Coolant Leaking problems of the 2004 Toyota Highlander

We have a vehicle with a 2. 4liter/4 cylinger engine that is loosing oil at a rate of 1qrt per 1000 miles and now there is a coolant leak coming from the gasket seal between the engine block and head. There is no guage that tells you how much oil is missing until it's too late and the engine starts to over heat. Both the oil and coolant is leaking on roads, parking lots and driveways, what we have found is that the bolts that are nearest the leak are stripped, they either stripped in assembly or flailed do to overheating of the block do to the engine block not having sufficient cooling because of a heavy foam pad that restricts air floe around the engine causing the head to flex and leak at the gasket seal based on online complaints there are hundreds, if not thousands of owners with this same problem. Seems that some of these engines are having success by drilling, tapping and inserting new coils into the aluminum block, which may or may not be a permanent solution. It seems that Toyota is aware of the problem and refuses to repair the damage. The most common suggested repair is to replace the motor and we assume that they problem will happen again since they have redesigned the problem. . Replacement is at the owners cost for materials and labor at approx $6,000-$8,000.

Vehicle was driven normally and parked. While parked, owner noticed small leak under front axle, investigated and leak appeared to be transmission fluid or antifreeze. Owner drove vehicle next day, parked and noticed leak was larger. Owner took vehicle to dealer next morning and was told the head gasket was failing. Dealer said alternatives were to repair head gasket ($3200+), replace engine or buy another vehicle. Owner declined repair and took vehicle to independent mechanic, who confirmed head gasket leak and recommended either sealant ($250) or head gasket repair ($1200). Owner chose sealant. About four days after sealant fix, owner was driving vehicle and stopped at a starbucks drive-through. Minutes into the wait, the vehicles temp gauge began to climb rapidly. Owner revved engine and temp declined. Owner drove vehicle home and inspected engine, discovered coolant had begun to spray from overflow reservoir. Owner let vehicle cool. Next day, owner drove vehicle at modest speed across town, watching the temp gauge. Temp would increase incrementally, then decline, but no overheating appeared. Third day, owner did same, but this time, as owner approached his home, the temp gauge shot to red. Owner parked in driveway, opened hood and found overflow reservoir bubbling, coolant spray and overflow on frame. Prior to these incidents, about one year ago the owner had been told by Toyota dealer that a few engine mounts were cracked and needed replacement, which was done. No other major repairs or issues have existed with vehicle. Vehicle is not 10 years old, its 103,500 miles has been generally light highway and short-distance city driving. Oil and other maintenance has been routinely performed.

The threads in the engine block became striped leaking coolant into the engine/pistons. Recommendation was to replace the engine.

Vehicle began leaking coolant from the center of the engine. No warning lights or sensors have gone off period. Called Toyota dealership and manufacture line and both told me they have never heard of the problem, which is untrue I found hundreds of individuals with the same issue.

The threads in the engine block became striped leaking coolant into the engine/pistons, blowing the head gasket.