[evtiska]

Well every dog has his day. I was just told by Toyota customer service headquarters that my '91 3VZ-e pickup is eligible under both the SSC 50N steering relay rod recall and the VO-6 Head Gasket recall and that I should expect no grief from my local dealership on these two fronts. My truck has a sweet smelling exhaust and pretty big oil leaks out of the oil pan gasket and front crankshaft seal. I don't really know if it burns any oil because its too busy leaking it all. I haven't noticed any significant loss of coolant yet. Despite all this the truck runs great. (needs some ball joints, susp bushings, and a rear brake job though)

My question is this: Do I wait until things are really fubar, getting the most mileage out of my current HG and hoping I destroy my heads and warp a valve in the process so Toyota has to pony-up for a new engine (all damage as a result of defective gaskets have to be replaced at Toyota's expense) or do I not look a gift horse in the mouth and run to my nearest dealer demanding they replace the hgs (even though I have no hard evidence they're even on the way out)--and do the seals in the process-- before this special service campaign is revoked.

 

[Jayota]

"sweet smelling exhaust" Dead giveaway for a bad headgasket

Yes, go get your hg done, by the sounds of it, you have been running it in its current state for awhile. If your shop is reputable, they will do whats right.

My engine was fubard when its hg blew, toyota put in a brand new longblock.


So in short - yes go get all your recalls done.

If you want, now would be the time to add a front lift to your truck (and do your balljoints), they need to realign your front end when they do the relay-rod. According to toyota, they need to replace whatever stops them from doing a proper alignment ( tie rod ends and so on).

 

[evtiska]

Thanks Jay. I kind of had a feeling I should go that route. I don't need a lift but I don't mind spending a few extra bucks while the dealer is getting into all this. Any suggestions?

Off the top of my own head I think:
New Oil Pump
New Timing Belt (I have no idea when the last one was changed)

 

[Jayota]

I had a few things done to my engine - they charged only for the parts - labor was free since the engine was apart.

 

[93greenpickup]

I had a few things done to my engine - they charged only for the parts - labor was free since the engine was apart.

\

Same here, paid for parts for a few other things, labor free.

 

[evtiska]

I'm getting the whole "Only 8 years or 100,000 miles" thing from the dealer even though I've had the exact wording that says indefinite status read to me over the phone by regional customer care. I've had to open a case file.

This will eventually go my way if I squawk enough won't it?

 

[Jayota]

I have heard of them refusing to do the recal if you are over the limits - but others that do it anyways. Sorry not much help from me.

 

[evtiska]

Head Gasket Recall Lives

Ok, I've been all over the web and toyota forums there still seems to be some confusion about this. Yes, the HG recall is still going on. How to get it done with the least amount of hassle:

1. Call 1-800-331-4331 and give them your VIN #. They will tell you if you are eligible. The ongoing recall really only applies to 3VZ-Es manufactured between Jan '90 and Oct '94.(That includes some early 95s) If you are eligible, tell them you'd like to start a case file with an ID number because you know your local dealer isn't going to go gentle on this and you might need their help. Remember the person's name you spoke to and after you're done tell them you had a good experience and you'd like to be transfered to the survey (presumably to give them high scores, this may come in handy later as it did with me).

2. Go to www.alldatadiy.com. Pay the 20 bucks to get access to all the technical service bulletins regarding your model. Go under engines and click on "recalls" on the left hand side. The latest VO6 special service campaign memo to ALL TOYOTA DEALER PRINCIPLES SERVICE MANAGERS, PARTS MANAGERS. This document is nice because it explains the old "Special Policy Adjustment" and the new "Special Service Campaign." The box worth all the marbles says this: "Under the Special Service Campaign Program, the head gaskets will be replaced on all the affected vehicles regardless of leakage or not, and there will not be any age, mileage or time restrictions under the Special Service Campaign.

3. Inform your dealer. They will either tell you:

a) Ok. Bring er in.
b) Dream on
c) That was only for 8 years or 100k.

If "b" or "c" tell them their info isn't up to date. Say that in Dec of '97 Toyota modified the recall (must have been lobby pressure from TN). Say there has been understandable confusion because the modification was a "Special Service Campaign" for a "Special Policy Adjustment Warranty Extension" for a "Special Policy Adjustment" for the original VO6 Head Gasket Recall. Say, who can be expected to keep up with this, but it means there are no time limits or mileage restrictions for your vehicle. The service rep will be dumbfounded, but tell them they work for just such a great company, a company that will issue an indefinite recall, for thousands in work and labor, on an 18-year-old car with an original "bad" part. Fax them your documents. If they still wont comply tell them to contact customer corporate in CA, ask for [insert name you remembered] and reference your case # and then that person you were nice to before will bombard them with documentation and tell them it isn't all just a bad dream.

4. Tell the tech assigned to your vehicle you'll buy him a 6-pack if he follows to the campaign letter the "Technical Instructions For Cylinder Head/Block Inspection," which if at all damaged in a vehicle with a blown gasket needs to be replaced under the warranty.

5. Spend the days wondering what "extras" they're going to come up with to make this worth their while.

 

[XcesiveSlyd]

I'm pretty far over the limit but I may pursue this. I'll post up the results in the coming weeks.

 

[toytruck89]

I've got 212 on mine. But it runs so well I'm afraid they'll just F-up a good thing. What do you guys think?