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WHY IS THE 3vze so bad to some

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Old 10-07-2006, 12:27 PM
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WHY IS THE 3vze so bad to some

I would really like to no why so meny people hate this motor. I no some people that have this motor, and haven't had problems at all in 189K miles.tell me why it is so bad? and what you like and dislike about it

Last edited by keithguts; 10-07-2006 at 12:48 PM.
Old 10-07-2006, 01:00 PM
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I think its a good motor, just on the weak side.
Old 10-07-2006, 01:39 PM
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and a bit hard to get around and work on.
Old 10-07-2006, 02:05 PM
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I-6 or diesel
maybe a 3.4

I had a 3.slow and they good... but your not going to win a drag race.
Old 10-07-2006, 02:05 PM
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I wouldnt want one due to mileage. Havent heard anyone say, "damn fine mileage, great get up and go." ALways see it called 3.slow.
Old 10-07-2006, 02:31 PM
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No power
Serious head gasket problems that have led to the death of many a 3VZE.
2 valve design seriously limits performance modifications.
Performance mods that usually good gains have little effect on the 3VZE.
Oiling issues leading to the death of lots.
Old 10-07-2006, 02:40 PM
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Originally Posted by MonsterMaxx
No power
Serious head gasket problems that have led to the death of many a 3VZE.
2 valve design seriously limits performance modifications.
Performance mods that usually good gains have little effect on the 3VZE.
Oiling issues leading to the death of lots.
What do you mean by oil problems.
Old 10-07-2006, 02:43 PM
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I take it you don't have an auto tranny. Most complaints come from those w/ auto tranny. Plus it's cool to boast V8 gas mileage with V6 power! I like the reliability on mine so far, but with the auto it really lacks in power especially in the mountains.
Old 10-07-2006, 02:49 PM
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Originally Posted by slosurfer
I take it you don't have an auto tranny. Most complaints come from those w/ auto tranny. Plus it's cool to boast V8 gas mileage with V6 power! I like the reliability on mine so far, but with the auto it really lacks in power especially in the mountains.
Yes mine is an auto, and I don't do much off road. is yous a 3.0 also?
Old 10-07-2006, 03:01 PM
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My theory is that most people have bought their trucks/4runners pre-owned. When these engines where new they ran great, strong and would get mileage close to a 22re IF you kept your foot away from the floor. I bought mine new and it ran like a rocket with the 5speed and added manuel hubs. On numerous occasions I would "race" my friend's taco and I would always be right on his butt. After about 8yrs it began running low on power and gas mileage. My taco friend even took notice when I would be lagging by more than one car length. I tried several things but could not sovle the problem and unfortunately it came time to down size my stable and out went the 4runner. If I was the one to buy my 4runner after the power loss I too would join the 3.slow club and I guess most people are in this boat.

Last edited by Bear80; 10-07-2006 at 03:16 PM.
Old 10-07-2006, 03:09 PM
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Originally Posted by keithguts
Yes mine is an auto, and I don't do much off road. is yous a 3.0 also?
Yes, mine's an auto. I like it off road, it is mainly just lacking power especially on mountain passes. Not as noticeable with the 5 speed manual. As an example, this last Big Bear trip, I was caravaning with 3 other vehicles up highway 18 (very steep and windy) the truck and 4runner with the manual were way ahead of me and the other auto by the time we got to the top. Other than that I like the toyota reliability and low end torque on the trails.
Old 10-07-2006, 03:10 PM
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Originally Posted by slosurfer
Yes, mine's an auto. I like it off road, it is mainly just lacking power especially on mountain passes. Not as noticeable with the 5 speed manual. As an example, this last Big Bear trip, I was caravaning with 3 other vehicles up highway 18 (very steep and windy) the truck and 4runner with the manual were way ahead of me and the other auto by the time we got to the top. Other than that I like the toyota reliability and low end torque on the trails.
Thanks for the info.
Old 10-07-2006, 03:55 PM
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i think the 3.slow and the slush box auto was a bad combo i had a 3.0 once it was ok ran great but it was slow my old 22re would stomp all over it
Old 10-07-2006, 06:14 PM
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One of the worst engine designs Toyota has come up with, but I'd still take it over anything Detroit produced in the mid to late 80's. The 3.0 is low-power gas hog and a real PITA to work on. Putting it together with any auto. trans. just makes things worse. A firend of mine used to have a 4Runner nearly identical to mine, except in 5pd, and he could leave me in his dust any day.
Old 10-07-2006, 06:50 PM
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There is nothing wrong with any 2 valve designs....Our cummins ISB is a 12v motor yet still has 410ftlbs and 190hp....LS1 produces in excess of 350hp/360tq and is 2valve...I could go on for hours! What IS an issue is the intake design and the valves that are too small....

