Hi all,

We are rebuilding a 3vze engine (93 4runner 4wd). We got the engine out and rebuild the short block, and slapped on a new oil pump.

Now here comes the problem, there is a hole in the oilpump that runs all the way through to the other end. Further more, it does not appear that there was a bolt there in the old oil pump (the hole goes all the way through as well). It appears that in the 2wd version the oil cooler mounts in this hole. The bothersome thing is that this opening runs directly into the block/crank case. I can not imagine this was designed by toyota like this.

Here is a picture:
Does anyone has a clue what we are missing........

Thanks!

 

If the oil pump is the same besides having that extra bolt hole, just find a bolt that fits the hole and wrap it with some teflon tape and screw it in and call it good.

 

Thanks for the response,

Both pumps have the hole. Neither of us can remember pulling something from the hole on the old one, and the threads are dirty, indicating that nothing was there.

But now we are putting it back together there is this hole through the oil pump, apparently nothing that goes in there, and dirt can just enter the motor.

There is something we are missing, but what.....

I looked at some old rebuild threads around here, and everywhere I look that hole appears to be open. It does just not make any sense to me, dirt that can enter the crankcase freely......

 

It's been a long time since I've had the crankcase apart on my 3vze, so I don't recall any details pertinent. However, I can say if dirt can get in, oil can get out. May not even be an issue, eh.

 

Well it sits above the oil level, so its not that obvious.
I feel like a moron even asking something like this, but its just so weird. It looks like we are forgetting something, but no manual describes what goes in there (except for probably an 2wd oil cooler). Furthermore on the internet, people working on their engines seem to all have the hole open (nothing in there).

I just feel soooo dumb .

 

Like i said before, just put a bolt in the hole and call it good, there was probably nothing there in the first place. There is nothing to feel dumb about.

 

I noticed this too when replacing my timing belt recently. Thought it to be kind of odd, just the open hole like that. Just one more vote for dont worry about it i guess!