Has anyone pulled V6 engine from 4th Gen 4Runner?
- Thread starter ysrsquid
- Start date
ysrsquid
Member
Update for March 20
90 minutes to reinstall thermostat housing and top off fluids.
No leaks.
I've driven around the neighborhood a couple of times... maybe 2 miles. She runs great. After all, I've Just tuned her up.
Tomorrow I drive her to work.
I need a little more transmission fluid (I bought 3 quarts but she's still low) and 'pink' coolant. I bought 2 gallons and the overflow tank is about half full. I would have bought enough fluids but I had to pull the radiator twice (second time for the stupid o-ring in the thermostat housing).
There are still a couple of things to do to finish off this 'tune up'. I still need to install the skid plates and engine top cover but I'll leave them off for now as I watch for leaks.
How long did it take?
Wife toasted motor on Nov 9. Truck is running on March 20. That's 131 days.
How much did it cost?
$85 - Tow from Denton, TX to Austin (after upgrading to Premium AAA coverage)
$2200 - Replacement engine
$80 - Gas driving to and from Houston with engines #1, 2, and 4
$80 - CPS that I lost
$100 - Other Toyota Parts Replaced along the way
$75 - Toyota T-IV transmission fluid and 'pink' coolant
Estimated Total: $2620.
That's pretty cheap for an engine replacement but still tough to swallow considering that the root cause was the failure of a $5 oil filter.
Looking back, I could have gotten off cheaper. There was an $800 2003 motor in VA that I could have bought that would have saved me money on the motor and the CPS. I wouldn't have had to go through the joy of replacing the cam VVTi assmblies on the ends of the intake camshafts. I imagine that it would have been nice if the truck hadn't died 225 miles away from my house also.
I probably could have saved the original engine with an oil sample after the failure rather than driving it to distruction. An oil sample would have shown the damage to the bearings and I would still have pulled the motor, but I would have rebuilt the original motor. I think I could have done it for well under the final $2620 number. For example, all of the bearings would have only cost around $500.
I could have saved even more trouble by not buying that stupid generic oil filter... or even teaching my wife that the 'oil can light' means something.... At least she knows those lights mean something now.
90 minutes to reinstall thermostat housing and top off fluids.No leaks.
I've driven around the neighborhood a couple of times... maybe 2 miles. She runs great. After all, I've Just tuned her up.
Tomorrow I drive her to work.
I need a little more transmission fluid (I bought 3 quarts but she's still low) and 'pink' coolant. I bought 2 gallons and the overflow tank is about half full. I would have bought enough fluids but I had to pull the radiator twice (second time for the stupid o-ring in the thermostat housing).
There are still a couple of things to do to finish off this 'tune up'. I still need to install the skid plates and engine top cover but I'll leave them off for now as I watch for leaks.
How long did it take?
Wife toasted motor on Nov 9. Truck is running on March 20. That's 131 days.
How much did it cost?
$85 - Tow from Denton, TX to Austin (after upgrading to Premium AAA coverage)
$2200 - Replacement engine
$80 - Gas driving to and from Houston with engines #1, 2, and 4
$80 - CPS that I lost
$100 - Other Toyota Parts Replaced along the way
$75 - Toyota T-IV transmission fluid and 'pink' coolant
Estimated Total: $2620.
That's pretty cheap for an engine replacement but still tough to swallow considering that the root cause was the failure of a $5 oil filter.
Looking back, I could have gotten off cheaper. There was an $800 2003 motor in VA that I could have bought that would have saved me money on the motor and the CPS. I wouldn't have had to go through the joy of replacing the cam VVTi assmblies on the ends of the intake camshafts. I imagine that it would have been nice if the truck hadn't died 225 miles away from my house also.
I probably could have saved the original engine with an oil sample after the failure rather than driving it to distruction. An oil sample would have shown the damage to the bearings and I would still have pulled the motor, but I would have rebuilt the original motor. I think I could have done it for well under the final $2620 number. For example, all of the bearings would have only cost around $500.
I could have saved even more trouble by not buying that stupid generic oil filter... or even teaching my wife that the 'oil can light' means something.... At least she knows those lights mean something now.
