jertapper

i'm trying to decipher whether the 1995 4 runner engine is reliable or not. I came upon some reviews at

http://www.carsurvey.org/model_Toyota_4Runner.html

that cast it in an unfavourable light. especially concerning the head gasket. basically i'm sifting through all this and trying to figure out whether this is an engine to stay away from or not and from reading posts here it looks like a lot of knowledgeable folks.

thanks for any light you can shed on this subject

jimbo74

they do have head gasket problems, however once they are rebuilt, they are fine once properly maintained.....

richeyma

Hello jertapper, welcome to the forum.

The 3.0 (often referred to as the 3.slow) is a solid engine although it doesn't have the hp to win any drag races. There was a problem with the head gaskets on the engines and Toyota had a recall on them. Most engines by now should have had the gaskets replaced, but it's something you could check if you're unsure. I've owned my 91 since it was new and I had the gaskets replaced at about 62K because of failure--this was before the recall, but I was able to get the service performed at no charge. (The recall came out about 6 months later). After 182K miles, I haven't had any problems.

There are several folks on Yotatech that have the 3.0 with many more miles than mine, and I'm sure they'll agree with what I said. Again, the only complaint is that it is slow.

Of course, a poorly maintained engine could cause you a lot of problems, but with a little due diligence, I'm sure you could find a 4Runner that'll last you several years--mine has and I'm not planning on parting with it any time soon.

Matt

ChickenLover

Yep, you WILL have issues with the head gasket sooner or later. The 3.0L that comes in the 95 is notoriously underpowered. It is not an easy engine to work on. The 3.4L engine that came in 3rd gen runners (96-02) is a much better engine in every aspect. Let's not even talk about the fact that the 3.4 has an available super charger. Even though I prefer the 2nd gen (90-95) body style, if I had it to do all over I probably would have went with a 3rd gen.

The 3.0 is not hopeless. I like to brag that mine is as fast as a stock 3rd gen , but look at all the money I've put into it. I could have a SC'd 3rd gen for the amount of $ I've put into my 3.0. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate my 3.0. Unless you are content with the low hp output or are willing to put a lot of time and money into your 3.0, I would go with a 96+. But that's just my .02

dragon564

IMHO I would buy one in a heart beat.....of course I can do the Head gasket change by myself so the cost for that repair does not become a factor. Yes the 3vz engine that comes standard in the SR5 does have a head gasket problem, but if it has been replaced once and replaced correctly then it is normally good to go for another 200k miles or more. What the site did not say if there where any other factor that help the head gasket to go out.....I.E. hard driving with out the recc. maint sked being followed, and over heating issue that was caused by something else. That site does not give the full story just the raw fact that the head gasket did fail. As I think you are doing you are trying to find information for more than just one source which is a good thing. If you can do the work yourself as I can, you think differently about what some people say is a $1,500.00 (avg price for HG rep) nightmare. I do not think that it is a night mare at all and would buy another with out much thought to the head gasket. For the posts that make it appear that the HG is fail at 20k mile intervals I think that the work is not being done properly to begin with.......Look around the site I know there is one guy here that has posted 400K pics.....I think that half of the bad rep the 3vz engine was not earned.......IMHO

CraZyRunner

i have a 95 3.0 runner i have had any problems with it in the head gaskets i have 150k on it too. But mine is a 95.5 cause the factory fixed the rear suspension so it doesnt sag.

4mydogs

Check and see if the '95 you're talking about is subject to the recall. Toyota solved the problem midway through the '95 model. Mine was not subject to the recall, and no HG problem (so far! knock wood).

Toyota factory "fixed the rear suspension so it doesn't sag"? Mine sagged before I did the Downey coils.

Airborne11B

Ditto 4mydogs. Mine wasn't included in the recall either...and mine sags like none other

93ToyKid

I've had my 3.0 since 160k. It now has +170k on it, and all i've done is replaced the radiator and power steering pump. I love it.

4mydogs

Airborne, do the Downey's. It'll set you free.

ChickenLover

My 3.0 was not part of the HG recall either and supposedly had the 'new and improved' gaskets. What a load! It blew at 106k.

Hey Airborne, are you hauling that new invisible camping trailer in that pic. Damn dude, that's some serious sag. The Downeys will run you about $200 and yes, they will set you free. Make sure you get the HD's though.

jertapper

thanks a lot for all the replies guys. glad i found people that are honest and knowledgeable.

a head gasket job doesn't scare me so much. i did one in my dad's little mazda b2000. but that 4 cyl carb engine was much simpler. this 4 runner i'm looking at buying is at 150k and as far as i know hasn't had any head gasket problems with the current owner, who has owned it since 97. the first owner only put 20k on it. i'm thinking it might be late 95. but ya...i noticed when test driving it that it didn't really have any get up and go power i am used to my v8 caddy engine so that made it seem even worse.

so...how hard is this hg job?
and is there any way i can find out what the last vin number with the hg problem would've been? or do i have to get the vin number on this one and call toyota? also...can i check the vin number online for the recall as opposed to trying to talk to a person using that old technology phone thingy.

thanks again

edit:

i got the vin number and called toyota and the guy said toyota has cleared all the information from back then. but he looked on that particular vin number and said that there were no "campaigns" on it. so either it's one after the head gasket problem was fixed or it's a bad one that has never gone bad or was done by someone other than toyota but they aren't telling me (which i doubt).

dragon564

Toyota would not have information about a HG job done by someone other than Toyota, unless it was reported to them, and they would only hold that information is they had to pay for the service.

jerry

dragon564

Some after market spring will put that rear end right back where you like to see it. I have Eibach's on mine.....lots of folks here have gone with Downy and EMU.....easy to do and feel great after.....price varies....

Captain_Toyota

I wouldnt say the 3.0L was a bad motor. I had a '91 4Runner with that engine and overall it was a good motor. It wasnt the most powerfull V6 ever made (150 hp) and it wasnt exactly known for great fuel economy, but its not like its a bad motor.
A friend of mine had a '96 4Runner with a 3.0L V6 with over 240,000 miles on it and it just keeps on plugging along. The phrase, "rusty but trusty" holds true in this case.
I wouldnt worry about the 3.0L. Change the oil every 3,000 miles (and use a good quality oil) and just like any other Toyota engine it will run forever.
Cap'n

CraZyRunner

My 4runner came stock without a sag for some reason because i know it doesnt have aftermarket springs.

93ToyKid

In my book, any motor that can last well over 200k, is an awesome motor.

Bumpin' Yota

ditto!

90 3vze here with 262,000 on the origional HG....no issues yet *knock on wood*