Crankshaft End Play!

[WeAreSLO]

Took my 2002 in to get the timing belt replaced. Shop calls me and tells me the crank pulley moves forward a quarter inch! I drive over to see myself and I have a large amount of end play in the crankshaft . I love this car and am only the second owner and have had it a couple years now. Doesn't help that I still owe 2500 bucks on the loan for it too. The car was running fine when I took it in. I'm not sure what to do. They're putting the engine back together (timing belt was in good shape) and I'm going to take the car back as I figure something out.

This is a 4WD automatic and this shop says they've never seen this in a Toyota. The shop said they could replace the thrust bearings but would need to take the motor out so it's really expensive. I know there's going to be grooves in the block as well so who knows how long it would last. I'm heartbroken, these engines are supposed to be bulletproof.

Has anyone else had this problem with their 3rd gen? What did you do? What should I do? Anyone have a cheap 5VZ-FE engine and lives in California? Thanks

 

[soupkitchen]

Took my 2002 in to get the timing belt replaced. Shop calls me and tells me the crank pulley moves forward a quarter inch! I drive over to see myself and I have a large amount of end play in the crankshaft . I love this car and am only the second owner and have had it a couple years now. Doesn't help that I still owe 2500 bucks on the loan for it too. The car was running fine when I took it in. I'm not sure what to do. They're putting the engine back together (timing belt was in good shape) and I'm going to take the car back as I figure something out.

This is a 4WD automatic and this shop says they've never seen this in a Toyota. The shop said they could replace the thrust bearings but would need to take the motor out so it's really expensive. I know there's going to be grooves in the block as well so who knows how long it would last. I'm heartbroken, these engines are supposed to be bulletproof.

Has anyone else had this problem with their 3rd gen? What did you do? What should I do? Anyone have a cheap 5VZ-FE engine and lives in California? Thanks

that's crazy man...reminds me of old dsm's. Pretty sure its moving around?

 

[WeAreSLO]

that's crazy man...reminds me of old dsm's. Pretty sure its moving around?

I just drove it home and it's running well, same as before. I went to the shop when the front of the engine was apart for the timing belt replacement to see what they told me is happening. I pulled on the crankshaft pulley and it moved forward a 1/4" or so. And then I pushed it back and it made a clunk as it hit what I assume to be the back of the engine. I love my 4Runner ;(

 

[Gadgetguy]

Start saving your money and drive it til the crank lets go. I once drove an 86 with a 22re knocking like crazy for 2 years.

 

[irritech]

Same issue with my 98. Pulled the oil pan and there was a washer. Still running, have no idea how long it's been like that. If you didn't hear it let go, then it was like that when you bought it.

 

[Jhelms]

Sounds like the thrust washers failed or possibly just one side failed - or one side was NEVER installed! This would be an engine killer with a manual transmission, however with an auto, you can drive a long time like this and not have an issue. Crank basically finds a happy spot and sits in it. My 02 has this same issue and it is daily driven / runs perfectly. I have even found cars that they FORGOT to install thrust washers in the motor! As in, there was NOTHING in place or in the pan! Motors had a lot of miles on them too.

So in short, I would not freak out a all. Just drive it and be nice to it and it should go a long time. Get it paid off, make sure you are set financially and find a good junkyard motor.

 

[WeAreSLO]

Sounds like the thrust washers failed or possibly just one side failed - or one side was NEVER installed! This would be an engine killer with a manual transmission, however with an auto, you can drive a long time like this and not have an issue. Crank basically finds a happy spot and sits in it. My 02 has this same issue and it is daily driven / runs perfectly. I have even found cars that they FORGOT to install thrust washers in the motor! As in, there was NOTHING in place or in the pan! Motors had a lot of miles on them too.

So in short, I would not freak out a all. Just drive it and be nice to it and it should go a long time. Get it paid off, make sure you are set financially and find a good junkyard motor.

Thank you for this! I figured it would be fine and that it found a happy spot like you said but needed some confirmation from fellow 4Runner lovers. She was running strong before I took it in and seems good now too. I use mine as a daily driver too and was planning on going to Death Valley next week. Sounds like I don't have anything to worry about!

I was looking at JDM motors for down the road. Have any experience with those?

