V6 -vs - V8 Maint. ?'s
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boston_kevin
New member
You can glean all sorts of information from the previous threads, but basically there are two major differences between V6 and V8...
1) V6 need the spark plugs changed every 30k miles, V8 is at 100k miles.
2) V6 has a timing chain which should last the life of the engine. V8 has a timing belt which should be replaced every 60k miles.
Aside from that, stock V6 vs stock V8 have roughly the same maintanence schedules (maybe less wear on the front diff on a V6 vs V8, but I stick with the same fluid change intervals. V8 does have the advantage of a tranny cooler which can extend the life of the tranny, but any dealer should also be able to install this on a V6 reaping the same benefits.
1) V6 need the spark plugs changed every 30k miles, V8 is at 100k miles.
2) V6 has a timing chain which should last the life of the engine. V8 has a timing belt which should be replaced every 60k miles.
Aside from that, stock V6 vs stock V8 have roughly the same maintanence schedules (maybe less wear on the front diff on a V6 vs V8, but I stick with the same fluid change intervals. V8 does have the advantage of a tranny cooler which can extend the life of the tranny, but any dealer should also be able to install this on a V6 reaping the same benefits.
Bluto
New member
V6 - Timing chain, non-interference engine. 30k plugs. Oil filter is easy to change. New engine for Toyota in 2003, so not much know about long-term reliability.
V8 - Needs timing belt done at 90k. I think the plugs are 120k? Been available a long time. Some Tundra owners have problems with leaking/cracked exhaust manifolds. But Tundras are built in the USA, so the manifolds may be from a different source than the 4Runner.
The V6 wins the maintenance debate.
V8 - Needs timing belt done at 90k. I think the plugs are 120k? Been available a long time. Some Tundra owners have problems with leaking/cracked exhaust manifolds. But Tundras are built in the USA, so the manifolds may be from a different source than the 4Runner.
The V6 wins the maintenance debate.
greasefingers
New member
Ninety-five percent of the plugs out there need o be changed at 30 k mile intervals.
4.7 L V8
I have a 1999 LX470 with the 4.7 L V8. I think it is the same engine as is now available on the T4R V8. The big expense comes around 100K miles. The timing belt and plugs have be changed.
The great unknown and unanticipated expense is that the Water Pump will also have to be changed at the same time. Word is that once you change the timing belt, the water pump bearing can't handle the tighter tolerance, so, you usually have to change it out within 10K miles. Its easier (cheaper) to go ahead and change the water pump at the same time as the timing belt. Therefore, avoiding the double technician cost to remove...
Cost is over $1000 for the entire service on the Lexus (not at a dealer).
Don't know about the V6, but, the V8 is a solid engine.
I have a 1999 LX470 with the 4.7 L V8. I think it is the same engine as is now available on the T4R V8. The big expense comes around 100K miles. The timing belt and plugs have be changed.
The great unknown and unanticipated expense is that the Water Pump will also have to be changed at the same time. Word is that once you change the timing belt, the water pump bearing can't handle the tighter tolerance, so, you usually have to change it out within 10K miles. Its easier (cheaper) to go ahead and change the water pump at the same time as the timing belt. Therefore, avoiding the double technician cost to remove...
Cost is over $1000 for the entire service on the Lexus (not at a dealer).
Don't know about the V6, but, the V8 is a solid engine.
claydoctor
New member
Only reason to change plugs that I know of is if they are fouled. What would cause a V-6 engine to foul plugs at 30K?
boston_kevin
New member
claydoctor said:
It's part of the tight emissions control for the V6 engine. Manual states that you need to change the plugs at 30k miles to comply with emissions equipment requirements.
greasefingers
New member
It is also a thermal shock issue. Fatigue sets in and I have seen more than one plug missing a section of that ceramic insulation. That ceramic chunk drops directly down into the cylinder. Hopefully it will immediately leave via the exhaust valve before scraping things up.
Plugs are so cheap and easy to replace that 30 k mile interval is long enough for standard type plugs.
Plugs are so cheap and easy to replace that 30 k mile interval is long enough for standard type plugs.
It seem's V8's are more popular than the V6 on this board. I guess every engine has it's strong point's and weakness's. Still not sure what I'll opt for yet,I have not had time to get to the deler lately,plus my Tahoe is in the shop.....lol.
They also announced that gas here will be going up to 3.00 per gallon soon. Driving 25+ K that hurt's a little . If I can find a V6 with the option's I want I'll go for it , otherwise my dealer has a V8 with the option's and color's I want so........??????
They also announced that gas here will be going up to 3.00 per gallon soon. Driving 25+ K that hurt's a little . If I can find a V6 with the option's I want I'll go for it , otherwise my dealer has a V8 with the option's and color's I want so........??????
claydoctor
New member
I have a history of always getting the most powerful engine available in whatever I buy but when I bought my 2006 Sport gas WAS $3 a gallon and so I opted for the V6. I knew that however good or bad the gas mileage on the V8, I'd always feel like I could be doing better with the V6. Also the fact that they were inducing people to buy the V8 with $1500 rebates told me that maybe they knew something I didn't know. My V6 has been great and has all the power I need. Only regret is that in '05 both V6's and V8's hit the lots with JBL radio and now I've only seen the JBL on the V8 Sports.
Uneek
Super Moderator
claydoctor said:
Me too. I ditched the extra amenities in the XLE Camry for the SE just to get the 3.3 V6. This time around with the 4Runner, the V6 was adequate for my needs, so I broke my tradition. The recent drop, now rising again gas prices almost got me sprung for a V8.
claydoctor
New member
I wonder how hard it is to change the plugs on the V6. Looks like they go in through valve cover like old Chrysler hemi. Just wonder how much stuff up above has to be dismantled to get to them. Anyone ever done it? If it's every 30K, looks like I need to learn
