Hello,

My name is Luis Ugueto, Im writing from Caracas, Venezuela.

I have a 90 series Land Cruiser with a 3RZ 2.7 4 cylinder with 72000km (45000 miles) on the clock.

The engine, when in idle, has a little sputter every few minutes. Nothing major, enough to be noticed. I havent worried too much about it, but it only started recently, and im a little bit obsessive when it comes to my car, so I hate noises and slight faults.

Also, even though its not common, sometimes when starting up on a steep hill or under load, and even once while shifting at high ish revs, I get an explosion on the airbox. Why does this happen?

Any idea what might be causing these slight faults? any chance theyre related??

Any help is appreciated!!

Luis

 

I noticed today while waiting for my lady outside her house that, If I step on the gas and rev her too violently, she'll stumble before revving up and sometimes give me the same airbox explosions. I never let it go past 2000 rpm but that cant be good can it?

Any help?? please??

I would seriously appreciate any help

 

Start with the basic tune up. Check/replace the spark plugs, fuel filter, spark plug wires if it has them. Is the check engine light on? It would be a good idea to get a scanner to hook up the obd2 diagnostic port and see what the tps says.

 

No check engine light. Im waiting on a scangauge to see if she's throwing any codes, but since I dont have the light on I dont think so.

I was just thinking about the damn fuel filter today, hadn't occured to me until a few hours ago. Fuel down here is usually pretty dirty, although a couple of days ago I peeked inside my tank and she was nice and clean. She has 45000 miles with what seems like the original filter so ill change that and report back. The air filter and plugs are new and have maybe 2000 miles.

Thanks for your reply!! any other info will be greatly appreciated! cheers.

 

Fuel filter sounds like it could be the culprit, or maybe water in your gas. I don't know if the scan will throw up any codes if the check engine light is not on, we'll see. Make sure your timing is right as well.

 

the engine is a 3RZFE, no timing adjustment on an EFI car right??

Water in the gas is extremely unlikely and would not be a slight, consistent fault. I will change my fuel filter tomorrow and hopefully be done with it. Ill let you know if anything changes.

Thanks for your help!!

 

Vacuum leak is a good bet. Check hoses and intake pipe
Coming from the filter to the engine. If that isn't the issue, clean the maf. If it still is acting up check for intake gasket leaks with a can of engine starter.

 

My timing is adjustable and it's EFI... Mine's a 22RE, though. Good luck anyway, man. Yea that was dumb of me about the water it would be consistent..

 

Appreciate it! I was going to change the filter yesterday and, as it turns out, the fuel filter on the 3RZFE is a pain in the @ss to remove as its under the intake manifold with very little room to get to the bolts or hoses, i will do it when I get more time tomorrow..

 

Changed the filter! The couple of slight issues have gone away!

It was a little harder than im used to, I had to use a 20in extension on my ratchet driver to get from the driver's side wheel well to the screws holding the filter to the engine block.

A fair amount of dirt came out when I checked to see what's inside it (had to blow on it). Although nothing I didn't expect.

My engine is running happily again, the way it should

Thanks for your help!!

Luis

 

Since this thread is already open, i'll use it.

How do you adjust timing on a 3RZ-FE? How do you know when she's on the exact point?

Mine is a single coil (distributor) version, what elements need timing??

I won't be doing it myself, I just wanna make sure she's running fine but I want to get familiar with this So i can know the basics of what will be going on before my mechanic tries to explain or do anything!

Thanks,

Luis