1994 4Runner High Temp and Smoke'n

[DoDFire]

I have a 1994 4Runner and today I noticed that it was smoke'n as the wife came down the driveway, we had to go to town and when I stopped at a stop sign below the house I noticed it was smoke'n more, I drove it down the road and the smoke cleared but I noticed hesitation while at a traffic light,,,,We arrived at the store and I shut the truck off. When we got back in and I started the truck up it blew a smoke cloud as big as the truck then it cleared, I noticed the temp guage was rise'n and I limped it home,, I added coolant after it set for a few hours and now it just blows white smoke and doesn't seem to clear. Any ideas to what the problem could be and How bad have I screwed up.

[mustang67408]

Sounds like the headgaskets are out of it. You didn't do anything wrong.
The 3VZ (3.0L) was known for this.
See attachment and call the TOYOTA 800 number. 1-800-331-4331 and tell them what you think is wrong and see if it is still covered under warranty. If they ask, tell them you did a search on the internet.
They should be able to tell you with the information you provide them.
Good Luck

[DoDFire]

Thanks abunch

I kinda figured it may be the gaskets.

[RobXS]

That is exactly what happened to my truck when the head gasket went except I was going about 70mph.

[DoDFire]

Well, I found out today that the Headgaskets have been replaced back in 99,,, So now I'm stuck with the problem,,,,,Anyone ever put a Jasper engine in a 4Runner??

I have 188k on the engine and hate to spend the $$ to fix it with that mileage,,,Wouldn't it be better to drop in a rebuild and get a warranty?

When it rains it pours!!

[mustang67408]

Ever watch tractor pulls? JASPER ENGINE is a big name in Engines. We use them for many of our remanufactured engines.
They are much better than any of the others we have used. (ATK)
Yes, get the extra warranty from Jasper, just in case there is a problem.
Jasper engines seem to be ok for us .
The only issue we had was they used American gaskets (valve cover, front seal ,rear main) and they tend to prematurly leak, so I recommend installing TOYOTA gaskets and seals before the engine is installed. They are right there and easy to get to.

[DoDFire]

$400 and my time fixed this problem,,,,

[RobXS]

Did you go with a new motor or did you replace the head gaskets?

[DoDFire]

Tore it down myself, replaced all gaskets, water pump, thermostat, timing belt, and a new battery. Heads were shaved costing $60.00 total. Runs just like it did before gasket failure,,,,,,Those crooks wanting to charge 1200-2800 for a $400 job can swing from a nut hair. I know it's right and not just thrown together.

[kathyricks]

I hope you used the latest Toyota gaskets. Toyota had a couple revisions because the first replacement gaskets didn't hold up.

The root cause of this whole head gasket fiasco was that this particular V6 was designed
to use asbestos containing head gaskets and then Japanese factory worker health concerns forced Toyota to find a quick non-asbestos substitute and they weren't completely successful in finding a quick substitute.

[mustang67408]

Originally Posted by kathyricks

I hope you used the latest Toyota gaskets. Toyota had a couple revisions because the first replacement gaskets didn't hold up.

The root cause of this whole head gasket fiasco was that this particular V6 was designed
to use asbestos containing head gaskets and then Japanese factory worker health concerns forced Toyota to find a quick non-asbestos substitute and they weren't completely successful in finding a quick substitute.

Sorry, that's not what we were told.

The whole issue about those headgaskets was, There was excessive electrolisis between the IRON BLOCK and Aluminum heads, it was advanced by the acidic coolant and material of the gaskets. This caused the blocks and heads to pit and burnell. The gasket material made this condition worse and allowed the heads to loosen and move back and forth on the block also creating damage. We resurfaced more blocks and used NEW headgaskets and had very few 2nd time issues. Most of the 2nd time issues we ran across came from the first job not being done properly, meaning if someone measured the damage on the block and let the .002" or more warpage go instead of having the block surfaced, it would almost always come back later with problems. We learned the hard way, it took 2 engines coming back before we figured out why. The same thing goes for the heads, if the damage was to deep and the head eaten away near the firering of the headgasket, they would re-leak. The heads should have been replaced when the resurfacing was a close call.
The headbolts accordong to Toyota also should have been replaced each time a head was removed, MOST people did not do that. The stretch on the bolts was amazing to measure, before and after being used. They are Torque to yield bolts. (Plastic Region Bolts)
If those gaskets were made of asbestos, I'm sure Toyota would have had better instructions on cleaning the surfaces (resperators and the like). They always go overboard in protection instructions when they giving directions on how to work on harzardous things.
I sure am glad they went to MLS gaskets in most applications. I dont think my back could handle another run like that again.

[kathyricks]

Thanks for the detailed information Mustang. I must have heard an old wives tale in regard to the asbestos story. I'm also surprized to hear about any electrolysis issues aggravated by the Toyota Red coolant. In my experience, the Toyota red coolant + distilled water does a fantastic job of preventing corrosion & erosion of both aluminum and cast iron engine parts.

[mustang67408]

They had an issue with the RED coolant back then also. It used to wipe out waterpump seals left and right. It depends on the mineral content of the cast iron and aluminum. If you put that red coolant in an AMERICAN vehicle, wach out.....it would find every nook and cranny to leak from. It just oozes from everywhere. I put that stuff in my old ford (1987 4x4) and within a month it ruined the radiator and was leaking from almost every hose clamp. I had 0 issues before hand, just thought I would use it since it was free. We have also seen this happen more than once in other vehicles, friends and customers. I USED to sell it to them for ALL their vehicles... what a mistake that was. They have since changed that coolant and we do not have as many issues now. THE NEW SUPPER LONG LIFE coolant is also PRE-MIXED, so that the % is already pre-determined by TOYOTA. Many people used to pour in that RED LONG LIFE COOLANT straight and that usually is where the issue was, a SUPER CONCENTRATION. Now it is kind of dummy proof, it does not need to be mixed, but I still advise against putting it in AMERICAN VEHICLES.
I agree in a TOYOTA the RED stuff works great if mixed properly(NOW), and the NEW PINK STUFF is even better.

[kathyricks]

My experience with the red coolant has all been good, including back in the late 1980's when Toyota first introduced it. The red was the factory fill in my 1989 Corolla and the water pump on that car has lasted 19 years and 255,000 miles. I'm changing the pump now only because I'm due for a timing belt change. The inside of the radiator of the car looks like new because the red has done such a great job keeping the radiator core tubes clean and free of mineral deposits.

I've also used the red for years in several vintage Toyotas (early 70's) and no leaks, head gasket problems or water pump problems. Of course I never use it straight, but pre-dilute it 50/50 with distilled water then add it to an empty cooling system.