3VZE vs. 22RE
03-16-2005, 01:44 PM
#22
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Originally Posted by CoedNaked
I'll take the 22re AND the 3vze!
I think the 3vze is one hell of a reliable engine. Significantly more reliable than other manufacturers of the era these engines were produced. The 22RE is also a reliable engine - more reliable than the 3vze? I don't think so.
The one hindering thing with the 3vze that lots of mostly non owner "theorists," seem to like to point out when debating the merits of the 3vze vs 22RE or other engines they think they know well is the headgasket problem. But I think something needs to be made very clear about the head gasket "problem." First, it is not a Problem. The headgasket put in these vehicles at the factory was the WRONG head gasket. Wrong in terms of design, or material, probably a bit of both. When Toyota put the Right head gasket in, either with the last year (95) of the 4runner/pickup with the 3vze, or through the recall, the 3vze is every bit as reliable as the 22re. If they were just replacing the head gasket during the recall with the same one they put in the factory when the truck was built, and the recalled head gasket wasn't holding up, then it would be a problem. But the redesigned proper headgasket holds up, so it is not a "problem." Calling it a problem would insinuate that it reptitively occurs in this truck. But it is clear that it does not. It may have happened once - with the original head gasket if the dealer didn't get to it first with the recall, but when it's taken care of, it's taken care of. People seem to forget that the 22re has a skeleton on the closet in the timing chain. This slight flaw can also be fixed by changing the timing chain more regularly (i.e. paying attention to its maintenance) or buying metal timing chain guides over the stock plastic ones. But when both of these flaws are addressed with the fixes available, these engines are simply flawless! (if that makes any sense).
I think the 3vze is one hell of a reliable engine. Significantly more reliable than other manufacturers of the era these engines were produced. The 22RE is also a reliable engine - more reliable than the 3vze? I don't think so.
The one hindering thing with the 3vze that lots of mostly non owner "theorists," seem to like to point out when debating the merits of the 3vze vs 22RE or other engines they think they know well is the headgasket problem. But I think something needs to be made very clear about the head gasket "problem." First, it is not a Problem. The headgasket put in these vehicles at the factory was the WRONG head gasket. Wrong in terms of design, or material, probably a bit of both. When Toyota put the Right head gasket in, either with the last year (95) of the 4runner/pickup with the 3vze, or through the recall, the 3vze is every bit as reliable as the 22re. If they were just replacing the head gasket during the recall with the same one they put in the factory when the truck was built, and the recalled head gasket wasn't holding up, then it would be a problem. But the redesigned proper headgasket holds up, so it is not a "problem." Calling it a problem would insinuate that it reptitively occurs in this truck. But it is clear that it does not. It may have happened once - with the original head gasket if the dealer didn't get to it first with the recall, but when it's taken care of, it's taken care of. People seem to forget that the 22re has a skeleton on the closet in the timing chain. This slight flaw can also be fixed by changing the timing chain more regularly (i.e. paying attention to its maintenance) or buying metal timing chain guides over the stock plastic ones. But when both of these flaws are addressed with the fixes available, these engines are simply flawless! (if that makes any sense).
awesome.
Last edited by FingerMan20; 03-16-2005 at 01:45 PM.
03-16-2005, 11:07 PM
#25
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The 3VZE is so reliable i drove mine 400 miles on a bad knock sensor without too much worry even though it was crapping in and out going up hills alot. Overall this os one saweeet engine in terms of reliability even if it can be a PITA to reach certain things ( oil filter *cough cough* ).
Last edited by ctcost; 03-16-2005 at 11:08 PM.
03-17-2005, 04:40 AM
#26
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224,000 miles here and the original headgasket to boot.
As for the #6 exhaust valve burning, that's a new one to me.
Toyota finally got the headgaskets right sometime in '95, so unless you get a real bargain on an earlier version, I think I'd pass. And to tell you the truth, I wouldn't buy a 3.0 without thinking about the $2-4,000 to replace the engine when it does die, which it will. Most of these vehicles with this engine are 10+ years old now, which means age related problems may start showing up. I'm already preparing myself for the day when my 3.0 goes.
But it would be the same story on a 22re. They're getting old also. They also had a few problems, like making sure you replace the timing chain every 100K or so, replacing the fuel filter, the long and winding intake tube, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.
Most vehicles have a dark side if you live with them long enough.
As for the #6 exhaust valve burning, that's a new one to me.
