Hi All, wasn't expecting this to be the topic of my first post on this site since we just bought our 01 4runner two weeks ago. This week the microwave blew, water heater let go yesterday and after doing a little offroad today in the new to us vehicle we got home, did a few things and started to head out to go to an Olds club meeting I belong to.

Well, started up the 4Runner and see white smoke coming out the exhaust pretty heavily. Turn it off, start again and same thing, lots of white smoke. I did not notice any overheating today while driving earlier so I'm kind of puzzled that if it's the head gasket how it might let go so abruptly.

Anyway the vehicle has 129,000 miles and after doing some heavy searching I'm not seeing too many threads or info on the 3.4 having the HG problem. My question is anyone have this problem and secondly what are your thoughts on replacing the gaskets yourself. If not yourself what was the cost at a shop?

We bought this vehicle trying to reduce our debt (replacing a 325i) and now that idea is looking like its backfiring on us.

Hadn't had a chance to look at the oil as I had to get to my meeting and was dark and late when I got home.

Sorry for the long post and any thoughts are appreciated!

 

smell the smoke. if it smells sweet, like coolant, you got a head gasket problem.

 

dang, that sux.

 

1996 had slight HG issues, mostly very early Tacomas, T100's and 4Runners. Toyota should cover it iirc, mine was covered as its a 96 T100 3.4.

 

I'm not really smelling the smoke and I let it sit overnight and started it up just now and no noticeable smoke. Could something else cause it to be a fogging machine one afternoon and the next day none at all or is itan indication the HG is on its way out?

 

Maybe you got a banana in your tailpipe, hehe.

 

Rocket, start by pulling the spark plugs and looking for 1 or 2 that are alot cleaner than the others. Post up pics of them if you can......also check the oil for coolant contamination. You'll also want to get the cooling system pressurized to see if it will hold without leaking. I will add that just because it didn't smoke when you start it up cold doesn't mean the HG hasn't been compromised so don't drive it around or you may damage it to where you need a complete rebuild or a full motor swap (ie big $$$$).

*EDIT* nevermind, I see you say it was a 2001 in your first post.

You'll probably want to have a look at this thread since I'm in the same process on replacing my head gasket:
http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.ph...6&topic=2241.0

 

He said it was an 01....

 

Thats sucks. Bad things do come in 3's. My back luck month when everything breaks is usually January or February

 

Well, good news. Took it to a decent shop here and they checked it out and attributed the smoke to a fuel related problem. Cleaning the MAS sensor, fuel injection system and replacing the PCV valve. I always thought white smoke was just a coolant burning sign. Let ya know if that solved the problem when I pick it up tomorrow.

MTL 4runner thanks for the link to your story. Good write!

ARB1977, sorry no banana for you!

 

just off the title... yes bad things do come in 3's for instance 3.0s hahaha

 

Yup. Bads do come in threes.

#1) I got a pretty good cut on my hand that has become infected

#2)Stubbed my toe so bad it broke the toenail off.

#3)Pissed blood yesturday...

 

this might be a little out there but maybe,

you said you went off roading before this happened

did you go in any water

maybe your air filter got wet and from sitting awhile the water was able to get down into the engine and that would explain the white smoke burn off

and after a day of a couple minutes later no more smoke

i hope this was your problem not the HG

 

No water where we were before, if there was I might of suspected the same.

Thought I would update.

Just got the truck back from a reputable shop that did a coolant pressure check and no issues there. The mechanic I spoke with there said that white smoke like that could be fuel related as well as indication of a coolant leak. In other words they suspected a fuel injection problem like it might be sticking and did a thorough cleanng of it as well as replaced the fuel filter and pcv valve while it was there.

No issues since and it does seem to run a little better. Just glad no coolant issues were detected.

Appreciate all the responses.