Last edited:
TechWrench
Senior Member
:iagree: It is handy to own tools, and know how to use them.leftyrb said:
Great job, and I hope you get many more good years out of her..........the vehicle I mean.
ysrsquid
Member
Update for March 21
I drove the 4Runner to work today. I put about 40 miles on it and the truck is just running great.
I was probably the happiest guy in the morning commute driving the dustiest 4Runner in Austin.
I checked the vehicle this evening. I made sure the fluids are topped off and there are no leaks. I had taken off a wheel and I wanted to make sure the lugs were still torqued down.... no reason to loose a wheel while driving down the road.
The only problems are that the serpentine belt's a little squeaky (but seems to be going away) and I need to relearn where all of the controls are on the truck.
I drove the 4Runner to work today. I put about 40 miles on it and the truck is just running great.
I was probably the happiest guy in the morning commute driving the dustiest 4Runner in Austin.
I checked the vehicle this evening. I made sure the fluids are topped off and there are no leaks. I had taken off a wheel and I wanted to make sure the lugs were still torqued down.... no reason to loose a wheel while driving down the road.
The only problems are that the serpentine belt's a little squeaky (but seems to be going away) and I need to relearn where all of the controls are on the truck.
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ysrsquid
Member
Update for March 22
I drove the truck to work again today. No issues. I've put about 80 miles on her so far. There are no leaks. The squeaking belt issue is gone. I figure the job's done. I'll just drive the truck for awile before handing it back to the wife because 'I want to keep an eye on things'. But really I just want to drive the truck.
Things I've learned:
- Don't buy generic parts (oil filter)
- Don't ignore it when the oil filter seems loose and is seeping oil.
- Don't assume the wife knows what to do when there are problems with the vehicle
- Just because it's a Toyota doesn't mean it's indestructable.
- If you think the engine has a failing bearing, do a oil sample. It costs $20 and it catches the damage before the engine is damaged beyond repair.
- The internet (and the 4Runner.org website) is a great place for technical information.
- It really sucks replacing the motor on a truck before you've made the 3rd payment.
- Toyotas can be disassembled with mostly standard hand tools. I almost wore out my 10mm, 12mm, and 14mm.
- As much information there is on the internet I couldn't find anyone else as unlucky as I am who has replaced thier motor in a 4th gen 4Runner.
- There was the guy who installed the 4th gen motor in his 3rd gen 4Runner (or Tacoma). Now that's a science project.
- In order to work on the engine, components need to be 'peeled' off the engine until you get to the component you actually need to work on.
- The electrical connectors are a LOT EASIER to put on than pull off.
- Get the Service Manual.
- Get the Service Manual.
- Get the Service Manual.
- A '04 1GR-FE isn't the same as a '05 1GR-FE.
- Pulling the camshafts off of a motor with double-overhead cams and 3 timing chains is a royal pain.
- The dealership isn't a good place to go for technical information.... unless you know someone who works there.
- When you can't find the technical information, use TIS website.
- Toyota parts are cheaper on the internet but you have to wait for the parts to be delivered.
- It takes about 3 weeks to pull the motor from a 4Runner. It takes 5 days to install it (the second time around).
- If you need used parts from a salvage yard, use www.car-part.com
- Don't trust any work done by the mechanics at the salvage yard.
- Sometimes the owner of the salvage yard just wants to make you a satisified customer even though neither of you can find a working motor.
- It cost me $2620 to replace the motor. It can be done for less if you find a cheap motor.
- It's better working in the garage during Feb rather than August.\
- Sometimes the wife learns from her mistakes.
- If you spend 3 months working on the 4Runner you get to drive it
So thanks to everyone who has spent the time reading about my trials and tribulations. I've really enjoyed posting all of the issues and solutions. I've also really appreciated your support. THANK YOU! There were some very dark and disappointings days in this process (like finding out that crank in motor #2 was no good. like finding out that I had to change the TPS assembly off of the cams of motor #4). But in the end I'm glad I've had the support of the 4Runner.org group to continue on when things just seem to be going wrong. And now that the truck is running, those of you who have watched the process probably feel the joy of the success.
I actually need to work on my 325 now. It's got a slipping clutch, bad brakes, no AC, and leaking head gasket. That should be a walk in the park.
