4RunnerN00B

I bought a 95 4runner limited bout 5 months ago...no problems have happend expect im getting the oil pan gasket replaced cuz it was dripping oil...i have 131,482 miles on it...the timing belt was replaced at 103k... i just had a tune up..so i got new rotor new cap and new plugs and wires....put a new K&N air filter....Other than that its runnning sturdy and strong...OKAY so my question is...Whats with all these HG problems i always read about..it scares me thinking that "Hey I have a 95 4runner, what if mines next?" But im not even sure...im guessing its above the recall thing..maybe its a late 95 model..cuz its a limited version..not really sure...but basically are these trucks going to last me a few years...or do i need to trade it in and find a tacoma? PLZ any advice or knowledge would help me .. thanks

91_4x4runner

I've got a 91 4Runner that had the head gasket replaced (i think... prolly should check) and its got 230,000. The headgasket issue was due to the faulty design, but a quick search of the forum should reveal the extremely long thread about the 4Runners that it covers. If you have the money, I say trade it in for a taco. I really like them personally. If you aren't too dangerous with your 4Runner, it should last you many more years.

regularguy412

My 92 3.0 has 184,000 on it. The HG was done , according to the dealer records, around 30,000 -- so,, a long time ago. It could go south tomorrow, but it's only real problem is a small valve cover gasket leak ( which I'm putting off addressing ). Keeping it tuned up and the cooling system in good order is very important. Then it won't run hot. Heat is not a friend of the 3.0.

Mike in AR

JackKnife

I wouldn't worry about the headgasket. The 3VZ is a very reliable engine. The headgasket problems are extremely exaggerated! Just take care of your engine and it will take care of you.

4RunnerN00B

lol thanks ...im guessing the HG problems are mainly with the 89-early 95 models...mine seems to be running fine..its just should i start to save up for a new motorcycle just in case...i mean i still have to pay off this 4runner...and i dont want it to bust when i still owe like 4500

bigpest88

How much did you pay for 4Runner??? Just wondering cuz I am thinking about selling my 95 4x4 limited 4Runner.

4RunnerN00B

i paid 6000...payments are about 170 per month....its got alllll the good stuff in it...its just im just always thinking about it breaking down or somthing going wrong cuz i read all these stories about HG problems ect. ect. ect.

bigpest88

Holy Crap thats alot!!! Mine to is fully loaded. Leather, power window, power locks, 4x4, 4.88 gears. ect. and I only paid 2500, and traded it for and old POS 84 ford 4x4. I have replaced my HG last year, and it is in the shop again for the same reason. But I will admit that I treat 4runner like crap!!! Also the weather down here dosent help. It is bearly spring and it is already in the 100's!!! (Cant wait for summer!!!)lol But other than that It is perfect. God I love my $Runner!

4x4Lamm

Read my build-up thread to see how reliable they are.

Lamm

AgRunner06

Just tell that to all the people with blown headgaskets that are stuck with at least a $2K price tag to fix it or replace the engine. That's why I sold mine.

JackKnife

All engines blow headgaskets. Even the 'bulletproof' 22Rs do it. It does NOT cost at least $2k to fix it unless one takes it to a shop or one has allowed the leak to go on for some time where it has caused erosion of the water passages. This same condition happens to 22Rs all the damn time and no one attacks that poor little engine.

The 3VZ in my truck went 250k miles without a headgasket problem. The engine died prematurely due to the fact the my brother-in-law didn't understand the importance of keeping oil in the crankcase. Later he bought another truck with a 3VZ it had 220k on the odometer when he sold it. Again, it NEVER had a headgasket problem. These were all miles in Arizona heat.

