A friend of mine has a 94 4runner 3.0 and 215k. The head gasket blew recently for the 3rd time. He asked me if I thought that 4 HGs on one engine is too many and I'm not sure what to tell him. Are the chances of blowing the next HG higher since it's gone through so many already? Would he be better off looking for a new motor instead?

BTW, the 1st HG blew because the original owner neglected the cooling system and let it get rusty. Pretty much all of the cooling system was replaced and the block was pressure washed to get all the rust out. No trace of rust now and there hasn't been in 5+ years.

$$ wise, new HGs would obviously cost a lot less than an engine swap (especially since we would be doing the labor ourselves). But I don't want to bother w/ it if it's just going to blow again in a year or 2.

Also if it isn't worth doing the HGs, has anyone had any luck with products like "Steel Seal" or "Thermagasket" as a last ditch effort to prolong the life of an engine that would be otherwise junked?

Thanks in advance.

 

has the head been re surfaced how about the block? if the heads have been re surfaced it might be time to pull the motor and have the block resurfaced as well, if nether have been done at least the heads need to be resurfaced and block surfaces carefully checked

 

I forgot to mention the heads were resurfaced during the last HG job as well as new rings. Not sure about the block, but I'll find out tomorrow.

 

So, the block has not been resurfaced as far as we know. My buddy did not do the last HG job himself so not sure about the condition of everything internal. All the info we have is based off of receipts and r.o. copies, not from personal experience. Do u think that it would make the job worth it if we resurfaced everything or did the rust just doom this engine for life? Here's why I ask..

I used to have a '95 4runner 3.0 that the coolant looked fine when I bought it and was totally rusty within a few months. I flushed it out the best I could several times and about 6 months later it blew a HG, 6 months after that, a rod. I ended up selling it w/o an engine and buying the truck I have now. It made me think that the rust was always to blame.

 

WHAT coolant were you using??

 

Normal Prestone. I know, I know. But, I only use Toyota red in my truck now.

Steel Seal. Thoughts? Any success stories or total BS?

 

Dude be done with it and save yourself some headaches , get a new one.

 

the blocks are bad about geting pits in'm and not sealing

 

The 3.0 HG issue will always be an issue. Given the 3.4's are now more available as the trucks containing them are being retired from use, their prices are fairly reasonable. Bolts in 40 HP, more efficiency, and very little modifications needed, and no more HG problems.

My 2nd Gen doesn't have enough mods to make the swap worth my time - rather get a 3'rd Gen on coils and have the 3.4 already in it. But if the truck has serious time and money invested, an engine swap should not be discounted.

 

Thanks for the replies. I'm really thinking this engine isn't worth trying to fix anymore. I'm just going to suggest that my buddy get some steel seal and maybe it will prolong it's life for a while. It's up to him if he wants to pay the $70, but I figure it's probably worth trying it. I was hoping someone here on YT had some experience w/ it.

I like my 3.4 a lot so that's definitely the best option if it comes down to getting a new motor.