Hey guys, I am new to "Yotatech" and would like some feedback from you experienced fix it yourselfers. I have a 93 4x4 Toyota pickup with the V6 3.0L and 300,000 miles on it. Powersteering pump crapped out, and waterpump leaks like a sieve. So I currently drive it only around my property when I am working in the pasture. After finding out the location of the water pump (behind the timing belt) I am thinking of just doing an engine swap instead of fixing existing issues. Anyone out there have similar issues? What did you do? Suggestions on engines? Contrary to what alot of people say, the 3.0L has been great until accessory stuff started failing.

 

Welcome to YotaTech!

You are experiencing symptoms of old age (well, at least your truck is )

What is the condition of your current engine? Aside from the power steering pump and water pump, does everything work as it should?

What are your long-term plans with this truck?

Replacing a water pump (and timing belt at this point) and the power steering pump would be easier than an engine swap, which may or may not be needed, but I see where you are coming from with over 300,000 miles.

Swapping from a 3VZ-E to a different engine is a lot of work, but has been done many times on this forum.

If you do not want to just replace the failing pumps (and timing belt) you can do a direct replacement with a rebuilt 3VZ-E or swap the engine with something else.

You will find that the 5VZ-FE 3.4L V6 engine used in the first generation Tacomas and 3rd generation 4Runners (also T100s, 1st gen. Tundras) is a popular swap. It is a similar style of engine as the 3VZ-E, but Toyota improved the design, making it a more powerful and efficient engine.

I agree with you that the problems with the 3VZ-E are way over-hyped. The 3VZ-E engine is still a great engine, and many are still running around my area. Many people are quick to point out that the 5VZ-FE is a better engine of the two. I certainly hope so. The 5VZ-FE is a newer engine with newer technology, so it should be better. That does not mean the 3VZ-E is bad. If you do a quick search of the 3VZ-E, you will find posts with something to the effect of: "The 3.slow is the worst engine ever. It blows head gaskets every other year, gets 2 gallons to the mile, and has less power than my Craftsman push mower."