i just bought a 90' 4runner. v6 4wd A/C w/ 113k on it. auto trans. it seems to run ok but should i get the head gasket recall done to it before they tell me its out of date?

 

i don't know if they'll do the recall unless the gasket has already failed. you're running out of time though, i think the cut off is 120K miles. have them check if there's any mixing of the oil and antifreeze, or if you're getting any burnt antifreeze out the exhaust. if everything is fine, they may not be able to do the recall. but if you can get it done, then i'd definately suggest doing it. when they did mine, they put in a new timing belt and new clutch with no extra labor charges, so it was a good deal for me. of course they actually had to replace the block in mine. the head gasket failed relatively early (50 or 60k miles) and my brother was driving it at the time and didn't notice anything. the truck burnt up all the antifreeze and then proceeded to overheat in the middle of summer. warped the head and cracked the block. i'm glad toyota took care of everything for me.

 

I would have it done, at least thats what I did with mine. My truck had 100k on it when the recall was done even though there was nothing wrong. They still did the recall work on it, and I ended up getting a new shortblock for free from the old block being scored. Normally they said that the top end would be rebuilt along with replacing the headgaskets.

 

congrats. on your purchase. Deffinently get it done if you can. While your at it get the timing belt, drive belts, and water pump replaced at the same time. You will only pay for the parts, labor will be free.

 

I don't think there is any expiration on the head gasket recall. I had mine done way over 120K. I think it was more like 168K. Toyota will run the VIN to see if the recall has been done already. If not, they should do it regardless of the mileage (I think). Search the archives or even the web, there is a ton of detail on the head gasket recall.

 

I had mine done two weeks ago.
There is NO limit on the number of miles,years or owners. Or even if it's the original engine! Mine was a donor, out of a '90, into my '91. It's the VIN that matters, not the Bill of Material from the factory.

My suggestion is to drive it like a madman!
Wait til it goes and then drag that rig into the Dealer and let them give you a free long block. I got mine last week and the truck feels like brand new.

Keep in mind, many here have had it done, only to have it blow again in less than a year, sometimes just over a year. At thaty point you'll have to start looknig at the 3.4 replacement

 

Blair is right. I have also heard of people getting the gasket recall done and having that fail also in short manner but I think that was more during the early recall period where they still didn't have the whole gasket material thing figured out yet. Anyway, why fix it if it ain't broke? Just run the truck until the head gasket goes then get all the other stuff done that everyone else has mentioned while its in the shop.

 

I had mine done on my 91 about 2 years ago. Nothing was wrong at the time, but I was due for a timing belt and water pump. It's great that Toyota stands behind their products like this. Some of the American makes could take a lesson. I also have a 2000 F-150 and they are known for head gasket leaks, blowing spark plugs out of the heads, cracking doors and other stuff.

 

i had mine done about 2 1/2 years ago at toyota and it failed this fall. not because of the HG itself but because of the monkey they had do it for me.
my new mech (who is very good btw) was able to pinpoint all the places where they f@cked it up at the toyota dealership.

i guess my point is if you have the recall done make sure you insist on having the shop foreman or their lead tech do the work. dont let them get away with anything and keep the documentation you get so you can cover your @ss if anything goes wrong after the work has been done.

 

You may not be eligable. My 90 was the first half of 90. They only cover the second half of 90 and up. Check your vins and go from there.

 

Good luck.... My 90' isn't eligable for it.

 

i asked the toyota rep on the phone and he said they never expire ???

 

True!
But the campaign only begins around mid-year of the 1990 product line. Something to keep in mind, if you're ever out looking for a new used 2nd gen. I've run a bunch past Toyota Canada over the last two days. Some are, others are not. Check the date. I KNOW if I ever find a good 3.0 that I'm gonna buy a good selling point will be that it quallifies, or was done VERY recently