy for the advice. I couldn't get a straight answer about the other gaskets and seals in the head gasket kit- was told that I wasn't going to get anything for free from the dealership (as though I held out any hopes for that!). At this point I'm just going to have to trust that they're doing enough to keep me on the road for a while.

vmanaktala

I am a new member. When I bought my 94 4runner a couple weeks ago and soon after found out about v06, thanks to yotatech. My 4runner was not done so it is scheduled to go in to the dealer Monday. They told me I would pay for any worn out hoses, but that everything else should be covered. I have to be getting one of the last v06s done :}

So I should ask them to do this as well

"Replace the front main seal, camshaft seals, valve stem seals, valve cover gaskets, PCV valve & grommet, injector o-rings, oil fill cap seal, upper & lower intake manifold gaskets, exhaust manifold gaskets, EGR valve gasket, cold start injector gasket, distributor o-ring, and thermostat(especially if the thermostat isn't OEM still, which are far superior)." and the timing belt and water pump?


Sorry for the newbie post, and thank you to yotatech for the info about the v06

ToyoTech559

Depending on the dealer and how they go about it. The recent one that was done at my dealership. I found out Toyota is only paying for the head gasket replacement and a few seals. Anything else is on the customer. Toyota use to cover a lot more like valve adjustment and a new block if needed. But the recall has been out for so long that they said it is the customer fault for taking so long and that any adjustments or seals out are on the customer

vmanaktala

Thanks for the advise, My service writer has a 95 4runner with 300k and my mechanic has a 96, so I am hoping the will hook me up, as best they can. I am not afraid of having to pay for the extra stuff that need replacement as I seem to getting alot for free.. After all it is a 94, cant think of another company that would stand behind a 94 that i bought a couple weeks ago

ToyoTech559

Anything not covered but should or in need of replacing shouldn't be a problem as long as you pay for it.