6 cyl question (1 Viewer)

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LoneRanger

LoneRanger

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In my search for a 4runner I have seen alot of nice 6cyl trucks but have been warned several times not to go there because of a head gasket issue.

I would be interested in hearing from someone who owns a 6 cyl on this question.

What are the advantages and disadvanteges of the 4 vs 6 cyl 4 runner?

TIA
 
LoneRanger said:
In my search for a 4runner I have seen alot of nice 6cyl trucks but have been warned several times not to go there because of a head gasket issue.

I would be interested in hearing from someone who owns a 6 cyl on this question.

What are the advantages and disadvanteges of the 4 vs 6 cyl 4 runner?

TIA
Click to expand...

Depends what year. The 2gen 6cyl runners had an issue with the head gasket but that has since been resolved with the 3rd gen which starts in 96. Not too familiar with the 1gen runners but I do believe they did not have this problem. You will get great gas mileage and longevity out of a 4cly, but they lack power. I have a 4cyl 3rd gen with 240k
 
I think the early 3.0 V6 (2nd generation 4Runners) didn't have any significant issues, but the later 3.0 V6 (maybe around 1991 and newer) had a different gasket material that did have some reported failures.
The 3.4 V6 which came with the 3rd gen 4Runner (1996-2002) is a solid motor without any persistent HG issues.

There are plenty of threads in this section about the pros and cons of the 4 cyl and V6 in the 4Runner. Where I live (mountains) I don't think the minor loss in MPG's with the V6 is worth the power loss you'd get with a 4 cyl. A 3rd gen 4Runner with the 3.4 V6 is a solid platform to start with.
 
Jacket said:
I think the early 3.0 V6 (2nd generation 4Runners) didn't have any significant issues, but the later 3.0 V6 (maybe around 1991 and newer) had a different gasket material that did have some reported failures.
The 3.4 V6 which came with the 3rd gen 4Runner (1996-2002) is a solid motor without any persistent HG issues.
Click to expand...

The 3.0 v6 was originally designed to be used with an asbestos head gasket. however, asbestos was banned in the US about the same time the 3.0 v6 was introduced. Some of the 88 models made it to the US with asbestos head gaskets, but most got the redesigned head gasket which had the problems, as the material used for the 'updated' head gaskets wasn't sufficient for the job. Head gasket issues were prevalent through the entire run of that motor (up until 95).

Some of the early 3.4's (95.5 and 96 IIRC) had some issues with head gaskets -the 5VZ casting is almost identical to the 3VZ casting. Later blocks used a slightly different casting which eliminated the problems. Toyota made it right for the earlier trucks though.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy any 4Runner or Tacoma with the 3.4 v6. Its an excellent engine.
 
LoneRanger said:
I appreciate all this input. Does the v6 have the same longevity record as the 22R and 22RE?

Anyone know the mileage record on a well maintained v6?
Click to expand...

Which V6 are you referring to?
the 3.0 when maintained properly will last a good long while.
My 3.0 had 225,000 on it when I pulled the motor for the rebuild (it had a rod knock).

The 3.4 V6 (5VZ-E) has an excellent reputation. I wouldn't shy away from a well maintained truck with a 3.4 v6 in it. The only issues I've heard of with the 5VZ-E were due to owner neglect.
 
LoneRanger said:
3rd gen.
Click to expand...

Third Gen 4Runners came with either the 5VZ-FE (3.4 v6) or the 3RZ (2.7 liter I4). Both engines are excellent as far as reliability and longevity goes.

The 22RE was an excellent motor, albeit under powered.
The 3RZ was even better IMHO.
 
My 98 4runner has 220,000 miles with the 3.4L and it runs like a top. I have maintenance records showing the previous owner had the timing belt & water pump done twice and I attribute how well mine runs to the previous owners. I really would not shy away from a 3.4 w/ high miles if the maintenance can be proven and it is running well. You can pretty much tell how well any vehicle's motor has been maintained by 220,000 miles though.
 
My wife's grandfather bought a 97 4-runner with the V6 new; I remember about 3 months after his purchase Toyota contacted him and did a head gasket replacement for free as part of a recall (it's been 15 years since this happened, so I am of course short of specifics). He hadn't had any issues but obviously had the work done...
 
There was a guy who drove his (2wd) 3.0 V6 Tacoma 1,000,000 miles with nothing but regular maintenance. His site is now down, but snapshots can be found on the internet archives.

There are also many that are at or over 1/2 million miles on the 3.4L V6. The only advantage of the 4cyl, in my opinion, is the timing chain. However, 3.4L's belts are stout and since the engine is non-interference, no big issues if it snaps.
 
I've got a little over 260,000 miles on my 5VZ-FE, 5 speed tranny, 4x4 with auto locking hubs. Still runs like a raped ape! At 250,000 I changed the spark plugs just because, and the burn on them looked great! I bought the Tacoma from the original owner, a very good friend of mine. He said they were the original plugs. Although he did regular maintenance on the drivetrain, he HAMMERED this truck whenever in the dirt. He went up Comp Hill in Glamis, in REVERSE, multiple times! He bought it when he was like 17, so, yeah... Motors will go 90,000 before it's time for a timing belt. Can't say enough good things about the motor/ tranny/ drivetrain combination.
Oh, when I told him I replaced the clutch about 500 miles ago, he said the old one was the original as well.

Danny
 
My daily driver is an '01 Tacoma with the 3.4L; original owner, 130k miles, Mobil 1 5w-30 since 7 miles on the odometer. No issues other than regular maintenance.

I expect to drive this for 200k without issue...

As stated above, I believe that the head gasket issues were limited to begin with early in the production run, and from what I recall of the recall associated with my wife's grandfather's 97 4Runner Toyota was doing it proactively and had already corrected the production issues. Again, it was near 15 years ago, so I am having to dig into my "mental archives"...
 
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