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Thread: V6 4-Runner Knocking Noises in 3V-Z motor...Help Needed

  1. #1
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    Default V6 4-Runner Knocking Noises in 3V-Z motor...Help Needed

    Hi guys,

    My mate has a 1991 V6 3.0L (3V-ZE motor) 4-runner that is making
    some knocking noises between 2000-3500 RPM only. It is pretty much non-exsistent
    elsewhere within the RPM range.

    It doesn't sound too terminal, but definately in need of repair soon.
    Funny thing is, it doesnt do it when cold only when at operating temperature?

    Took it to a mechanic and he said that it might be a worn conrod journal
    or maybe a loose piston joining pin.

    Anyone had this issue on their 3V-ZE V6??
    ANY help would be massively appreciated.

    Anyways, to try and fix the issue...
    we tried to take the sump off so we could have a look, but there was
    a slight problem, the flex plate (rear end plate on the bellhousing)
    appears to be bent outward toward the front of the car which covers half of the rear bolt points for the sump itself??!!

    Did anyone else have this issue when removing the sump?
    How do you get the sump off on this motor so we can have a look at the
    crank and the conrod bearing journals??

    I'll try and get some pics for you so you know exactly what I am talking
    about. As we are working on it right now...just gotta find a camera with battery.

    Cheers,
    Bart
    Last edited by Toyo Truck; 27-03-2006 at 02:26 PM.

  2. #2
    Corolla Collecter Backyard Mechanic Trent-KE30's Avatar
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    Default Re: V6 4-Runner Knocking Noises in 3V-Z motor...Help Needed

    We got one of these in the other day at work and it was screwed, cracks in head etc.

    Your lucky you don't have the 1KZ they are a nightmare, always crack down the pre comb chamber.

    Your issue sounds like a big end to me.
    1977 Toyota Corolla KE30 1GGTE http://www.toymods.net/forums/showth...post7372821977

    1987 Ford Falcon XF S Pac

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    Default Re: V6 4-Runner Knocking Noises in 3V-Z motor...Help Needed

    Yeah,
    No KZ here luckily!
    They are the 3.0L diesel that came in the surfs arn't they?

    From our testing yesterday, we were able to work out that if you remove number 2
    spark plug, and then rev the motor, the noise is almost gone?
    Put it back on and the noise comes back?

    Until a solution to this problem with getting the damn sump off, we will have to just
    try and sqeeze some more out of the motor
    What would be the best way to prolong the life of the current 3V-ZE??
    We put in some thicker oil 20W-50 and that made the noise a little better,
    what else can be done from here? What about some of those oil additives Lucas, etc??

    Cheers,
    Bart

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    Incompetent Automotive Encyclopaedia
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    Default Re: V6 4-Runner Knocking Noises in 3V-Z motor...Help Needed

    Sounds like a big end to me. I suggest your mate fixes it sooner rather than later - if it lets go it will cost a lot more to fix!

  5. #5
    Forum Member Grease Monkey
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    Default Re: V6 4-Runner Knocking Noises in 3V-Z motor...Help Needed

    The 3VZ-FE is a terrible motor in my opinion. Had one in a Vienta a while back. Owned the car since new, had 60,000km on the clock then self destructed during a drive. Shifted from 2nd to 3rd at ~4,000rpm, then it sounded like I'd driven onto a gravel road. Ended up cracking the block into 3 pieces, 12 holes and 2 sheared conrods. Can't say I've ever seen something kill itself so badly (esp. for a Toyota engine).

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    Default Re: V6 4-Runner Knocking Noises in 3V-Z motor...Help Needed

    Strewth!!!
    That is a mighty fast self-destruction!
    Was it low on oil or anything? Any symptoms of emminent failure??
    There must have been a reason for this. But then again, this motor has mysteriously
    started having this issue...
    We have taken this v6 4runner all over NSW and taken it through some
    pretty extreme punishment and it has been fine.
    This problem didn't even happen offroad??
    It has been working fine up till like a week ago??


    Shifty,
    I will have to break the bad news to him tonight then,
    But just on the outside chance,
    I thought that if one of the spark plugs is removed and spark to that cylinder
    is stopped, then there will be alot less load on that particular cylinder,
    indicating wear in that cylinder area of the motor, rather than a main bearing
    which would be apparent throughout the rev range and regardless of which cylinder
    was combusting.