Toyota finally got the headgaskets right sometime in '95, so unless you get a real bargain on an earlier version, I think I'd pass. And to tell you the truth, I wouldn't buy a 3.0 without thinking about the $2-4,000 to replace the engine when it does die, which it will. Most of these vehicles with this engine are 10+ years old now, which means age related problems may start showing up. I'm already preparing myself for the day when my 3.0 goes.
But it would be the same story on a 22re. They're getting old also. They also had a few problems, like making sure you replace the timing chain every 100K or so, replacing the fuel filter, the long and winding intake tube, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.
Most vehicles have a dark side if you live with them long enough.
03-17-2005, 06:38 AM
#28
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Originally Posted by gwhayduke
One more thing...NEVER buy a 3.0 with an automatic tranny. You'll get 15mpg...The same as a Landcruiser.
03-17-2005, 07:40 AM
#30
202000 miles on a 3.0, 1988 4runner.
I have the auto tranny and if I got 20 mpg I would do cartwheels. I might get it on the highway, but no way i get that in town or with mixed driving. I am FAR from a leadfoot.
I have the auto tranny and if I got 20 mpg I would do cartwheels. I might get it on the highway, but no way i get that in town or with mixed driving. I am FAR from a leadfoot.
03-17-2005, 08:15 AM
#31
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Originally Posted by Bumpin' Yota
I wouldnt say that....keep the foot out of the gas and it will get 20+mpg on highway all day long on mine...
Last edited by ctcost; 03-17-2005 at 08:17 AM.
03-17-2005, 09:54 AM
#32
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one time on a drive from nashville to gainesville I was drafting at 60mph all downhill....got 27mpg for the first tank leaving the mountains. 50% of the driving was just turning off the OD and letting the truck idle down the hill while drafting...LOL
03-17-2005, 10:31 AM
#33
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Originally Posted by Bumpin' Yota
one time on a drive from nashville to gainesville I was drafting at 60mph all downhill....got 27mpg for the first tank leaving the mountains. 50% of the driving was just turning off the OD and letting the truck idle down the hill while drafting...LOL
As far as the Engines go I think both are equally good, my dad has a 3.0 in his truck and I have the 22re in my runner. I love them both.
03-17-2005, 11:02 AM
#34
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Too funny! 
Originally Posted by Bumpin' Yota
one time on a drive from nashville to gainesville I was drafting at 60mph all downhill....got 27mpg for the first tank leaving the mountains. 50% of the driving was just turning off the OD and letting the truck idle down the hill while drafting...LOL
03-17-2005, 02:48 PM
#35
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I like the 3vze in the runner, the 22re would be a little underpowered for me. I only get around 18 on the HWY, but better than the 13-15 from the exploder, and 10 mpg from the fj40. Some day I would like to get a 94 or so p/u with the 4 banger to bounce off rocks and get great mpg too. I like em both!
03-17-2005, 03:51 PM
#36
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Originally Posted by Bumpin' Yota
I wouldnt say that....keep the foot out of the gas and it will get 20+mpg on highway all day long on mine...
Come on out and we'll show ya some elevation.
03-17-2005, 07:36 PM
#37
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Well all i know is that i get around 300+ miles on my 95 3VZE on a full tank with an auto tranny.
I do alot of my driving on highways and since its an auto i usually end up taking the OD off on steep hills.
I manage my car well enough change the oil myself and just replaced the transmission fluid and filter.
I like the car. I can drive from Seattle to Portland and almost the entire way back with 1 tank.
I do alot of my driving on highways and since its an auto i usually end up taking the OD off on steep hills.
I manage my car well enough change the oil myself and just replaced the transmission fluid and filter.
I like the car. I can drive from Seattle to Portland and almost the entire way back with 1 tank.
08-21-2008, 10:19 PM
#38
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Not all 3VZE's had the head gasket problem. If you were one of the lucky one's, your engine should run like a champ for a very long time. Someone at Toyota told me it was the head design and the placement of the water jackets. I've heard many people who have replaced the recall motor and had the new replacement blown again and again. I would just go with the 22re and some low gears.
08-21-2008, 11:17 PM
#39
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I like the 3.0. It seems to idle smoother than the 22RE, and has more power. I'm not gonna sit here and try to make anyone believe that the 3.0 is the pinnacle of Toyota engineering, because it does have it's flaws, but it seems to be healthy with 207K on it, and that's all that really matters to me right now. The MPG isn't terrible on it either.....well not THAT bad. And so what if it's a turd off the line, or up hills, or even on straight lines, it's an SUV, not a race car.
