2014 scratches/cracks on engine block?

[outlaws]

I just bought a new 4runner , drove it home and just noticed this on the engine block. It seems to be only on the bottom end. Does this look normal? I have never seen an engine like this new and I can't imagine driving it will cause this. Seems like a manufacturing defect? :noidea:

Left side

Right side

Close ups

 

[jrandom]

Those are casting marks. Maybe more pronounced than normal. If they bother you, you can sand them down with a soft block and fine grit wet or dry.

 

[hearno]

The chances of Toyota letting a truck leave the factory with an externally cracked block are slim to none. There was a thread on this months ago... it's normal. Part of the casting process as I recall.

 

[zopperman]

 

[rigtec]

I just bought a new 4runner , drove it home and just noticed this on the engine block. It seems to be only on the bottom end. Does this look normal? I have never seen an engine like this new and I can't imagine driving it will cause this. Seems like a manufacturing defect? :noidea:

Hi outlaws,

These cracks are just casting deformities (only superficial). It happens when the boiling metal cools down after being poured into the mold and left to form... not a very scientific explanation "I'll admit", but it's all I got. lol! This is normal!

Enjoy your new truck, regards!

 

[Jayhawk5G]

It seems like part of the machining process for Toyota should be to sand down the blocks themselves, prior to using them to build the engine :shrug:

While purely cosmetic, I can understand why it would freak someone out...

 

[Whiplash Willy]

It looks like a Toyota bean counter found they could save a buck or two by not cleaning up the casting marks....

 

[korborh]

I have same on my new 2014 TE engine. Never bothered me as it is normal for cast Aluminum.

 

[Orc]

Are the engine blocks cast and assembled in japan? Transmission too?

 

[SCA]

My '14 LE (late May build) looks the same. Glad to learn it is normal.

 

[nelson4568]

same cosmetic blemish here

 

[Orc]

Noticed it on mine right away, totally normal.

 

[Lester Lugnut]

On mine as well.

While this may be acceptable from a metallurgical perspective, it speaks to cheap workmanship on Toyota's part.

I lined up my '14 4 Runner 1GR-FE and my '15 Tacoma 1GR-FE and compared. The Tacoma finish is much more typical of what one usually sees. Yes these engines have different HP ratings and the former is dual VVT-i, but the bore/stroke are the same; I would expect the casting to be that way as well.

Retire the Bean Counters.

 

[jrandom]

Retire the Bean Counters.

Or at the very least fire 127/128ths of them! They do nothing but f'k shit up when it comes to the nickle and dime bullshit.

"Geepers guys we can put a few dozen people out of work and save 15 cents labor on every 4runner we produce by not sanding down the blocks" They could save a whole lot more getting rid of the jackasses that come up with all these "great" ideas.

 

[<<<<]

Are the engine blocks cast and assembled in japan? Transmission too?

Final assembly is in Japan. I'd guess most bulk parts made there because large shipments would be cost prohibitive.

 

[harper7]

FYI.....That's not even the engine block!

That's the timing chain cover and those marks are usually indications that it was pressure injection molded and you get those from the mold release agent so it doesn't stick to the mold.

Pressure injection molding makes a stronger part then regular cast moldings.It's stronger then cast aluminum but not as strong as forged.

Gotta love how some people talk shit about Toyota cutting quality when they are actually looking at an upgraded part.It's not a show engine that they are going to polish the timing chain cover on it, so who cares what it looks like as long as it is stronger.

Here is the timing chain cover shown in the pics and what the marks are on .

Here is what the engine block looks like and you can't see any part of it from above in the engine bay.

 

[Lester Lugnut]

Gotta love how some people talk shit about Toyota cutting quality when they are actually looking at an upgraded part.

I'll assume you know what you're talking about and if so, thanks for the update.

But dude.....fugly is fugly and that finish is fugly!

 

[1engineer]

I'll assume you know what you're talking about and if so, thanks for the update.

But dude.....fugly is fugly and that finish is fugly!

He does.

 

[phillyd2]

Dude, after Harper7 speaks the thread should be closed. :lock1:

 

[Jaan]

This reminds me of the Bugatti Atlantic that Ralph Loren owns. I followed the restoration in the late 80's. Someone had polished the cast iron block at some point to make it a "show car" but the car was so valuable when Ralph Loren got it, they used acid to make the block look original and sand cast again. That was one of the hardest things to figure out how to do to restore it. One man's trash....