millball

I got my cherry '95 3.0 5speed runner (108,000) a couple months ago, and I called a local Toyota dealer to inquire about whether headgasket work or any other recall work had ever been done to my truck.
The service manager ran my VIN and told me that my late production 3vze was not included in the headgasket recall campaign. He said that only the first two months of 1995 production engines were included in the recall but he did'nt know why.
Is there a difference in the gaskets used in these late engines, or some other production differences??
I have heard that most 3vzes' used the carbon (graphite) type headgaskets, but that with finer block deck and head surface finishes, multilayer steel gaskets can be used with good success.
Did the factory switch to these steel gaskets in late production?
Could this be the reason that the last 3vzes' were not included in the recall?
Does anybody know ??

millball

Using the ToyoDYI link RSR kindly provided in another thread, I found that there are at least two different factory overhaul gasket sets for the 3.0.
An early 3vze set, part# 04111-65014 before mfg date 3-94 and a late 3vze set, part# 04111-65015 for 4-94 until 7-95.
Further, using the same sites' cross reference function, the info provided seems to indicate that either set could be used on either early or on late production 3vzes'.
I wonder whether the headgaskets are different between these sets??

MudHippy

04111-65014 contains the pre-recall gaskets(and is no longer available). 04111-65015 is the post-recall gasket kit(and is also no longer available AFAIK).

No, Toyota has never used MLS gaskets for this engine. But they have switched OEMs since the recall. Which is significant. Since the new OEM head gaskets(different brand than the first type) are upside down compared to the first post-recall design. Which is probably why 04111-65015 was replaced by 04111-65018. The newest kit should contain their newest OEM HGs.

Your 4Runner was built after the production change(post-recall). So it more than likely already has the recall campaign head gaskets(first type).
http://www.toyotapart.com/3VZ-E_CYLI...T-EG94-003.pdf

millball

Thanks Mudhippy for the good info and TSB link.
Do you have any personal experience with, or opinions about the use of MLS gaskets on the 3vzes'??

MudHippy

I've heard of them being used. But I haven't heard anything good, or bad, about using them. It's seems like a good idea...in theory. Though I personally believe that the whole "3VZ-E head gasket issue" is blown so far out of proportion it's not even funny(and likely has absolutely no truth to it whatsoever). The 22R-E is WAY worse actually. And the 5VZ-FE, no better at all(and probably worse too).

Bottom line: There's no real evidence to suggest that any particular HG type, or brand, works better on this engine than any other. And it's my personal belief that the real reason Toyota started the recall was to avoid being sued for exposing their employees and/or 3VZ-E owners(as many of them as possible atleast) to the asbestos(allegedly) contained in the original HGs. Meaning, the 3VZ-E never has had a "HG durability" issue in the first place. They just cleverly disguised the recall to be based on that "fact". Which makes a great deal of sense if you think about it. Why would they mention the real reason for it? Then every worker(employed by them or not) doing the recall(but none doing the same job after it was done) would have their excuse to sue from exposure to asbestos right there. So they covered it up. It's all been one BIG FAT LIE!!! They're just trying to cut their losses. And how come almost all of the 3VZ-Es with the original HGs(never having had the recall done) have gone well over 200,000 miles without needing new ones? Because most never have had any HG problems period(ANY HG lasting 200k+ miles on an engine with aluminum heads and an iron block is quite good actually, and hardly to be considered a "problem"). And of those that have had problems, the vast majority developed them after having the recall done. So go figure.

PS, I'm currently the owner of 2 3VZ-Es, an 88 and a 90. BOTH went almost the exact same ~220,000 miles on the original head gaskets. Coincidence? I think not.

Terrys87

iTrader: (1)

You didnt mention it, but did they do the Steering Relay Rod recall on it? My 91 had the recall on it and that was 5 years ago and Toyota was still warranting it then. May not apply to yours, just making you aware of it.

To bad the 3.0 gets a bad wrap. Mine had 260k on it when I traded it off. Rust was getting the better part of it. Was a great truck.

I dont follow the crowd on doing the 3.4 swap. More involved then what the average mechanic can probably do in my opinion. With your low miles, I would follow MudHippys suggestion on the headgasket repair and run it several more thousand miles.

As I understand it, a header or better exhaust system helps pull heat away from cylinders 5 and 6 to prevent future problems.

When you get a chance look at other 3.0 trucks and think you will be shocked at the high miles on them. 300k isnt uncommon. When I was shopping for my first Toyota, I just couldnt find a low mileage 3.0, at a reasonable price range. They are a better motor then what is made out to be.

Roark

^^required reading for 3vze owners..

millball

Well, my truck runs well, after a bit of tweeking.
Overall, it seems to have been well maintained. I am the third owner.
The second owner (not a competent mechanic) only had the truck a couple months, and spent over a grand on various useless efforts, and still it only ran on 5 cylinders.
I think he thought he was getting over on me when I bought it.
I fixed it for a $2 spark plug.
On 5 cylinders it got 15MPG, now I get no less than 19MPG and sometimes as much as 21.
I'll just drive it and forget about the 'headgasket issue'.
Don't know about the steering relay rod recall, the service manager said that there were no outstanding recalls on it, so I guess I'm good to go.