V6 vs IL4?

[azcat90]

I'm shopping for a used Gen 3 Camry to replace my 92 LE V6 that I gave to my son - which engine lasts longer the 3.0 L or the 2.2 L?

[Mister_Perkins]

They will both last over 200,000 miles easily if properly maintained.

If you abuse either one, they sludge up and blow up. hehe

Obviously the I4 you will get better fuel economy

[azcat90]

I was thinking the V6 might last longer since it turns fewer RPMs to maintain speed.

[uibalnme]

Originally Posted by Mister_Perkins

...Obviously the I4 you will get better fuel economy

True, but not by much. I'd swap out my I4 for a V6 in a heartbeat if I had the money or time.

[LynchburgCSI]

Well there's 2 V6's. The 1MZ-FE (94-96) and the 3VZ-FE (92-93). The 4cyl 5S-FE covers 92-96. The 3VZ tends to have head gasket issues around 200k miles, but thats an preventative maintaince easy fix. The 1MZ has apparently had minor sludge problems. The 5S is VERY unforgiving if you let it run low on oil.

But any engine in any car is gonna have quirks. All the Camry engines are SOLID... IF you take care of them.

[N/A Camry Sleeper]

I4>V6...

Less moving parts, less weight to haul around, less power but cheaper to operate in the long run. Also, is easier to work on IMO, and parts are a little cheaper as well

But, just like Mr Perkins said - the key to longevity with these motors is proper maintenance

[4Cyl'erThriller]

All the gen 3 Camry engines will last.!. I would think the I4 would last longer and be cheaper easier all around. But My opinion may be swayed a bit. I love my 5S..

[quangtran89]

My 4cyl was super easy to work on, there's so much room in the engine bay. The 4 cyl is weak in acceleration but excellence on hwy MPG.

[JohnGD]

The mainstay Toyota engine is the 4-cyl. It's gotten the most attention and is the most reliable. The larger their displacement/cylinders, the less reliable. The 4-cyl won't have the horsepower, but it has the fuel economy (I'm sure gas prices are going back up).

These are all old engine designs of course. New designs are moving toward turbo charging smaller engines and using direct injection. And excellent examples of these are VW 4-cyl engines and the newer Ford eco-boost engines.

[SexieWASD]

I really do prefer the 4cyl 5s, but thats because i do my own work on it. I think you would be disappointed with the power going from the v6 to the 4.

[projektvertx]

Originally Posted by LynchburgCSI

Well there's 2 V6's. The 1MZ-FE (94-96) and the 3VZ-FE (92-93). The 4cyl 5S-FE covers 92-96. The 3VZ tends to have head gasket issues around 200k miles, but thats an preventative maintaince easy fix. The 1MZ has apparently had minor sludge problems. The 5S is VERY unforgiving if you let it run low on oil.

But any engine in any car is gonna have quirks. All the Camry engines are SOLID... IF you take care of them.

The gen 3 1MZ-FE does have sludge issues, but you'd have to be much more abusive and change your oil more infrequently than a gen 4 1MZ-FE to get the same amount of sludge IIRC, in the gen 4 1MZ, piston heads ran warmer, and Toyota removed the oil cooler (which they also did for later 5S-FE I think??)

Originally Posted by JohnGD

The mainstay Toyota engine is the 4-cyl. It's gotten the most attention and is the most reliable. The larger their displacement/cylinders, the less reliable. The 4-cyl won't have the horsepower, but it has the fuel economy (I'm sure gas prices are going back up).

+1, we are going to see 4$ a gallon again, and very soon. But honestly, I've driven a 5S-FE, and I'd rather pay the extra fuel money, even if gas does go to 4$ a gallon...

[camrtm3]

Oh god...

azcat90. Here is an answer which you I believe are looking for. Both are truely equally reliable. I have a 1MZ-FE with 181k on it and I redline the thing everyday once the engine is warm. I also properly maintain it. Which I assume you do as well. The 92 v6 you had was a 3VZ-FE which is a cast iron block and is heavy. You know the gas mileage is gets. The 94+ has the 1MZ which is lighter because is an aluminum block, I do not know the exact weight difference. Yes the I4 is easy to work on. But once used to your engine and you do it once put it back together right then you really don't care.

Mileage wise: They get the same! No matter what your driving pattern is. For each driver they are the same. The V6 has more power which means lower rpms to get to the wanted speed. I have gotten 30+ mpg on my 1MZ on highway. I get 25 on city. (WITH OLD AUTOMATIC TRANS) So this gas mileage thing is a bunch of fooie.

Repair Costs: I don't know about that either. Parts Cost wise is about the same. Like for example axles. They are different, but cost the same. Soooo..... I mean unless like you throw a rod its the same. But if something that big happened you would most likely be looking for another car.

This sludge thing: I haven't heard of it for me. But there was some difference with the 94-95 1MZ and the 96. I have the 96. I don't know what the change is but like I said this is the first time of me hearing of it.

And finally azcat90, you are used to the power of a V6. You are going to get into a I4 like I did and just say to yourself "this isnt right. The car feels....Wrong"

Hope this helps.

[Safari Wagon]

I've read several comments on this board about the 3VZ being much heavier than the 1MZ. I don't know if the engine got lighter but the car got heavier, but here is a quick weight comparison -
1992 Camry sedan LE V6 - 3252; XLE V6 - 3285
1996 Camry sedan LE V6 - 3241; XLE V6 - 3274
An eleven pound difference (0.24% difference) does not seem that significant....

[workerant]

I know my old Camry I4 '96 engine was good, hardly need anything but gas and oil in that car.

[LynchburgCSI]

The 3VZ is heavier than the 1MZ... but on a FWD 3200 lbs car, it REALLY doesn't matter. Plus the weight over the driven wheels helps with traction.