I drove the truck to work again today. No issues. I've put about 80 miles on her so far. There are no leaks. The squeaking belt issue is gone. I figure the job's done. I'll just drive the truck for awile before handing it back to the wife because 'I want to keep an eye on things'. But really I just want to drive the truck.
Things I've learned:
- Don't buy generic parts (oil filter)
- Don't ignore it when the oil filter seems loose and is seeping oil.
- Don't assume the wife knows what to do when there are problems with the vehicle
- Just because it's a Toyota doesn't mean it's indestructable.
- If you think the engine has a failing bearing, do a oil sample. It costs $20 and it catches the damage before the engine is damaged beyond repair.
- The internet (and the 4Runner.org website) is a great place for technical information.
- It really sucks replacing the motor on a truck before you've made the 3rd payment.
- Toyotas can be disassembled with mostly standard hand tools. I almost wore out my 10mm, 12mm, and 14mm.
- As much information there is on the internet I couldn't find anyone else as unlucky as I am who has replaced thier motor in a 4th gen 4Runner.
- There was the guy who installed the 4th gen motor in his 3rd gen 4Runner (or Tacoma). Now that's a science project.
- In order to work on the engine, components need to be 'peeled' off the engine until you get to the component you actually need to work on.
- The electrical connectors are a LOT EASIER to put on than pull off.
- Get the Service Manual.
- Get the Service Manual.
- Get the Service Manual.
- A '04 1GR-FE isn't the same as a '05 1GR-FE.
- Pulling the camshafts off of a motor with double-overhead cams and 3 timing chains is a royal pain.
- The dealership isn't a good place to go for technical information.... unless you know someone who works there.
- When you can't find the technical information, use TIS website.
- Toyota parts are cheaper on the internet but you have to wait for the parts to be delivered.
- It takes about 3 weeks to pull the motor from a 4Runner. It takes 5 days to install it (the second time around).
- If you need used parts from a salvage yard, use www.car-part.com
- Don't trust any work done by the mechanics at the salvage yard.
- Sometimes the owner of the salvage yard just wants to make you a satisified customer even though neither of you can find a working motor.
- It cost me $2620 to replace the motor. It can be done for less if you find a cheap motor.
- It's better working in the garage during Feb rather than August.\
- Sometimes the wife learns from her mistakes.
- If you spend 3 months working on the 4Runner you get to drive it
So thanks to everyone who has spent the time reading about my trials and tribulations. I've really enjoyed posting all of the issues and solutions. I've also really appreciated your support. THANK YOU! There were some very dark and disappointings days in this process (like finding out that crank in motor #2 was no good. like finding out that I had to change the TPS assembly off of the cams of motor #4). But in the end I'm glad I've had the support of the 4Runner.org group to continue on when things just seem to be going wrong. And now that the truck is running, those of you who have watched the process probably feel the joy of the success.
I actually need to work on my 325 now. It's got a slipping clutch, bad brakes, no AC, and leaking head gasket. That should be a walk in the park.
ysrsquid
Member
RickyCRX said:Excellent news to hear! Now that you've been through all of that, you want to help me with my timing belt and water pump replacement??
Seriously though, awesome work and congratulations on getting it finished up and rolling down the street again.
Ricky
Sure. I'll bring my 10mm, 12mm, and 14mm. That's all the tools we need.
Methodical
New member
Excellent thread!
As far as the idiot lights go, I told my girlfriend that Green colored lights are advisories, yellow are warnings but she can continue to drive, and red means stop immediately and don't run the engine no matter what.
I've always liked the stock toyota filters due to the recessed and greased o-ring. I notice that as the oil filter is used, the o-ring expands and forms a ridiculously tight seal, but since it's recessed I dont have to worry about it blowing out.
As far as the idiot lights go, I told my girlfriend that Green colored lights are advisories, yellow are warnings but she can continue to drive, and red means stop immediately and don't run the engine no matter what.
I've always liked the stock toyota filters due to the recessed and greased o-ring. I notice that as the oil filter is used, the o-ring expands and forms a ridiculously tight seal, but since it's recessed I dont have to worry about it blowing out.
ysrsquid
Member
Update
Well since the thread has been bumped to a recent post, I fgure I'd give an update on the 4Runner. It now has 78k miles (54k since the engine replacement).
