[umouniversial]

I have a 1994 Toyota 4X4, The engine has between 200k and 250k miles on it, Since i put this engine in a 93 body i lost track of exact milage.

[edit - sorry the engine is a 22RE)

My head gsket is going again, this will be the forth replacement. I replaced the entire head last time with a new casting. The engine has ran like crap for a long time, idleing high... I know it probably has leaks intake and exhaust.

Is this year engine just a bad year or am I just a bad mechanic (which is highly possible because I never got the block milled, never had the time or money to do so.)

Thanks for any feedback about this.

jw

 

[guitarman]

Which engine?

I think the V-6 had issues with the gaskets. I've got a '94 with the 4 cyl and it's still on the original gasket.:thumbsup:

 

[War10ck]

Which engine?

I think the V-6 had issues with the gaskets. I've got a '94 with the 4 cyl and it's still on the original gasket.:thumbsup:

Bad mechanic. If these engines had that much of an issue, they would have been junkyarded years ago.

I have the v6 and asside from being a bit underpowered for the truck, it runs like a swiss watch.

 

[freeyellow2000]

If I Recall Correct the head are aluminum and the block are cast iron steel, therefore the expand and contract @ different rates therefore they are more vulnerable to "head gasket problems:"

 

[sb5walker]

Well, 'bad mechanic' is a judgement - but not having the block milled may very well have had a lot to do with the repeat failures, especially if the gaskets failed in the same area. Also, did you have the heads surfaced, and use Toyota gaskets and new head bolts each time?

Having said that, it is NOT uncommon for these motors to have repeat gasket failures. A poll at yotatech revealed that about 1/3 of the responding 3VZE owners had experienced two or more failures. And the repeat failures do seem to happen disproportionately with the last three years the 3VZE was used in the Hilux (93-95). 89 and 90 motors do also experience head gasket failure - the block/head/exhaust design is bad, after all - but the early motors seem to have fewer repeat failures. My original 89 head gaskets lasted 12 years and 218,000 miles; it's hard to complain too much about that, and the replacement is still going strong today at 281,000 miles (knock on wood!).

I'd find a rebuilder who uses mls (multi-layer-steel) gaskets and gives a good warranty, if you wanted to stick with the 3VZE.

 

[umouniversial]

Well, 'bad mechanic' is a judgement - but not having the block milled may very well have had a lot to do with the repeat failures, especially if the gaskets failed in the same area. Also, did you have the heads surfaced, and use Toyota gaskets and new head bolts each time?

Having said that, it is NOT uncommon for these motors to have repeat gasket failures. A poll at yotatech revealed that about 1/3 of the responding 3VZE owners had experienced two or more failures. And the repeat failures do seem to happen disproportionately with the last three years the 3VZE was used in the Hilux (93-95). 89 and 90 motors do also experience head gasket failure - the block/head/exhaust design is bad, after all - but the early motors seem to have fewer repeat failures. My original 89 head gaskets lasted 12 years and 218,000 miles; it's hard to complain too much about that, and the replacement is still going strong today at 281,000 miles (knock on wood!).

I'd find a rebuilder who uses mls (multi-layer-steel) gaskets and gives a good warranty, if you wanted to stick with the 3VZE.

It is a 22RE motor not the V6. and this would be the forth head gasket failure. I've had the head machined each time, and this last time bought a new casting. I tried to check the block surface for pitting, there might have been a little but I simply didn't have the resources at the time to remove the enitre engine and have it machined. But it seems from reading here that would be the reason for the repeat failures. But I have heard the 94 22re has had issues with head gaskets, but this from non toyota and it could be they were getting this motor mixed up with the V6. Never the less my first head gasket falure was around 100,000 miles.

I plan to fix this by buying a new or remanufactured long block as I do not have the tools or the skill to go into the block.

My question is whether to purchase a new block or a remanufactured. the cost is the same but it seems the "new" blocks don't require a core charge? any advice here?

 

[umouniversial]

Well, 'bad mechanic' is a judgement - but not having the block milled may very well have had a lot to do with the repeat failures, especially if the gaskets failed in the same area. Also, did you have the heads surfaced, and use Toyota gaskets and new head bolts each time?

Having said that, it is NOT uncommon for these motors to have repeat gasket failures. A poll at yotatech revealed that about 1/3 of the responding 3VZE owners had experienced two or more failures. And the repeat failures do seem to happen disproportionately with the last three years the 3VZE was used in the Hilux (93-95). 89 and 90 motors do also experience head gasket failure - the block/head/exhaust design is bad, after all - but the early motors seem to have fewer repeat failures. My original 89 head gaskets lasted 12 years and 218,000 miles; it's hard to complain too much about that, and the replacement is still going strong today at 281,000 miles (knock on wood!).

I'd find a rebuilder who uses mls (multi-layer-steel) gaskets and gives a good warranty, if you wanted to stick with the 3VZE.

It is a 22RE motor not the V6. and this would be the forth head gasket failure. I have the head machines each time, and this last time bought a new casting. I tried to check the block surface for pitting, there might have been a little but I simply didn't have the resources at the time to remove the enitre engine and have it machined. But it seems from reading here that would be the reason for the repeat failures. But I have heard the 94 22re has had issues with head gaskets, but this from non toyota guru's and it could be they were getting this motor mixed up with the V6. Never the less my first head gasket falure was around 100,000 miles.

I plan to fix this by buying a new or remanufactured long block as I do not have the tools or the skill to go into the block.

My question is whether to purchase a new block or a remanufactured. the cost is the same but it seems the "new" blocks don't require a core charge? any advice here?

 

[verlaryder]

Combination of bad mechanic and continual use of aftermarket parts and gaskets. Your "new head" for example is an aftermarket casting since you didn't buy it from a Toyota dealer in a Toyota box.

So all your bad fortunes are self inflicted, beginning with your first head gasket failure which was caused by either you or the former owner using aftermarket antifreeze and tap water which corrodes 22R heads and internally plugs Toyota radiators which in turn causes engine overheating and leads to heat warped heads which causes head gasket failures. Or the head corrosion compromises the sealing ability of the head gasket.

Owners who realize they have a Japanese vehicle and maintain it with genuine Toyota parts and fluids since the day it was brand new don't have head gasket or other engine problems for 500,000 or more miles (I'm at 485,800 miles and counting). But trying to keep a 22R on the road by treating it like a Ford or Chevy pickup; e.g. using aftermarket castings, cams, bearings, gaskets, etc is a wallet busting exercise in self defeat. Even expensive, top of the line rebuilt 22RE's like those offered by Jasper Engines suffer from gasket leaks because even Jasper is too cheap to use genuine Toyota gaskets and seals.

Your only two real options if you want a reliable 22R are:

1) pull one from a well maintained Toyota pickup that was totalled in a traffic collision.

2) Buy a $2000-2500 quality rebuilt from Jasper Engines and replace all the gaskets with Toyota gaskets
prior to installation in your vehicle.

 

[willkr]

94 22 RE headgasket failure

I have a 94 22 RE assembled in japan. At 300,000 had head Gasket failure due to overheating in south florida pulling a small trailer.Had it replaced 3 yrs ago ,ran good until a month ago once again using coolant and running on 3 cylinders periodically. Mech. says engine is tired do to metal fatigue and doesn't suggest redoing the head gasket. Suggesting new engine. I found another Toyota only Mech. who says bull and will either redo the gasket(800.00) or rebuild for 1800.00.
What does everyone think???