    Also, if it was a big-end, wouldn't it be noisey throughout the rev-range and get
    worse with increments of RPM? (This is what my 1st 7M did when it did the fr main)

    I'm just trying to explore all options here before I break the bad news to my mate,
    and we start pullin the motor out.

    While on that subject...anyone know anywhere that might have 4-runner V6 half-cuts?
    or is it mostly just the cars that get "the cut".

    Cheers,
    Bart
    Last edited by Toyo Truck; 27-03-2006 at 02:25 PM.

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    Altia ER34 GTT Domestic Engineer JetspeedCamry's Avatar
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    Default Re: V6 4-Runner Knocking Noises in 3V-Z motor...Help Needed

    Quote Originally Posted by Soarer
    The 3VZ-FE is a terrible motor in my opinion. Had one in a Vienta a while back. Owned the car since new, had 60,000km on the clock then self destructed during a drive. Shifted from 2nd to 3rd at ~4,000rpm, then it sounded like I'd driven onto a gravel road. Ended up cracking the block into 3 pieces, 12 holes and 2 sheared conrods. Can't say I've ever seen something kill itself so badly (esp. for a Toyota engine).
    Ahuh....my 2VZFE is going STRONG and has 285k on the clock. Takes abuse all day long..no problems at all. Hasn't had a rebuild either .
    I'd say your problem was just bad luck, a bad apple lets say. The 3VZ is a fantasticlly designed engine.
    Kind Regards,
    Kurt.

    1998 ER34 ニッサン スカイラインGT- T
    RB25DET 5 Speed Manual | Blitz SE Return Flow FMIC | Greddy Profec II Spec B BC | Apexi N1 Turbo Back Exhaust

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    Forum Member 1st year Apprentice
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    Default Re: V6 4-Runner Knocking Noises in 3V-Z motor...Help Needed

    ive got 265k on my 3vzfe and it takes a thrashing everyday. its had plugs changed once in its life, belt twice and waterpump once (all as service not as repair). other then regular oil and oil filter thats all the service she gets, although i have a big service planned for her soon in the next month.

    you mustve been really unlucky as the 3vzfe can hold a 100hp shot of nitrous all day and the bottom end has been proven to handle 350hp easy. the box mated to it however...

    but this is a 4runner, its got a 3vze similar block, sohc head.

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    Default Re: V6 4-Runner Knocking Noises in 3V-Z motor...Help Needed

    What other types of cars did the 3V-ZE come out in?
    Could also be good donor vehicles as 4-runners in anything other than surf variety
    are prooving very hard to come by.

    I guess we could also use your 3V-FE enigne too. Does DOHC give it alot more power?
    What sort of 4-runner did you have this motor in? And what year model?

    Cheers,
    Bart

  10. #10
    Altia ER34 GTT Domestic Engineer JetspeedCamry's Avatar
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    Default Re: V6 4-Runner Knocking Noises in 3V-Z motor...Help Needed

    Rated power outputs:

    1990...3VZ-E - 150PS , 180lb/ft
    1995+ 3VZ-FE - 200PS, 204lb/ft
    Kind Regards,
    Kurt.

    1998 ER34 ニッサン スカイラインGT- T
    RB25DET 5 Speed Manual | Blitz SE Return Flow FMIC | Greddy Profec II Spec B BC | Apexi N1 Turbo Back Exhaust

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    Default Re: V6 4-Runner Knocking Noises in 3V-Z motor...Help Needed

    Hi guys,

    My mate has been doing a bit of calling around wreckers and stuff,
    and a few guys have told him that a Camry V6 is not the same 3V-ZE that is in the
    4-runner??

    Apparently it is so different it will not fit into a 4-runner???

    I thought we could take all the mounts of the 4-runner 3VZE and put them on the Camry
    3VZE and do the same with the intake, exhaust etc. and use the exsisting 3VZE manual bellhousing.

    Would the fact that this engine was east-west in the Camry mean it could not be installed
    in rear wheel drive configuration??
    What about the 4AGE in the AE82 and also in the AE86? Is this motor different other
    than the gbox and mountings?

