fun times with 3tgte - parts/advice needed

**ta22-3tgte** · 02-08-2007, 09:48 PM

Short version: Bottom timing gear fractured into 3 pieces and about half a dozen teeth snapped off.

Has anyone ever experienced this before? What on earth could cause that? The crank still moves the pistons up and down without any problems, but of course the cams arn't moving because the chain (which seems to be intact) is just resting on the crank shaft and i found the bits of broken gear sitting in my sump.

There may have been oil pressure problems which could have led to this. Silly me wouldn't know, because I don't have an oil pressure gauge (Standard ta22 gauges + boost gauge). I will fix this asap. I have read that 3tgte oil pumps are known to have problems with blocked/sticky relief valves. The guys who rebuilt my engine (M&W engine services in Ballarat), had a devil of a time with the oil pump. I had to take it back to them, and they ended up making a hybrid pump (apparantly mine had been modified for higher output) out of a new pump and the one i had. Sounds dodgey to me.

If anyone could make any recommendations about what I should check/do, where I should go from here, it would be very much appreciated. Eg, should I buy a brand new factory 3tgte oil pump? Every time I ask Toyota questions about 3tgte they seem to be very unhelpful or unable to provide any assistance as its a "foreign motor that was never sold in Australia". Pfft. Can someone hook me up with the right contacts at Toyota to get replacement bits for my motor? Eg, timing gear, oil pump, gaskets etc. Will love you long time!

**ta22-3tgte** · 04-08-2007, 03:34 AM

*bump*

Anyone? I need to get this beasty back on the road again.

**Grega** · 04-08-2007, 02:52 PM

years ago IDB automotive were the experts on anything with 2TG, 3TG ect. i don't believe sean is there anymore but the other fellow there (ian i think) may be able to help you or at least point you in the right direction....

otherwise stewart wilkins motorsport may also be able to help ; http://www.swmotorsport.com/

also might find some help here too : http://www.toyota3tc.com

some of the hybrid builders (rod, dana) may also be able to assist you too...

**pauljones1976** · 05-08-2007, 07:23 PM

Hi, don't know how useful this information will be to you, but I previously owned an RA28 with a 3TGTE and found Tony Rigoli in Sydney to be very helpful with parts and information. He made a some custom ignition parts for me to run mine so I'm sure he would be able to get you sorted out.
Cheers,
-Paul.

**WDE_BDY** · 06-08-2007, 07:03 AM

I was under the impression 3T-GTE was an interference engine? Crank turning without valves moving may have got very messy inside your engine, was it running when this happened?

Callum

**ta22-3tgte** · 07-08-2007, 01:54 AM

Thanks for the replies all.

I got onto Ian from IDB Automotive yesterday before I went to work. He can get me the bits I need, timing gear, gaskets, chain etc. Excellent

But the fun doesn't end here. He has advised me to check the valve clearances in the head, in case I have stuffed some of them up. To remove the timing cover, it seems you have to remove the head anyway. Joy.

The timing cover comes out about half a cm all round, but then seems to foul on the plastic chain guide thing that the chain tensioner connects to. You cant seem to move it any further out, or up or down.

I guess I'm going to find out if its an interference engine or not pretty soon. Just as a side note, the pistons have a chunk taken out of them which I believe is the difference between a 3TC and a 3TG piston. This provides the lower compression needed for the turbo motor, and I'm totally going out on a limb here, but clearance of the valves as well? I'm hoping so..

**TA22 GT** · 07-08-2007, 08:33 AM

The 3T GTE is very similar internally to the 2TG. If you broke the timing gear then its almost certain you have done major damage to the pistons and valves.

The valve cover should lift straight off, if its getting caught them something is wrong...You have to get the valve cover off regardless before you can get the head off. I have no idea what it could be caught on, but somehow you need to lift it off.
Once off you should take teh head off and the sump so you can see whats happened. My guess is your pistons and valves will be damaged and by the sound of it probably also the timing chain guides.
Looks like you need to do a total rebuild. IDB and SW Motorsport will have all you need.

Hope this helps,
simon