2005 toyota tacoma head gasket problem

I am very angry that my son only has 146k on his 2005 Toyota Tacoma and the service department is saying he may have to replace his head gasket for $3k+. Are you kidding me??? No way!!! I am going to call Toyota!!! There should be no way that a Tacoma with this kind of mileage on it and properly serviced would have to have this major work done on it. Is there a recall on this? Maybe we should start one!!!

 

This is perhaps an odd coincidence but the head gaskets on my 2001 Ranger were going out at 147,000 miles as well. It's damned expensive and alot of work.

In my case the head gasket was one of five other things that were going to need replacing. Made my decision easier to trade it in and run the other way.

 

This has been discussed over at T4R forum in regards to the head gasket problems with 2003 to early 2005 4runner models. Someone mentioned that Toyota may have change the head gasket material (something) because of the sku number is different. 4runner and Tacoma share the same motor.

 

Before I bought my Taco, I was looking at a 02 Ranger with the 4.0 SOHC motor. Then I did the research on that motor. Dumbest designed motor ever. 4 timing chains and you have to pull the motor to work on the right rear chain. And to top it off, they are notorious for having tensioner and guide problems. I told the lady with the Ranger that after doing research, I wouldn't take her truck if it was FREE. I don't need that kind of aggravation in my life.

 

2005 - 2006 4.0s were known for head gasket issues around the 150k mark, I do think there was some kind of recall on it. Call Toyota and see what they say. It was enough of an issue that they remedied it for the later model years anyhow.

 

No Recall on it. They know there is a problem with the 2005 Toyota's in General. I had a local shop do mine instead of the dealer due to price. Mine went before the 150,000. Easy way to tell if you aren't sure yet. Take off your radiator cap, Start the truck, Look in your radiator for bubbles, If you see bubbles you have an issue, If you don't you should be fine.

 

I learned the hard way that the design/engineering of the coolant system was weird too. Ethylene glycol coolant comes into contact with many seals in that truck and other components for whatever reason. Apparently it's necessary to flush the coolant every year instead of every two or three years. A mechanic explained it all to me and it made alot of sense at the time. Apparently the coolant turns acidic after a year or so and just corrodes everything it comes into contact with.

The mechanic also told me that even in the new generation cars/trucks with the new coolant that supposedly only needs changed once every 100,000 miles, don't believe that.

It's good info to know. It never hurts to change fluids more frequently than what manufacturers suggest.

 

OP - did you take it to another mechanic for a second opinion? I did this with my Ranger and both opinions from independent mechanics were the same. And they both seemed like they weren't really wanting to do the work. But mine had other issues as well.

 

I called Toyota 1-800-GO-TOYOTA. OMG!!! They were so rude and stated they claim no liability and 2005 is outside the warranty so they will not discuss it further. Would need to pay whatever the service department say it would cost to diagnose ($3k) "yeah like I carry that kind of cash in my back pocket for my son's truck" It disturbed me they were so aloof about it. Not to mention the his blue paint has corroded like all the blue Tacoma's out there have. I am upset about this considering I spent of $37K when I purchased this truck for my son!!

 

146k is way past the miles you would get from a Ford/ Chevy/ Dodge, without a major repair needed. Fords, Chevys, and Dodges regulary end up in the wrecking yards at 125k, because they have too many things wrong with them to warrent spending the money to fix. People say, "Buy a Toyota. They last forever". But when it doesn't last "forever", they think Toyota should step up to the plate and fix it for free. Ask someone with a Ford, Chevy, or Dodge, how many major repairs they paid for before the vehicle even had 100k on it. I simpathize with your situation, but at 146k, I'm sure you have spent very little on repairs so far. Yes, it's well known the 05 and early 06 Tacos had head gasket issues, but 146k is hardly early mileage failure. If I were in your shoes, I would look into putting in a newer low mileage engine from a wrecking yard and enjoy the truck for many more years.

 

Sounds like your cheapest option is to find a lower mileage 4.0 from a junkyard Tacoma or 4runner and swap the motor. I would assume you can get a used motor for around 1k without accessories, maybe less.

I did this on a v6 pontiac which had a cracked head. Got the motor for $400 from a car that had the ass-end all smashed in. Swapped accessories on the garage floor, return old motor for something like a $75 core charge.

 

There is however a rumor that F-150's are just starting to be able to hit 200,000 miles...

 

Best suggestion so far, and best done at an independent shop.

 

A guy at my work suggested I do an easier way to check if it is the head gasket that is failing. Check the oil dipstick to see if it smells of coolant. Also have the hoses to the radiator checked. I would think the service department would have checked that already.

 

Guy at your work doesn't know what he's talking about. Do this instead on a cold engine:

 

So, just how long should a manufacturer be on the hook for this type of problem?

 

Buy a Toyota they said, it last forever they said, LIES

 

Don't let the dealer fix it, Find a local mechanic like I did and have them fix it. It will be cheaper!!!! My 2005 is sitting at 193,685 miles now and I wouldn't trade it for anything else. I caught mine early to where there wasn't any other damage and the hole in the gasket was very small and the heads didn't need any work done.

 

I don’t get why we have to pay for a manufactured issue

 

Why don't we recall the brake pads and spark plugs too? How dare something fail 18 years later!

Seriously I don't understand people, if its safety it should be a recall, why should something maintenance be a damned recall?