    Cheers,
    Bart

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    Default Re: V6 4-Runner Knocking Noises in 3V-Z motor...Help Needed

    Hi Guys,

    After some exhaustive searching this evening, I have found out some interesting
    info regarding the swap of a Camry motor into a 4Runner or vice versa.
    Also will be interesting to those who wish to use a Camry 3V motor in another toyota.

    Firstly the motor in the 4 Runner is definately the 3VZE.
    Its cast into the plastic cover in the front of the 4runner motor.
    It is a 3.0L V6.

    from what I could find, The motor in the Toyota Camrys is the 3VZFE. Another 3.0L V6.

    I will now post the results of my hours of searching on yotatech and pirate4x4 to help fellow toymodders...
    A whole bunch of blokes in the US tried to do this swap into their 4WD 4-Runners (they have 2WD ones in the states) and here are the findings.

    The 3VZFE electronics will apparently NOT work with the 3VZE motor.
    also getting ignition to work is a major hassle but may be able to be done with
    an electronic distributor.

    The 3VZFE headgaskets have different will not bolt up to the 3VZE as they have different
    water jackets that do not allow them to bolt up.

    The intake manifold and heads are different between the two motors,
    and the 3VZFE heads would be difficult to be flipped around as they are apparently directional and would take a heap of machining to do. A guy is in the process of doing
    this on pirate4x4, but he says it has been a MAJOR issue thus far.

    The 3VZFE has 4 reliefs on the piston which might cause issues?

    The 3VZFE is almost the same as 5VZFE but isn't bored as large.

    The 3VZFE has larger rods, better connecting hardware and different pistons.

    The 3VZFE has a forger steel crankshaft with 9 counterweights.
    From searching, this is the 3rd largest amount of counter-balancing
    of any Toyota engine (not including the new V-10).
    (1GRFE has 9 - 12 counterweights, 2jz's have 12 counterweights!)
    the 3VZE has only 5 counterweights??

    The 3VZFE has a 9.6:1 Compression Ratio, the 3VZE is only 9.2:1!!!

    Also, from what I could find, no V6 Camrys came out in Manual with the 3VZFE,
    so this may cause problems when bolting this motor to a manual R151F gbox
    found in the 4Runners.


    So it would seem there are quite a few differences between a 3VZE and a 3VZFE!
    With all this in mind the Camry motor is no longer an option for this motor swap.

    However, I did find alot of details on the 5VZFE swap (this is the 3.4L V6 out of the Prado)
    apparently this motor will bolt up ALOT easier with alot less hassle. Has anyone done this
    swap at all?? This would be a VERY sweet conversion for a 4-runner.


    let me know what you think guys,
    Bart
    Last edited by Toyo Truck; 03-04-2006 at 09:49 AM.

  13. #13
    Altia ER34 GTT Domestic Engineer JetspeedCamry's Avatar
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    Default Re: V6 4-Runner Knocking Noises in 3V-Z motor...Help Needed

    3VZFE in the Camry did come out Manual. It used the E153 gearbox. There certainly rare, but definetly out there. (i have the gearbox from one on my 2VZFE )
    Kind Regards,
    Kurt.

    1998 ER34 ニッサン スカイラインGT- T
    RB25DET 5 Speed Manual | Blitz SE Return Flow FMIC | Greddy Profec II Spec B BC | Apexi N1 Turbo Back Exhaust

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    Default Re: V6 4-Runner Knocking Noises in 3V-Z motor...Help Needed

    Jetspeed,

    Was this E153 gearbox available in aus? or only abroad?

    Cheers,
    Bart

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    Altia ER34 GTT Domestic Engineer JetspeedCamry's Avatar
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    Default Re: V6 4-Runner Knocking Noises in 3V-Z motor...Help Needed

    Was available here... They came available in 93-96 Gen 3 Camry's and 97-99ish Gen 4's. It was mated to the 3VZFE in the Gen 3, and to the 1MZFE in the Gen 4. They are around..not too common, hence why I was excitied about getting one for my 2VZFE. The MR2 Turbo also uses this box..except it has reversed shift linkages and revised gearing.
    Kind Regards,
    Kurt.

    1998 ER34 ニッサン スカイラインGT- T
    RB25DET 5 Speed Manual | Blitz SE Return Flow FMIC | Greddy Profec II Spec B BC | Apexi N1 Turbo Back Exhaust

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