Blown Head Gasket?

[bloc]

Meanwhile, some 3UR valve springs fail out of the blue, nuking a piston and usually the head and block.

It’s still an incredibly small percentage of the total units sold.

I’m not sure where people got the idea that engine issues in a Landcruiser were ever “unheard of.” 80-series 1FZ-FE very commonly had head gasket issues. I forget which inline-6 turbodiesel had bad bottom end bearings. The RoW 4.5TD is notorious for dust killing the turbos and piston rings. Not a LC but Toyotas 3.slow in the 4Runner.. hell even the worshipped 22RE will use the timing chain to chew a hole from the crank case into the coolant circuit.

The 2UZ was a solid engine but wouldn’t do much of what a 3UR will (towing, mileage) and the vast majority of those 3URs will do it without head gasket problems. No this won’t make someone facing the cost of repair feel any better, but this sky is falling s*** is getting old.

ANY vehicle over 100k is a risk, some at far less mileage than that. End of the day, a 200-series is less risk than many vehicles. Don’t like the remaining risk? Choose a different vehicle.

Edit: and trying to be constructive here, if anyone is worried about their head gasket Used Oil Analysis is a proven effective way to get a heads up on even minuscule amounts of coolant in the oil. You could plausibly catch a HG issue before it damages the block or head, vastly reducing the cost of repair.

Might be worth considering with your oil changes if all of this is keeping you up at night.

 

[Artie]

Meanwhile, some 3UR valve springs fail out of the blue, nuking a piston and usually the head and block.

It’s still an incredibly small percentage of the total units sold.

I’m not sure where people got the idea that engine issues in a Landcruiser were ever “unheard of.” 80-series 1FZ-FE very commonly had head gasket issues. I forget which inline-6 turbodiesel had bad bottom end bearings. The RoW 4.5TD is notorious for dust killing the turbos and piston rings. Not a LC but Toyotas 3.slow in the 4Runner.. hell even the worshipped 22RE will use the timing chain to chew a hole from the crank case into the coolant circuit.

The 2UZ was a solid engine but wouldn’t do much of what a 3UR will (towing, mileage) and the vast majority of those 3URs will do it without head gasket problems. No this won’t make someone facing the cost of repair feel any better, but this sky is falling s*** is getting old.

ANY vehicle over 100k is a risk, some at far less mileage than that. End of the day, a 200-series is less risk than many vehicles. Don’t like the remaining risk? Choose a different vehicle.

Edit: and trying to be constructive here, if anyone is worried about their head gasket Used Oil Analysis is a proven effective way to get a heads up on even minuscule amounts of coolant in the oil. You could plausibly catch a HG issue before it damages the block or head, vastly reducing the cost of repair.

Might be worth considering with your oil changes if all of this is keeping you up at night.

I hoard data so Blackstone labs get paid every oil change. Their glowing reviews of my engines numbers keeps me coming back looking for those glowing reviews.

But yeah, catching stuff early is always better.

 

[KLF]

Meanwhile, some 3UR valve springs fail out of the blue, nuking a piston and usually the head and block.

It’s still an incredibly small percentage of the total units sold.

I’m not sure where people got the idea that engine issues in a Landcruiser were ever “unheard of.” 80-series 1FZ-FE very commonly had head gasket issues. I forget which inline-6 turbodiesel had bad bottom end bearings. The RoW 4.5TD is notorious for dust killing the turbos and piston rings. Not a LC but Toyotas 3.slow in the 4Runner.. hell even the worshipped 22RE will use the timing chain to chew a hole from the crank case into the coolant circuit.

The 2UZ was a solid engine but wouldn’t do much of what a 3UR will (towing, mileage) and the vast majority of those 3URs will do it without head gasket problems. No this won’t make someone facing the cost of repair feel any better, but this sky is falling s*** is getting old.

ANY vehicle over 100k is a risk, some at far less mileage than that. End of the day, a 200-series is less risk than many vehicles. Don’t like the remaining risk? Choose a different vehicle.

Edit: and trying to be constructive here, if anyone is worried about their head gasket Used Oil Analysis is a proven effective way to get a heads up on even minuscule amounts of coolant in the oil. You could plausibly catch a HG issue before it damages the block or head, vastly reducing the cost of repair.

