Whiplash Willy

I sold my 93 22re pickup a few years back at with 170k miles, because the engine was dieing, and I didn't have the time to fix it, and I wanted to move up to a 3rd gen runner. Now I really regret selling my pickup and am looking into buying another one. The problem is, all I can ever find in the 3rd gen pickups with extended cabs is the 3vze v6. I have heard alot of bad things about this engine, but are they so bad that I shouldn't consider buying a pickup with one?

Honestly, I was never a big fan of my 22re. I had problems with the nuts holding on the valve cover coming loose, and if tightened too tight, the lifters would hit it. Not to mention it was pretty much gone at 170k miles (Probley from previous owner neglect) but I never experienced the legendary greatness of the 22re.

It is hard enough these days finding a good 3rd gen pickup, especially one with an extended cab, without a V6. Can a properly maintained 3vze be as reliable as a 22re?

BeMiceElf

iTrader: (1)

There are several other threads about this.

Probably with the same title....

mlitz69

As long as u take care of it I don't see why not my 91 4runner had 250,000 on it and never had any probs with it

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Not Toyotas best V6 by any means but still better than buying a J***

:wabbit2:

snobdds

This has been the topic of so many threads, on this forum alone. There is actually a thread named pretty close to the same as yours. I think most people have said there peace and moved on.

You will be better served to read that thread then start a new one on a topic, quite frankly, people are board with...

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...ad-some-96604/
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...-motor-254023/

Edit: Bemicelf be me to it.

HighLux

I've had 2 of them. How many have you had?
Both were turds.

They are a terrible engine.

How many engines have you ever taken apart?

MudHippy

meisentones

I've had (2) 22REs and currently DD the 3VZE...Have taken them both apart...niether is easy, both are gurranteed to bloody some knuckles.

While I am looking forward to the 3VZE failing so I have a reason for a 3.4 swap...Mine is an 89, and unfortunately it keeps kickin without a hiccup, ..."avoid like aids" is a gross exageration.

The 3VZE is not an efficient motor but it does turn my 33s much better than the 22RE. I'd buy either motor again in a heartbeat if the deal is right.

If you find either one that the price matches the condition...you'll be fine.

Like everyone said, this topic has been worn out, and bringing it up you're guranteed to get strong opinions on both sides.

I just had to defend the aids statement, cause the only toyota thing I'd avoid like aids...would be if the motor was submerged in salt water.

JohnnyCanuck

Ignore the extreme comments; 'it's the best engine/it's the worst' (aka highlux). Read the other threads. I have no problems with mine, runs like a top, decent mileage.

snobdds

That is a big accusation. The burden of proof is in your hands...let see it.

Gamefreakgc

Whoa now, chill out guys. No need to get nasty.

I can try and give an answer with a little bias as I can, seeing that I own a 91 Pickup with a 3VZ-E.

Fact: These engines do have a history of head gaskets issues. Toyota recalled them a while back to help fix this.
Fact: They are difficult to work on if you buy one that needs serious engine repair due to how cramped everything is in the engine bay (compared to a 22RE or other Toyota engines)
Fact: 3VZ-E's with automatic transmissions tend to have more issues than manual transmissions as they age. Not all of them but overall. However, this could be said for any engine on any make once you start going over 200k miles.

Opinion: My truck has 280k miles and has decent power after a muffler job. Better than a 22RE but not spectacular. I expect to go well over 300k with the ORIGINAL engine.
Opinion: Even though the 3VZ-E is not Toyota's best design (worked great new but ages poorly), it's still better than getting a Ford!

Like others said, the price should be right. You can expect some work on these engines, especially if you're over 200k miles. But with a little TLC they run just fine.

85celicagthatchback

3vz are ok if built right factory they suck theres no compression=no torque= no turning big tires. like most toyota engines the cylinder heads dont flow enough air to make good power and dont have ahigh enough compression ratio and have ˟˟˟˟y feul and spark management. the reason everyone love the 3.45vz is cuz they make good power and only do so due to good fuel and air management. if u get one rebuild it out the gate. last 3vz i built rosted the 33's it had with the stock 4.10 gears. also its about keeping the motor in tune. also every toyota engine 22re,3vz,5vz,3sf,5sf are under injectored which mean the injectors toyota used stock are to small for the power the engine can make. so fix the problems toyota gave use and good up keep will keep u smiling for a long time.

4runnerJC

My son just bought a 1990 4runner 5 speed on 35's and yes it's a slug. It has the 4.10 gears, running the V6 motor. It has 269,000 miles on it and it runs good(for a slug). My wife has the 4.7 V8 land cruiser and that thing has had issues with the TPS and alternator. I think it's all about how you maintain them and you either get a well built motor to begin with or you don't.

yotasavg

Listen, I hate my 3.0, but the fact of the matter is that it just wont quit... Every time something goes wrong I think it's time for a v8 and then it just keeps going... The 3.0 is like that friend that everyone bags on just because it's always been that way forever.

ksti

^^^ Here we go again, this is why I hate these 3vze threads (rosted the 33's, 410 gears, ****y feul, injectored and Blah Blah Blah.
Wheres the dyno sheets? and also your spelling would give a dead person a heart attack!

ROCKLAND TOYOTA

I was gonna say your comments are a waste of time but i see that award goes to that 1985 CELICA your so proud of.....

bone collector

I love my 3vze. Its a brute. Good torque, decent mpg, good highway speeds (unlike a 22re) need to be maintained but its a good motor. Ive had a 22r and a 3vze. I will take a 3vze any day of the week

Yotalover01

I've owned both and I like my 3.0 just fine! It is my current daily driver and it doesn't get near the mpg as my 22re did but it's also like driving a race car compared to my 22re! They're just like anything else my friend, you've got to take care of them and they'll perform better and last longer!

yotasavg

Same here, owned both, have driven stick and auto versions of both, 2wd's too. I feel the same way as these cats, especially once I got my 5.29's, gooooood to go!

NickMiller

My 88 3VZ has over 250,000 on it (it always had 31's w/4.10's so more like 275K)and it's still running strong! When I first got it it ran pretty rough (PO did no maintenance), but now after a couple of seafoam treatments, new filters, new oil, etc it runs great! Even with the auto tranny I can pick UP speed on some pretty steep hills around here. Honestly, it's not THAT bad of an engine... It just seems bad when you compare it to how great the 22r/5VZ is!