The BIGGEST issue for the 3vze was the HG recall. This was brought about by 3 reasons:
1. Conversion away from asbestoes head gaskets. The new non-asbest. gaskets were faulty that went in and BAM the initial HG issue was on!

2. Dealerships reusing TTY headbolts, which is assinine imo...NEW headbolts should have been used and the replacement HGs would have held...

3. Crossover pipe dumping it's exhaust into the drivers side exhaust manifold tends to overheat that section of the head...



Also burned #6 exhaust valves occured because of the above crossover and the MORONS at dealerships CLAIMING that the valves never needed to be reshimmed when in fact the NEED to be every 80,000 miles along with the timing belt....

Last edited by Bumpin' Yota; 10-07-2006 at 06:52 PM.
Old 10-07-2006, 07:05 PM
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I am just fine with its power and everything, just needs to drink less.

Lamm
Old 10-07-2006, 07:05 PM
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All due respect bumpin, but your desiel doesn't turn 6000rpm either.
The 3VZE intake & exhaust kills the bottom end and 2 small valves kill the high end.
= innefficient motor incapable of anything beyond mediocer performance at best.
IMHO that is.

Add in a driveline that eats up 1/3 of the power and you end up with a 4000lb truck that puts less power to the ground than my Vrod. FACT. My VR puts 105 to the ground in stock form, a stock Toy is in the mid 90s RWHP.

The whole HG thing is a cluster F_(k from the git go. Way I've heard it took Toy 10 years to figure out that they couldn't figure it out and call in Felpro to solve the problem, who also failed the first few tries.

Supposedly the latest gen of HGs w/ a NEW set of bolts solves the problem, but don't dare try to force feed it.

When I pulled my motor down w/ the burnt piston the HG's looked good. This after 6 replacements from Toy & the aftermarket over a period of 14 years, 2 of which killed motors. So, perhaps it's solved now.

Last edited by MonsterMaxx; 10-07-2006 at 07:07 PM.
Old 10-07-2006, 09:35 PM
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I think that if teh speed limit were still 55, the 3.0 wouldnt be so bad, but with everyone needing ot drive 75 or 80 MPH, it ends up punishing the little engines.
I think the 22re's would feel it if they raise the limit to 85. Can you imagine trying to push a 22re uo a 6% grade mountain at 85 mph? WHHHHHHHHHERRRRR!!!!! pop. OK maybe it wouldnt pop, but that would be askin a lot, and I guess that is about what happened to the v6
Old 10-07-2006, 11:04 PM
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well i am happy with mine it is a little slow but i had a IL-6 in a 92 f150 for my last truck nice engine but lousy truck and talking about a gas hog.

if and when my engine gos out i have a buddy that has a audi 5cyl i will put in unless he gets a nice 80s 4runner body then he will do it.
Old 10-07-2006, 11:58 PM
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I am just bothered by how underpowered it is... you can really feel it when you add 300-400lbs of extra weight.... I'm glad I got a 5spd though... however I'm not sure I'd replace the 3.0 if it blew... The 4runner's driving position is a little cramped for me (6'2" 300lb) and I think i'd either move up to a 96+ 4Runner or something else al together...


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