Are the head gaskets notorious for being blown?

 

Depends on a lot of factors but more info about your rig may help.... Year, engine, mileage, etc...

3VZs are known for it but I also see some that have blown HGs in 5vz and 22rs. There's a lot of info on here about the frequency of failure based on many of the factors that I'm talking about.

 

MOST HG issues stem from an overheat. Overheat a 3VZE & I almost guarantee a HG issue within a few thousand miles. We also put a lot more miles on our vehicles....most engines will eventually have a HG fail after a few hundred thousand miles~

Keeping the cooling system in good condition will go a LONG WAY in warding off HG issues.

 

The exhaust manifold crossover on the 3vze has also been noted in many threads for causing the head gasket to go. Some have installed headers in an attempt to remedy the issue.

 

wow thanks guys that was all great information!

I own a 1986 Toyota 4Runner 22RE ~188,000 miles. Been through hell and back in about 4 years and I am the ONLY owner to put in any decent amount of work on it. I originally got into Yota's because how I heard that you can beat the living hell out of them they will start and run! (Youtube classics) But after buying it I been through a normal engine swap and then after 1 year I have a blown head gasket. Yes it all started after over-heating and also yes I do have a leak at my exhaust manifold and was considering getting headers. I have decided to just go along and rebuild the engine. Yes I do plan on keeping this truck I won't sell it unless I find a better 1st gen 4Runner? Anyways why I created this post was to solve an argument with a friend of mine. Yes I am thinking of an engine swap upgrade but not in any time soon. $

 

sometimes engine have headgasket issues straight from factory. All of the supras with the 7mgte engine would blow a headgasket between 125-200 thousand km. Regardless how hard you drove it or how well you maintained it. The problem was the head bolt torque was 56ft/lbs from factory. Once rebuilt and torqued to 80 ft/lbs it a solid engine. Not everything is done perfectly from factory. Something to keep in mind.

 

I know for my 93 4runner, she blew a head gasket. I went to get it replaced and it turns out Toyota recalled the head gasket. Check online and see if you can find out if yours has been recalled that way it saves you money.