 

[Jhelms]

I would not do any serious wheeling / nose down or up at high angles. Cranks weighs about 50-60lbs plus pulley weight. But if it is a dirt road cruise, carry on.

I have done a load of JDM motor swaps, however I have only read about 5vz jdm motor swaps in 4runners.

 

[WeAreSLO]

Sounds good, yup was just going to be on dirt roads getting around the park.

 

[rideexileex]

This happened to me and the woodruff key had sheared. The pulley was wobling on the end of the crank. Does it simply press in and out, or does it spin on the crankshaft?

 

[WeAreSLO]

This happened to me and the woodruff key had sheared. The pulley was wobling on the end of the crank. Does it simply press in and out, or does it spin on the crankshaft?

The whole assembly pressed in and out, didn't notice the pulley being loose. Did the engine still run after that?

 

[rideexileex]

Mine ran still, but you could see the pulley wobbling around, and it was slipping. Definitely not good.

 

[mtbtim]

I think my buddy Greg's engine has the same issue going on. Check out the massive play seen with the crankshaft pulley sliding out when the engine is started. The second time we start the engine at play time 00:12 shows it really well. I haven't confirmed it 100%, but I'm 99% sure this is not a loose crank pulley on the end of the crankshaft. If the pulley had that much play, it would be wobbling on the end of the crankshaft. I suspect the issue is what [MENTION=123173]Jhelms[/MENTION] talked about. Maybe one or both of the thrust washers has given way.

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[gamefreakgc]

I think my buddy Greg's engine has the same issue going on. Check out the massive play seen with the crankshaft pulley sliding out when the engine is started. The second time we start the engine at play time 00:12 shows it really well. I haven't confirmed it 100%, but I'm 99% sure this is not a loose crank pulley on the end of the crankshaft. If the pulley had that much play, it would be wobbling on the end of the crankshaft. I suspect the issue is what [MENTION=123173]Jhelms[/MENTION] talked about. Maybe one or both of the thrust washers has given way.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uxvXicCba6o" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Wow, that is nuts. I've never heard of that until this thread popped up. You are right about the pulley, if it were moving that much the woodruff key would be thrashed and the pulley would probably sheer it off completely and not even turn anymore. I wonder if the timing belt and accessory belts is what keeps the crankshaft from rattling around once it's running?

 

[Houli]

I had a similar amount of crankshaft play in mine. I attribute it to a poor quality engine rebuild that was done by the previous owner. Regardless, I'd keep a very close eye on your oil level. Mine started spewing oil like a faucet because the play was so much that the front crankshaft seal was able to walk out of the bore. It is very easy to quickly run your engine out of oil with a leak that big. I was putting a quart of oil in for every hour of highway driving while I waited for my JDM engine to arrive.

 

[repo]

Crankshaft play

 

[WeAreSLO]

I think my buddy Greg's engine has the same issue going on. Check out the massive play seen with the crankshaft pulley sliding out when the engine is started. The second time we start the engine at play time 00:12 shows it really well. I haven't confirmed it 100%, but I'm 99% sure this is not a loose crank pulley on the end of the crankshaft. If the pulley had that much play, it would be wobbling on the end of the crankshaft. I suspect the issue is what [MENTION=123173]Jhelms[/MENTION] talked about. Maybe one or both of the thrust washers has given way.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uxvXicCba6o" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Haha just replied to your post on that misfire thread. Three years later and the engine is still humming along without a care in the world. I never did get that TB replaced though...

Maybe a project for the studio party?? :naughty:

 

[mtbtim]

Haha just replied to your post on that misfire thread. Three years later and the engine is still humming along without a care in the world. I never did get that TB replaced though...

Maybe a project for the studio party?? :naughty:

Uhh, no timing belt replacements party day. My goal is to BBQ, eat, drink beer and look at everyone's Sic Mods.

 

[WeAreSLO]

Uhh, no timing belt replacements party day. My goal is to BBQ, eat, drink beer and look at everyone's Sic Mods.

Yea I was just kitten. Meant to say thrust washers so you would really know I was joking; they've got to be a right pain in the ass to replace. :lol:

 

[19963.4lsr5]

Usually if the thrust bearing is loose or bad the engine won’t last too long. The crank walking in and out will ware the rod bearings unevenly and eventually you’ll hear a noise. It may start out as a tick like a valve and then turn into rod knock.


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