Might be worth considering with your oil changes if all of this is keeping you up at night.

The 1FZ is well known to pop head gaskets, heck you can even buy a DVD with a bunch of videos that show you how to change it. Then there was the 3VZ HG debacle, I've done a few of those. I've changed quite a few 22RE head gaskets. The 7M was also tough on them when turbo'd.

I'm pretty sure our 3UR isn't up to those frequencies, if you could somehow normalize the data to "HG replacements per 100k engines", something like that.

 

[ryanCA]

No, it's not. You really need to stop this misinformation distribution. Seriously, dude.

There is no misinformation, we have 30 pages of threads on HG issues, and when CCN is continuously providing facts on these occurring.

Stop living in a fantasy land, "dude"

 

[ryanCA]

Throughout all of this, I’ve been hoping this is due to owners who haven’t noticed the places the motor leaks coolant, didn’t keep track of the reservoir, and overheated due to the fluid loss.

I’m starting to have some doubts.

That is the easy way to explain the HG.

The 3 recent ones on this forum, the owners have had the trucks since new or almost new, no negligence and it is still happening.


It is an issue with the 200, just like valley plate was and radiators were.


Fix it and enjoy it.


I am not sure why so many drink the koolaide (not you), and just live in their fantasy factory of 200 is a perfect vehicle and nothing is ever wrong, when the list is longer than .... you know what

 

[ryanCA]

Meanwhile, some 3UR valve springs fail out of the blue, nuking a piston and usually the head and block.

OMG .. stop spreading facts around here

Sadly we have had quite a few engine failures, and always appreciate you providing great posts and facts, unlike some other posters on this forum living in their fantasy land.

I’m not sure where people got the idea that engine issues in a Landcruiser were ever “unheard of.” 80-series 1FZ-FE very commonly had head gasket issues. I forget which inline-6 turbodiesel had bad bottom end bearings. The RoW 4.5TD is notorious for dust killing the turbos and piston rings. Not a LC but Toyotas 3.slow in the 4Runner.. hell even the worshipped 22RE will use the timing chain to chew a hole from the crank case into the coolant circuit.

Yup have had LC since 1983, and have had many problems. Still a fan, but problems persist in many platforms, as you clearly state. Thank you.

 

[bloc]

There is no misinformation, when CCN is continuously providing facts.

"continuously" yes, "facts" sometimes no.

 

[rexington14]

A lot of 200s aren't that old. You can say it's an incredibly small percentage experiencing failure, but we really don't know how prevalent these failures are or will be as these get older.

From the CCN video and the non insignificant amount of failures reported on this forum (which is obviously a very limited subset of actual owners) there's enough to indicate something is amiss with the 3UR compared to other -modern- Toyota engines. Sky not falling, but it is something to be aware of as a current or prospective owner.

 

[shajbot]

Count me in this club, 13' LX570 160k miles, owned since 100K. coolant in #7 cylinder, misfire, stumble on restart. Happened out of nowhere, only driven long distance, oil change religiously, coolant replaced at 100K in conjunction with replacing cracked radiator (sounds familiar?). $7K out the door at a local shop in San Diego that includes resealing the valley plate and cam towers. It's a tough pill to swallow as I have own multiple Lexus/Toyota (LS400, SC300/400, RX330, GX460) some around 180K-250K miles range never have issues with coolant system let alone head gaskets.

The only positive thing out of it is the car is noticeably more peppy as the machine shop repaired one of the leaking valves and I guess higher compression from having the head machined.

 

[ryanCA]

"continuously" yes, "facts" sometimes no.

fair enough

 

[ryanCA]

A lot of 200s aren't that old. You can say it's an incredibly small percentage experiencing failure, but we really don't know how prevalent these failures are or will be as these get older.

