I was looking at a brand new 2011 4R today and really liked it. Am seriously considering buying it. When I looked under the hood I noticed that the 4.0L V6 has an aluminum block. Anyone have or hear of any problems / issues with this engine block? This is the only thing giving me apprehensions about this vehicle. Please put my mind at ease. Thanks
Aluminum Engine Block
- Thread starter jbeilmann
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FlyNavy
New member
Aluminum engine blocks are not new technology. Do you have a specific concern?
stanleybb50
New member
All 4th gen v6's r aluminum. They're great motors. No worries!
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kingpin748
New member
They've been doing aluminum engines for years. I wouldn't worry about it.
I just recall hearing of some issues with aluminum engine components. Maybe it was involving the use of aluminum heads with cast iron blocks. I also am glad to hear that 2011 isn't the first year for Toyota using aluminum engine blocks. Thanks for the replies.
stanleybb50
New member
Yep, they've been making that 4.0 v6 with aluminum blocks/heads since 2003. They just added more power in '10 by, I think, making it continuously variable valve timing, where they were just single valve timing I think? All the newer v6 Tacoma's use/used the same motor also (aluminum) since, I think '05?
Some of my facts may be 'slightly' off, but you get the idea.
Also, in case you didn't know, which I sure you already do, there's iron sleeves that create the cylinder walls also.
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My 2000 ws6 transam has an aluminum block and I haven't had any problems if gm can do it I'm sure Toyota is capable (i think there were muscle cars in the 60s that did also). I have a diesel with aluminum heads that has never had an issue (2002 duramax). If a diesel with huge compression and relatively high exhaust gas temps doesn't have problems I wouldn't worry.
There were problems when manufacturers first started with this technology, in particular Al heads on an Iron-block engine because the different metals expand with heat at different rates, which is where you may have heard of this. But the 4.0L v6 has been trouble free since it's intro and has been in the 4Runner since 2003 and the Tacoma since 2005 as mentioned above. I know some were wary of the engine when it first came out in the 4th Gen for this reason but it's so well proven now I would not give it a second thought. (Tacoma fans are currently praying they introduce the 4.0L in the 5th Gen 4Runner into the 2012 Tacoma btw because of it's improved economy in particular).
peter78
Super Moderator
The first Toyota all aluminum engine for a truck was this engine. They put it in the 2003 4Runner, Tundra and Tacoma. I did have a concern, having the 3rd gen. 4Runner, I wasn't so sure of this engine. They did some home work, I liked the fact they put a timing chain in the engine, instead of a timing belt.
There have been a few mishaps with this engine, the biggest one was with this member:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/51415-engine-goner-warped-head-long-block.html
There was even a thread about the duribility of the V6 engine. I put it on a sticky, but after awhile, I felt it didn't warrant a sticky as most responses were positive.
This was just posted on this thread:http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/37419-highest-mileage-4th-gen-12.html
I have had an aluminum engine before in a sporty car, but this is the first time I have done it in a truck, so yes there is a concern. I still like my 2001 4Runner with the cast iron block, but I will say the 2004 4.0 V6 has treated my just fine. One thing I found out is I get about a 1/2 mpg better gas mileage in my 2004 compared to the smaller 2001, which was a surprise. I guess by going with an aluminum eninge helped.
My feeling is the engine has proven it's worth and has done reather well.
Thats funny don't think theres a motor out there that you can "get a little hot" aka overheat and not have head/gasket/block problems as far as I know. For goodness sake if the motor is starting to overheat turn the vehicle off. Unless rebuilding a warped/siezed motor (aluminum or iron) is cheaper than a tow in your neck of the woods.
Basically, I wouldn't consider that an issue as the link indicates brutal abuse to the motor, running with seized belts and all.
