3.4 supercharged with cracked block

Rockdawg84

Rockdawg84

New member
I looking at a 98 SR5 tomorrow with a 3.4 supercharged and 5speed for a great deal. The motor is said to have a crack in the block and slings oil everywhere. The way I look at it is that I have a spare motor so big deal right but if this is related to the supercharger or a common problem with the 3.4 I would like to know before hand. thanks guys

Sam
 
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Crack in the block? That isn't too common for the 5VZ's I don't believe. These motors are nearly bulletproof. Most owners go well past the recommended timing belt change limit without even realizing, and their engines continue to work well. How many miles on the engine? I'd imagine a SC'ed '98 would probably be high mileage and run hard since it had forced induction (heavy right foot). Yes the supercharger creates added stress for the engine to handle, but I don't think the boosted guys on here have had many block failure issues. The worst thing the 5VZ's might be known for would have to be leaky head gaskets.
 
Its not completley unheard for an engines block to crack, and while its a very good engine, it is not immune to problems, but i would agree that that 4runner has been abused, and the SC will likely be abused too.
 
My friend recently picked up a 98 4runner that had a dealer option trd supercharger. The car has 260,000 miles and ran fine. Although I guess it is possible, the supercharger probably did not crack the block. You should be in great shape with that new motor put in, how much did you get it for?
 
Well I did something I never do today I bought a truck sight unseen on the word of a friend. I have actually seen the runner before but never looked at it closely as to purchase it. When I met with the owner today (elderly couple who have owned it for quite a while) I asked about the block and he said that he didn't really know what the problem was but that it is throwing oil everywhere but that if I fill it up with oil it runs great just messy. I immediately gave him $2200 and will go pick it up tomorrow. At the very least I have a motor to go in and the supercharger is worth somewhere north of $1000:guitar3: Its gonna be a great day tomorrow. I will post up what I find about the motor.
 
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If anybody deserves a good deal its you rockdawg! If you don't know why check out his build thread, it'll make you cry seeing the pictures.
 
:iagree: it is highly unlikely that the block failed. I run a supercharged 1998 4runner that has 257k on it, I drive it like I stole it and have done so for the last 150k since I have owend it. The 5vz is a great motor and and I would guess that there is a bad seal somewhere.
 
It's possible the block is cracked...unlikely on a well maintained Runner, but you guys don't know the history of this truck- maybe he lost all of his oil or coolant?

It is, however, very VERY unlikely that a cracked block came from the blower. 99.9% of times a blower does damage, it's to the top half.

Good find! can't wait to see pics!
 
here is the scoop:wow2: block is not cracked. I picked up the Runner this morning and there wasn't a drop of oil outside the motor anywhere. The backyard mechanic that had it told me that about a month ago it spit a plug because it has a water injection setup that had leaked into one cylinder. He had helicoiled it and then it had a headgasket on the same side go. There is now water in the oil but it does smoke when started. I only drove it up on the trailer but it ran nice and smooth with no knocks or rattles or pings. The low end seems good and so I think I will pull both heads off and have them gone through then throw it back together. Sure looks nice with that supercharger sitting on top of the motor. This was driven by a gal who's husband wanted her to have a car so he took this opportunity to get rid of it. I don't think she drove it hard and the rest of the rig is in perfect condition with the exception of two cigarette burns on the passengers seat and the strong smell of a rig that has been smoked in for a long time. The Body doesn't have a single wrinkle or dimple. I am amazed at this thing for $2200. Now I just have to get the insurance to pay out on my 99 and I will be good to go:D
 
Rockdawg84 said:
here is the scoop:wow2: block is not cracked. I picked up the Runner this morning and there wasn't a drop of oil outside the motor anywhere. The backyard mechanic that had it told me that about a month ago it spit a plug because it has a water injection setup that had leaked into one cylinder. He had helicoiled it and then it had a headgasket on the same side go. There is now water in the oil but it does smoke when started. I only drove it up on the trailer but it ran nice and smooth with no knocks or rattles or pings. The low end seems good and so I think I will pull both heads off and have them gone through then throw it back together. Sure looks nice with that supercharger sitting on top of the motor. This was driven by a gal who's husband wanted her to have a car so he took this opportunity to get rid of it. I don't think she drove it hard and the rest of the rig is in perfect condition with the exception of two cigarette burns on the passengers seat and the strong smell of a rig that has been smoked in for a long time. The Body doesn't have a single wrinkle or dimple. I am amazed at this thing for $2200. Now I just have to get the insurance to pay out on my 99 and I will be good to go:D
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"Like." :bigok:
 
Damn and I thought I got a good deal motor trany SC urd injector kit radiator and some other stuff for $2500. Look at you in all your glory the whole truck for $2200:guitar2::drummer:

even if you had the motor rebuilt for another $2200, $4400 for a bad ass runner. Someone let themselves get :boink:
 
**** who knows what the mechanic knows/did if they thought it had a cracked blocked. Just change the oil and coolant and do a tuneup and drive it and see if head gasket really is blown. How many miles are on it?
 
chris360hawks said:
**** who knows what the mechanic knows/did if they thought it had a cracked blocked. Just change the oil and coolant and do a tuneup and drive it and see if head gasket really is blown. How many miles are on it?
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So I got some time to really look over the runner this afternoon. I pulled the dipstick and I expected it to be low or out but what I found was that there was prob 8 or 9 quarts of oil. Crazy I know. So I ran down and did a quick oil change and looked really close at the oil - not a drop od coolant. Then I opened the radiator up to see if there was any pressure building in the cooling system. Not a single bubble:pimp: I dont really know what was going on with the folks I bought it from. I do know that the husband wanted to get rid of it bad and so didn't really care what was wrong. I'm happy to have helped him out. Lol. Took it for a little drive and didn't see any steam or blue smoke after the oil change. The supercharger does seem to be making a little noise from the nose cone but I'm sure that won't be to bad to go through. Looks like I got the deal of the month:surfer: now I will start a new build thread for the 98. Gonna be fun
 
Rockdawg84 said:
So I got some time to really look over the runner this afternoon. I pulled the dipstick and I expected it to be low or out but what I found was that there was prob 8 or 9 quarts of oil. Crazy I know. So I ran down and did a quick oil change and looked really close at the oil - not a drop od coolant. Then I opened the radiator up to see if there was any pressure building in the cooling system. Not a single bubble:pimp: I dont really know what was going on with the folks I bought it from. I do know that the husband wanted to get rid of it bad and so didn't really care what was wrong. I'm happy to have helped him out. Lol. Took it for a little drive and didn't see any steam or blue smoke after the oil change. The supercharger does seem to be making a little noise from the nose cone but I'm sure that won't be to bad to go through. Looks like I got the deal of the month:surfer: now I will start a new build thread for the 98. Gonna be fun
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:rockthrow::bravo:
 
God is just pouring his blessings upon you my friend..I'm just gonna lurk around and see what good deal will come your way next time...:good for you!cheers::cheers:
 
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