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So I am diving into the 3VZE. Depending on what we find will depend on how far down the rabbit hole we go.
HISTORY: I purchased a decent 95 4Runner a few months ago that now has 240,000 miles on it. The head gaskets replaced in mid 2013 and the vehicle seems to be well maintained from the original owner. I have been fixing misc issues for the past few weeks and am ready to dive in.
Issues
Valve cover gaskets leaking both sides
Oil leaking from rear of engine close to heads (PCV or valve cover?)
Rough idle some low end surging when cold
Unknown PCV condition or age
Possible vacuum leak (vacuum tested low at 12)
Seems to be under powered even with 5 speed 4.56 gears and 31s
Plan of action
Pull upper intake manifold clean and replace gaskets
Test compression on all cylinders
Verify engine does not need rebuild and meets minimal specs
Pressure test cooling system at 15lbs
Replace valve cover gasket and PCV
Any advice or help is welcome. I will update this thread with pictures and progress
I definitely have some valve noise. I will have to research it a little more and see if I can find the SST some where. I probably should brake down and do the timing belt but I have never done one on a Toyota.
So checked compression on the drivers side with the passenger side plugs in. Cylinder #2 150psi, Cylinder #4 152psi, Cylinder #6 143psi. I will re test with all the plugs and upper intake manifold off but that's not horrible with 240,000 miles IMOP
Putting 15psi of pressure on the cooling system. After a few minuets I noticed it dropped about a pound
The good news is I found a slight leak near the drivers side rear valve cover at the little T fitting. Tonight I will get it fixed and try to pressurize it again.
I have the following leftover my from 95, 3.0L.
Toyota OEM:all new in box
Gasket, Oil Cooler 15785-35010
Washer,SE 90210-22001
Oring 90301-61003
Felpro - Circular Plug ES 72308
Replace all your coolant hose clamps as the ones on from the pics look old
if you have a probe or bore scope (dont know the proper term) take the spark plug of cylinder 6 and check to ensure there is no water in the cylinder. If there is, you have a bad head gasket
"Oil leaking from rear of engine close to heads (PCV or valve cover?)" That is the valve cover gasket and both half moons might need to be replaced as well
I figured I would pull both heads. Once the heads are off we should be able to figure out if the compression issue is from the heads or rings. It's kind of looking like a burnt valve on cylinder 5 and that might account for the valve train noise. I talked to a local machine shop that has done work for me in the past and they estimated about $400 to do both heads assuming they are not cracked or damaged so that doesn't sound to bad.
If I can keep the price down I may throw a set of LCE headers on but I still need to do more research.
Going to work on getting the exhaust manifolds and timing cover off today if I get some free time. I want to see what the timing belt looks like and if the timing marks are lining up or if it has jumped a tooth.
Now as far as preparation I know I am at the very minimal going to need the following
Toyota timing belt ($45 from dealer)
Toyota tensioner ($60 from dealer)
Lower intake manifold gasket (still need to source)
Injectors replaced, cleaned, or upgraded (undecided at this time)
Toyota throttle body gasket (I already have one)
Toyota valve cover gaskets (I already have a set)
Toyota thermostat (still need to source)
Head gaskets (considering OEM gaskets)
Exhaust manifold gaskets (still need to source)
Going to work on getting the exhaust manifolds and timing cover off today if I get some free time. I want to see what the timing belt looks like and if the timing marks are lining up or if it has jumped a tooth.
Now as far as preparation I know I am at the very minimal going to need the following
Lower intake manifold gasket (still need to source)
Injectors replaced, cleaned, or upgraded (undecided at this time)
Toyota thermostat (still need to source)
Head gaskets (considering OEM gaskets)
Exhaust manifold gaskets (still need to source)
Any thing else I should address?
Regarding the stuff you still need, if the dealer doesn't have them, I would go aftermarket, RockAuto.com specifically as they have good pricing.
For the injectors, if they are original, I would replace them with a good OE or OEM set. If you get upgraded ones, you really wont see a difference with performance.
If the Head Gasket is still in good shape, I would just do a tune up and replace the other items mentioned:
"Probably will replace the timing belt, water pump, and timing tensioner since I am already in there. "
Plugs
Cap & Rotor - (dealer sells these for about $40 - $50)
Cams are out, all head bolts removed but the exhaust manifolds are fighting me. I was able to get the three bolt flange off on the exhaust. Now I need to get the six bolts out of the exhaust manifolds and the heads should be out.
Good news is the cams look like they are in good shape.
06-14-2016, 05:42 AM
