It can happen to you just like it happened to me. I've somehow managed to blow the headgasket on my 4runner. It chugs, and goes through coolant, and even has coolant in the oil. This may have been brought on by a failing water pump, which I noticed was leaking a day before the HG blew. I added, and checked the coolant, and made sure the pump was working, and it was. But I guess it was just time for the HG to fail. My temp guage doesn't work reliably, so I had no real way of knowing if the engine was running hot, other than the fact that I would be able to smell a hot engine, which I didn't smell.

For now, I'm driving a 1990 Suburban, which is very economical (13MPG lol ), but is quite comfortable. I am also in the process of replacing the head gasket on my 4Runner.

On a side note, I know I haven't been around much in a while, so I guess my 4Runner gave me an excuse to get on here again.

 

Wow, that suck man. Were you easy on her?

Im trying to keep mine from blowing, i never go over 2500, except when in 5th. Good thing you have a vehical to drive while its down.

 

I was easy on her. At least I think so. I never met the rev limiter, but I have to drive on hills, so keeping it under 2500 isn't practical for me. I rarely ever go above 4000.

 

Psht. Newbs. Shoulda bought a 22re








kinda.

I like me some 5K rpm in muh 22res

 

I redline my 22re 1st through 3rd everyday. Still get 22mpg. But I bought my 4runner with a blown gead gasket so hopefully it wont happen to me. lol

 

Well i just mean while shifting.

70mph = 3k, but i never go over that, only if i have to.

 

The 3vz-e is known for blowing head gaskets. There was even a free dealer replacement offered a while back. I already blew two, but I tend to use the gas pedal more like an on-off switch.

 

22re or 3vze?

 

3vze. The recall has been done. This one's on me.

 

I drove mine like it was rented (5k rpm all the time) for over 120,000 miles (on top of the 92k it had on it when I bought it in 2000) & never had an issue UNTIL I overheated it. It ran great during that time.

After I had the dealer install a timing belt back in 2003, it never ran the same again...

 

So I joined the blown head gasket club last week and I need some expert advice. I built the engine (3vze) about 2 years and 15,000 miles ago. The heads had to have a bunch of metal shaved off to get them back true and smooth, so the compression in each cylinder is now up around 170 psi. I'm thinking that this is what caused the gasket to blow. So, I need to find out if anyone makes a reinforced head gasket for the 3vze engine that can handle the higher compression. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

I usually just throw metal head gaskets on whenever I di a HG job. Kind of hard to blow those


In all seriousness though, my 83 22R-E (Yes, early EFI motor. Was in a Celica) blew the head gasket with about 300k km on it (180k mi). The head bolt stretched.

 

3VZE statistics seem to indicate that it isn't so much that it can happen, but more like it will happen.

 

Stock on the 3vze is 173 psi, mine is running 210 psi, so I wouldn't call your 170 psi "high"....

You want Multi-Layer Steel (MLS) head gaskets, but that will require special surfacing of the heads & block...

 

Aww man!! Thats lame..

damn v6, can't take an overheating

I have had great luck so far, I keep everything in terms of cooling and lubrication in tip top shape. She sees 5,000rpm+ weekly and asks for more *knock on wood!*

 

Bad temp gauge That would drive me nuts not knowing whats going on under there

 

Well...... its not like we had very accurate temp gauges in the first place.....

 

Thats right but i can see when its overheating and kill it.

 

in a hurry but the Head gasket set for Toyota 2.4L, 22R engine wont work for the 22re (both are 88-89) flame me for not searching the fourms i've been doing that all night with everything else i jsut found a cheaper place to buy my parts from mizumoauto.com

 

i meant will it work for the 22re sorry 200 or less for parts and the head job and new timing chain work around 150 at a local old school shop