Midget96

Very disappointed, but happy at the same time. Was doing a little road trip around AZ a few days ago. Went up north around Payson and Show Low to see the snow.

Heading out of Show Low on Hwy 60, the truck started hesitating. Was doing about 60 MPH, and right after the hesitation there was a sound like a frayed belt flapping around. Pulled off, popped the hood, and saw no damage to any of the belts. Felt on the timing belt covers and didn't feel anything slapping against it.

Decided to drive toward some sort of civilization, and about 30 sec after I got back on the road, the CEL came on, and the RPM went to 5000 instantly. I assume at the moment it went from a V6 to a V5, and it's diesel like sound leads me to believe that the rod cap was thrown off, leaving that piston lodged in the cylinder bore.

Luckily, I was able to make it to the only gas station for 30 miles in either direction right before the Salt River Canyon. Got a free 210 mile tow back to Phoenix with my insurance.

Haven't dropped the oil pan yet, but I've very curious to see what the damage is. Pissed I JUST changed the oil a few days before this with Mobil 1. Waste of $30.

For a few weeks prior to this I was smelling a burning belt odor every once in awhile. I wonder what that was or if it had any bearing on this engine failure. Engine only had 220K on it. Always used synthetic oil (Amsoil or Mobil) every 8000-10000 miles (whenever it started to get dirty). I wonder if my VERY early '96 5VZ was the cause of this. I know it had the head gasket recall done, and who knows what other bugs they had in the first few thousand V6 4Runners (mine is SN#3022).

No worries thought. My 1UZ had shipped out the day before this happened. Should have it next week. Didn't plan on doing this swap so soon, but I guess I have no choice but to jump right in now!

Not a good week for anything Toyota, I guess.

Matt16

Didn't know the 5VZE even had a head gasket recall. Seriously bad luck, I think I've heard of one other 3.4 bottom end going bad and that was because of a massive sludge buildup.

mt_goat

I've heard of broken rods popping a hole in the block. Interesting it went to 5000 rpms.

Midget96

Yeah I've seen a few of those threads where there's a gaping hole in the block. Glad that didn't happen, because I plan on turning this block into a table when it's all said and done.

I've got the documents from the original owner. Around 20K miles it had both head gaskets replaced per some sort of recall. I'll have to dig them out, but I thinking early 5VZs share some of the issues of truck-based 3VZs, and then some.

rimpainter.com

Actually the early 96's and some 97's had an external flaw in the passenger side gasket. They just replaced both when the campaign was active. Occasionally, if bad, it would cause coolant to leak down the side of the block. This is much different than the 3VZ HG issues.

Anyway, still sucks that this happened to you. But it sounds like you have things under control (1UZ? Nice!). 210 miles back to PHX, whoa! I can only imagine how much that bill was!

(the information above was per the shop foreman at Tempe Toyota when I had mine done back in '02).

RMA

Ive seen more 3.4s throw rods out the side of a block than a 3.0 .

more 3.0s with the head gasket problem than the 3.4s .

I believe both motors share the same main bearings and thrust washers .

Going with the 1uz , cant wait for all the pics , you going auto or manual.

FogRunner

Any idea how the oil pressure was in the days, weeks proceeding your engine's demise ?



FOG

icerunner

What weight Mobil 1 Oil were you using, and type/brand of oil filter..? just curious?
Thanks

MillerPKA

Guessing the valve cover recall isn't still applicable?

rimpainter.com

I assume you mean the HG recall...? If so, you are correct, the campaign is over.

Midget96

No clue what the oil pressure was. I always keep tabs on the oil level, though. Doesn't burn oil, but I would usually have to add about half a quart throughout my long drain intervals. Oil was Mobil 1 0W30 and a Purolator Pure One filter. Good stuff!

Luckily, my insurance was kick ass. Didn't even ask the driver what the tab was, but he said my insurance's auto club told him it was fully covered. Gave him a $20 tip and 15 lbs. of citrus off my trees since he had a 4 hour drive back to Show Low at 11PM!

Your 1UZ thread and Smitherz are definitely great sources of info on this swap. It's quite intimidating, because it's nowhere near as simple as the weekend Honda swaps I've done in the past. But all the fabbing and headaches seem like it'll be worth while in the end.

I'm so glad I went with a 1UZ rather than blowing money on a supercharger and crap for the 5VZ. This certainly was a blessing in disguise.

As soon as I'm able, I'll drop the pan and check out the damage. Have no wheels on the truck right now; awaiting some BFG M/Ts from Discount Tire since they're letting me swap out the wretched Goodyear Duratracs I just bought.

Build thread to commence as soon as I have tires. Sound proofed and insulated interior, a lot of under hood stuff, new paint here and there, gauges, remote oil filters and coolers. Lots of good stuff to come from this whole debacle!

Briscoec

I lost a lower unit on my out board motor this summer using Amsoil hypoid marine gear oil. Never Amsoil again.for me. The oil came out black and thin, no water contamination. It Was oil failure. The oil only had 50 hrs on it. Amsoil told me to send them a sample at my expense. Oh no. Amsoil cam bite me. Their oil is garbage. That is the only oil failure I have ever experienced. Stick with Mobil 1.

hross14

Was it possible something else was happening with your gears? I have only had good luck with Amsoil. Not to mention, when i pulled my tranny/motor----even after having been drained and sitting for close to a year--you could still feel the "cushion" the oil provided to the gears

mt_goat

Fuel contamination maybe, you should have taken them up on the UOA test. You might have learned what the problem was.

Briscoec

Oh no, there was no fuel in my lower unit. It was oil failure. Amsoil hypoid gear oil burned up my lower unit on my 140 horse suzuki outboard. $1200 in parts alone that my warranty paid for. Maybe their motor oil is good. But what disappointed me about the gear oil is they had some extra duty hypoid gear oil, a couple of more bucks a qt. What? Plus, if Amsoil had any credibility they would have sent me a prepaid label. Amsoil, \ / ahhhh

Matt90V6SR5

Wretched Duratracs?...can you elaborate? Im planning on buying a set.

annoyingrob

Think about it. You put a hole in your piston, the intake valves open up, and the remaining 5 cylinders suck air in through the crank case, through the hole, into the intake manifold. I'm not familiar with the 5vz, but if it's MAP based, fuel will be added accoringly.

mt_goat

Oh....gotcha. Thanks for the explaination on that.