MadCityRich

Yeah, my '95 pickup has 170k miles on it with the stock head gasket (bought it a 66k miles). I've replaced the radiator earlier this year, but that's the only issues I've had with the cooling system. I don't lose any sleep at night worrying about the head gasket. Flush your coolant once every two years and don't let your oil changes go too long and you'll be fine. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

MadCityRich
'95 4x4 Pickup
3.0
5 spd
4.88 gears

motoracer47

thats not really true. while i can think of worse engines than the 3vze, none of them are toyota engines. i dont think the 3vze is a horrible engine, but probably one of toyotas worse engine designs. can it last? depends on how well its take care of, but even engines with diligent service have still had problems: headgaskets, rod knock, wristpins, burnt exhaust valves on cylinder 6. i know some people have been lucky and not had problems, but that doesnt mean that the engines are perfect and everyone else doesnt know what they are doing/talking about.(for reliablility, i would put 5vzfe/2-3rzfe/1-3uzfe/1-3mzfe/1-2jzgte/5sfe/3sgte up against the 3vze anyday) in answer to the original question, use logic and statisticall reasoning: how many threads do you see on this forum about problems with the 3vze, then compare that to the # of threads about problems with all other engines 22re,5vzfe,2-3rzfe, and you will see that the 3vze outnumbers them all. (while the 5vz and rz's are newer, theres plenty rolling around with highmilleage) can it last? imho, no one on this forum can answer that question for sure, but statistically...............chances are you will have some problem eventually.

Justin311

LOL, I know you love your engine but you're beating a dead horse. Anybody with any knowledge of toyotas knows the 3L has a poorly designed HG. I have owned dozens of toyotas and never had a HG blow on me, upwards of 200k miles and on motors putting out 5x the power that the 3.0 does. I have also owned multiple 22R(E)s and never had a HG blow. Don't steer somebody down the wrong path just to feel better about your motor man. Many people HAVE to pay a shop to do work (and yes its quite beleivable that its 2 grand) and can't afford to swap HGs every year.

JackKnife

Justin, no one replaces headgaskets EVERY year! Don't steer someone down the wrong path, because you dislike an engine that really has nothing wrong with it.

Motoracer, there are PLENTY of threads dealing with 22R problems. And they certainly outnumber those of the 3VZ, which they should. The 22R was used in more vehicles and for a longer period.

And, guess what the most common problem with 22Rs is.......the headgasket.

84sr5yoty

1984 22re 170K....original headgasket

1959 Pontiac Catalina Safari 389cu 249,000 mi.....original headgaskets

1973 Dodge D-100 225 slant 6 70,300.....original headgasket

Paul H.

Had ny headgasket replaced at 60K 11 years ago by the recall. Never had a problem with it since.

4RunnerN00B

EVEN SO that doesnt mean it can happen to any of ours...it just sucks cuz ill never know when its coming...you just have to think positive and always stay on top of your engine...make sure he gets the right oil at the right time..make sure you have it tuned up every time it needs a tune up...as long as its a clean and good motor i think it will last you a long time. I ALSO however think its the way you drive them...if people put pedel to the metal every time they take off from the stop light or drive it hard then yes i reallly do think that it puts alot of strain on your engine and eventually yes somthing will happen to it. as far as using it alot for 4 wheeling...im not sure...4 wheeling puts alot of strain on all the parts...so maybe thats a big factor also.

JackKnife

As I said in my first post...Take care of your engine and it will take care of you. If you allowed ANY of those engine to get too hot, the headgasket would fail.

Get out and drive that slant 6 more. Those engines last forever!

wrenchmonster

Hands down, the 3.0 3vze is the best engine ever made by any manufacturer!!!!

Please. The 3.0 is a good motor, but not the best. If you want to talk about problems, let's talk about the 2.8 v6 Chevrolet. Every motor has it's weak points. Every motor fails at some point. Just because a problem is common doesn't mean there won't be isolated incidents of superior reliability, or horrible unreliability.

The head gasket job really isn't that bad. It's time consuming, but not extremely difficult. My head job cost me $900 bucks, but I also had extensive head work done and replaced a lot of stuff because I was there (cams, timing belt, pater wump, idler pulley, belts, spark plugs, wires, etc.). I could have done it for $400 however.

I personally like the 3.0, you just have to value it for what it is and the time period it was built in.