The only problem was that for some reason around 50k miles the flexplate cracked. The flexplate was from the original motor so I can't blame it on the junkyard.
Details on flexplatel failure: It happend over Christmas 2007 in El Paso. Why do these failures happen so far from home? The flexplate hadn't completely failed but the crack had gone between 4 of the 6 holes in the middle of the flexplate so the vehicle was still drivable but it was making horrible clacking noises. Guess what -- the wife heard the noise and let me know rather than just continuing to drive it. I guess she learned her lesson after she demolished the engine after all. I was able to see the cracked flexplate by removing the starter and peering through the hole.
The El Paso dealership wanted $2000 to fix the flexplate and there were no flexplates available in USA so I was going to have to wait 2 weeks to get the part and get the truck fixed at the dealership. Since it seeemed like a really bad deal to be stuck in El Paso for 2 weeks only to pay $2000, I decided to get the truck back home and fix it in my garage.
I ordered the flexplate online (www.discounttoyotaparts.com) which is run out of a local Austin dealership. In order to get the 4Runner back to Austin, my best friend rented a Expedition in Austin for 1 day with unlimited miles. He also rented a U-haul trailer in Austin for a local pick-up and delivery. He then drove to pick me up in El Paso. We loaded up the 4Runner to complete the trip back to Austin. We then returned the trailer and the Expedition within 24 hours so that I was only charged for 1 day's rental. Needless to say the auto rental people were suprised when we returned the Expedition with 1500 miles in 1 day.
Flexplate replacement took 2 days (1 day for removal and 1 day to reinstall everything). No problems since then.
Well since the thread has been bumped to a recent post, I fgure I'd give an update on the 4Runner. It now has 78k miles (54k since the engine replacement).
The only problem was that for some reason around 50k miles the flexplate cracked. The flexplate was from the original motor so I can't blame it on the junkyard.
Details on flexplatel failure: It happend over Christmas 2007 in El Paso. Why do these failures happen so far from home? The flexplate hadn't completely failed but the crack had gone between 4 of the 6 holes in the middle of the flexplate so the vehicle was still drivable but it was making horrible clacking noises. Guess what -- the wife heard the noise and let me know rather than just continuing to drive it. I guess she learned her lesson after she demolished the engine after all. I was able to see the cracked flexplate by removing the starter and peering through the hole.
The El Paso dealership wanted $2000 to fix the flexplate and there were no flexplates available in USA so I was going to have to wait 2 weeks to get the part and get the truck fixed at the dealership. Since it seeemed like a really bad deal to be stuck in El Paso for 2 weeks only to pay $2000, I decided to get the truck back home and fix it in my garage.
I ordered the flexplate online (www.discounttoyotaparts.com) which is run out of a local Austin dealership. In order to get the 4Runner back to Austin, my best friend rented a Expedition in Austin for 1 day with unlimited miles. He also rented a U-haul trailer in Austin for a local pick-up and delivery. He then drove to pick me up in El Paso. We loaded up the 4Runner to complete the trip back to Austin. We then returned the trailer and the Expedition within 24 hours so that I was only charged for 1 day's rental. Needless to say the auto rental people were suprised when we returned the Expedition with 1500 miles in 1 day.
Flexplate replacement took 2 days (1 day for removal and 1 day to reinstall everything). No problems since then.
CJ3Flyr
Super Moderator
I know this thread is old but it's new to me... WOW! is all I can say. You have the patience of a Saint:biggrin2: I would have lost my mind. I am glad your swap worked well and the new engine is good. The flexplate thing is crazy.
This is a great wrote-up and will help many in the future I am sure.
If there was ever a reason to use OE filters I think this is it!
:cheers:
This is a great wrote-up and will help many in the future I am sure.
If there was ever a reason to use OE filters I think this is it!
:cheers:
4 Runner Bud
New member
New thread to me, and gave me 30 minutes of joy. Good job on the rebuild. I read to my wife about the " Getting the engine Thingy out" Funny stuff!!
