CoedNaked

I have a bit of a theory - if you keep your cooling system in top shape, oil included, your 3vze is super reliable.

For example - I got a buddy with the exact same truck as mine, same year, engine, etc. only his is blue. I was telling him last fall how I figured that if you keep your cooling system in top shape, as mine was with a new rad, waterpump, thermostat, etc. and your oil changed regularly, that the 3vze will go forever. And he said "bullÅÅÅÅ, I've been down a liter of coolant for the past few monthes, and my rad has a few pinholes in it, etc." (and he had abotu 190,000 miles on his at the time) So I told him I thought he should replace his rad but he disagreed with me. Well about 2 or 3 weeks later he changes the rad, perhaps he was a little worried by my comments but didn't acknowledge me, and shortly after he replaces his rad, his headgasket blows.

Well he's got a new fully rebuilt engine right now, new rad, cooling system in top shape now ironically (his truck never had the headgasket recall done on it, so he got it done and actually got a new shortblock).

So if you keep your cooling system in top shape, are headgasket and other issues with the 3vze a non-issue?

Jeffires

I think you are right. My truck had the head gasket recall done before any problems ever developed. After it was repaired, we always kept the coolant and oil full and clean. I got a new radiator right when mine began to leak. That radiator has been on there about 8 years, and recently I removed it and had it melted down and re-rodded. I flushed the block very well. I flush my crankcase every other oil change.

I probably go overboard with maintenance like that, but the only problem I have with 195K is some small oil leaks, and a power steering leak.

The radiator removed:


While I had it out, I cleaned my condenser from the back. With the 134a I recently added, my AC is cold as ever.



I think that very clean engine oil and coolant will help over the long run.