From the CCN video and the non insignificant amount of failures reported on this forum (which is obviously a very limited subset of actual owners) there's enough to indicate something is amiss with the 3UR compared to other -modern- Toyota engines. Sky not falling, but it is something to be aware of as a current or prospective owner.

agreed and well said

 

[ryanCA]

Count me in this club, 13' LX570 160k miles, owned since 100K. coolant in #7 cylinder, misfire, stumble on restart. Happened out of nowhere, only driven long distance, oil change religiously, coolant replaced at 100K in conjunction with replacing cracked radiator (sounds familiar?). $7K out the door at a local shop in San Diego that includes resealing the valley plate and cam towers. It's a tough pill to swallow as I have own multiple Lexus/Toyota (LS400, SC300/400, RX330, GX460) some around 180K-250K miles range never have issues with coolant system let alone head gaskets.

The only positive thing out of it is the car is noticeably more peppy as the machine shop repaired one of the leaking valves and I guess higher compression from having the head machined.

sorry to hear that

we have similar garage (sc300, ls 400/430/ rx300), no hg issues there

$7,000 is no fun

but appreciate the honest data point

 

[comox]

Count me in this club, 13' LX570 160k miles, owned since 100K. coolant in #7 cylinder, misfire, stumble on restart. Happened out of nowhere, only driven long distance, oil change religiously, coolant replaced at 100K in conjunction with replacing cracked radiator (sounds familiar?). $7K out the door at a local shop in San Diego that includes resealing the valley plate and cam towers. It's a tough pill to swallow as I have own multiple Lexus/Toyota (LS400, SC300/400, RX330, GX460) some around 180K-250K miles range never have issues with coolant system let alone head gaskets.

The only positive thing out of it is the car is noticeably more peppy as the machine shop repaired one of the leaking valves and I guess higher compression from having the head machined.

Where did you have it done in San Diego? 13' LC200 108K, owned since 25K, same bad luck.

 

[rexington14]

Where did you have it done in San Diego? 13' LC200 108K, owned since 25K, same dad luck.

Yours just blew? Any overheating?

 

[WildYoats]

Also, what was your coolant change intervals years and mileage? It’s 10 year coolant but discussion on here has many changing much sooner thinking the longer timeframe could be a culprit.

I'll have to confirm my records as we live in Utah and have been in Huntington Beach for the last month (which also complicates things), but I feel coolant flushes have been at least twice. I hate to admit this publicly, and I am good with a wrench, but we've always just had our local dealer proceed with the recommended maintenance items in lieu of time.

Are you going to proceed with a HG replacement job?

Yes, gave them the okay to proceed last week as we don't live here. Initial quote was $7500.

Let us know $$ for repair

initial quote was $7500, they also discovered a slight crack in the radiator and valley pan leak, getting closer to $9,000 now, still not done. Again, never overheated on us once.

Count me in this club, 13' LX570 160k miles, owned since 100K. coolant in #7 cylinder, misfire, stumble on restart. Happened out of nowhere, only driven long distance, oil change religiously.....

Sorry to hear this as well. It just should not be happening. I understand things happen, but of all the cars I've owned over the years (100+), the LAST one I ever expected to have this happen to was the one with the 25-year industry service life.
Still love my Toyotas (have several others currently), but it does sting a bit. I'm more so pissed I have to stop ribbing my friends with Land Rovers now!

 

[WildYoats]

Current state. (but look how clean those heads are! We've been religious about maintenance! )

 

[ryanCA]

but I feel coolant flushes have been at least twice.
initial quote was $7500, they also discovered a slight crack in the radiator and valley pan leak, getting closer to $8,500 now, still not done. Again, never overheated on us once.
I understand things happen, but of all the cars I've owned over the years (100+), the LAST one I ever expected to have this happen to was the one with the 25-year industry service life.

Sad to hear this.


Really appreciate you providing facts.. as this is something we need in the 200 forum...

 

[WildYoats]

Where did you have it done in San Diego? 13' LC200 108K, owned since 25K, same dad luck.

Oh man, just when I thought I had the lowest mileage on this happening. So sorry.

 

[ryanCA]

Oh man, just when I thought I had the lowest mileage on this happening. So sorry.

Someone on the forum had it at 83K miles. It was a 15 LC. Can't find the thread.... Total dealer bill he paid was $12K - with other things.

Also many people I am sure have it, who are NOT on this forum.. and we never even know about it.



CCN knows what he is talking about @gasman4u , isn't that correct?

 

[comox]

Yours just blew? Any overheating?

No over heating.