I recently was looking into getting a 88-97 4-runner. I did some research and heard about alot of people having problems with their heads going. Is this only prone to the 3.0 or is their known problems like this with the 3.2 and 3.4 as well?
3.0 v6 and blown heads
- Thread starter freestlye
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
88-95 was the 3.0h V6 we've all come to love. And AFAIK, nothing over the 3VZ has a recall on it? And I've never heard of a 3.2. Those people telling you about the heads going tell you about this?
And I don't think the 88 and 89 are covered, although I could be wrong. Those two years had a bigger head stud. Pull the vin, go to the stealer and find out if it's been done b/f. If it hasn't, unless the recall has gone out, they will do them for free. Now I'm not saying they will rebuild the heads, but as far as the monstrous task of both pulling and reinstalling the heads, they will cover.
It's not a bad motor once that's been done, and I have NEVER heard of one having any problems after that.
They are a ROYAL PITA to work on though. But generally not bad once the gaskets are done.
They get a bad rep b/c of the HG's and they don't have face warping POWA!!! once you mat the gas.
I love mine, but H8 working on it, which makes it a good thing it's a Toyota motor. If you do everything BEFORE you supposed to do it, it'll treat you fine.
Two other things about this motor, you cannot run them low on oil or coolant. They will let you know ASAP, and that's gonna cost you. These motors are not cheap.
Bottom line, "PM" (Preventative Maintenance). Know it, live it. There are a ton worse vehicles than this out there.
And wecome.....
= newb salute! 
And I don't think the 88 and 89 are covered, although I could be wrong. Those two years had a bigger head stud. Pull the vin, go to the stealer and find out if it's been done b/f. If it hasn't, unless the recall has gone out, they will do them for free. Now I'm not saying they will rebuild the heads, but as far as the monstrous task of both pulling and reinstalling the heads, they will cover.
It's not a bad motor once that's been done, and I have NEVER heard of one having any problems after that.
They are a ROYAL PITA to work on though. But generally not bad once the gaskets are done.
They get a bad rep b/c of the HG's and they don't have face warping POWA!!! once you mat the gas.
I love mine, but H8 working on it, which makes it a good thing it's a Toyota motor. If you do everything BEFORE you supposed to do it, it'll treat you fine.
Two other things about this motor, you cannot run them low on oil or coolant. They will let you know ASAP, and that's gonna cost you. These motors are not cheap.
Bottom line, "PM" (Preventative Maintenance). Know it, live it. There are a ton worse vehicles than this out there.
And wecome.....
= newb salute! 
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2004
- Threads
- 274
- Messages
- 23,204
- Location
- Chandler, AZ
- Website
- www.tontorecreationalliance.org
IMHO the 3.slo is not a very efficient motor, uses more fuel while making less power than most. IIRC the head gasket campaign from Toyota is over, so if they blow it's up to you to repair. That said my '90 3.slo Runner served me well.
The 3.4L in the '96 and newer is a much better motor, if your budget allows that's what I would get.
The 3.4L in the '96 and newer is a much better motor, if your budget allows that's what I would get.
x2 on that.
And another thing OP, Tools R Us brings up a great point. If you can do a swap, you might also want to look into a 3RZ swap. It's a 4cyl with the power of the old 3.0.Not quite sure about the torque though, and not bad IMO, if the tire choice is kept reasonable. I've been noticing the popularity of swapping in these newer motors into older rigs, and been seeing the 3RZ quite a few times now.
I, could care less about power. I put reliability and efficiency above power. So the 3RZ might be something you'll want to look into, IDK. And, just so we're clear here, there is nothing wrong with the 5VZ.
Just throwing that out there.
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2004
- Threads
- 274
- Messages
- 23,204
- Location
- Chandler, AZ
- Website
- www.tontorecreationalliance.org
The swaps are usually done 4cyl 20r to 4cyl 3RZ and 6cyl 3VZ to 6cyl 5VZ, with good reasons. The 6cyl motors share motor mount, pan, bell housing, etc bolt patterns, so swaps are easier. The biggest challenge to later motors is the exhaust is passenger drop, the earlier rigs have the front drive shaft wanting to take up the same spot. On the 5VZ it's relatively easy to reverse the manifold crossover piping, making the swap easier.
Great swap if you have a 3.slo rig or find a nice, cheap rig with a bad motor, but probably better off just to buy a 3.4L 5VZ rig to start?
Great swap if you have a 3.slo rig or find a nice, cheap rig with a bad motor, but probably better off just to buy a 3.4L 5VZ rig to start?
I had my head gaskets done on recall this past spring. The special service campaign of the original special service campaign was open "indefinately," presumably until there are no more 90-through 94 3.0's left with original head gaskets. Don't ask your local dealer. They will LIE to you. No dealer wants to open this can of worms on a 20-year-old vehicle and many of them have the outdated literature on the campaign. Call consumer affairs headquarters of Toyota in Cali and give them your VIN number. They'll tell you if you're still eligible. Open a case file with them right then and there because they'll have to intervene for you with the local dealership in order to get this done. If your engine has been damaged due to a bad head gasket then Toyota owes you a new long block. My engine turned out to be ok but I still got a new knock sensor, cam seals and a timing belt.