New member - Hamilton '91 Toyota 4Runner (needs new engine)

[kiwiboy469]

Hi

New Member, just bought a second 4WD (after engoing a 4WD experience) and it blew up on the weekend.

So, not a great start for 4WD'ing - but I'm guessing it goes with the territory

I'm looking for a new Toyota V6 3VZ-E engine,if anyone has any hints/tips/traps for young players to assist getting the wagon actually working?

If there an easier/chaper repower project to do?
Who (Waikato/Auckland) would you recommend to do this project?

Cheers
Paul
021 532535

[radar21]

holden v6

[Petemcc]

I'm looking for a new Toyota V6 3VZ-E engine

If there an easier/chaper repower project to do?

Nope putting in another 3vze will be the cheapest and easiest option. However for the cost of doing it you may be better to scrap it and get another one. You can get some ok money for them in parts and they are cheap as chips to buy.

[kiwiboy469]

Thnaks for the replies...
Cheap as chips to buy - where would you recommend I start looking?
(I'm a total noobie when it comes to 4WD and mechanics such as this. Since I moved to Waikato/Auckland I wouldn't know who is reputable or a good place to start)

Cheers and thanks
Paul

[Swamped]

Try Tony at speedy lube for advice maybe. I have no idea what toymota stuff is priced like but you may be able to pick up a wreck and yank the motor and keep the rest for spare bits.
Theres a couple clubs around that you could look at joining too. Cozzie 4 wheelers or waikato club.

[mudslut]

I deal with Bryant rd 4x4 (07)8492688 or 4wd & comercial parts world(07)8477419

[nzhunter]

holden v6 - nah been there done that pfft wouldn't bother again
1jz or 2jz conversion - done it a couple of times bloody cool with them and a bit easier
lexus v8 - common as conversion, sound sick, i havent done would cost more than the other options

To be honest man fix what you've got don't bother with an engine conversion unless you have a good idea about engines etc as they generally to take a bit of up keep to get them right after finishing the conversion

How do u mean it blew up? seized? Do you know why its seized? i.e what did it do first? Over heated? If so most likely the piston caught the bore.

Try buy another v6 engine chuck it in.

Although you could buy a whole another wagon for not much more:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Toyota/auction-359594888.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Toyota/auction-361145498.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Toyota/auction-364667250.htm


A mechanic will charge you about at least $1000 to fit a new engine just in labour (if it doesnt need the engine pulled out of something else)


Cheers, DAN

P.S only post your threads in one topic area that way all the info stays in one place

[kiwiboy469]

Awesome - thanks everyone...

I'll contact the local guys - and get in contact with the Clubs too. Thanks

Great advice re: getting it re-engined

And got it about only posting in one topic area (I'm also new at message boards and stuff)

Thanks
Paul

[kiwiboy469]

Oh - what I mean by "Blew"...

Driving from Tauranga to Hamilton - top of the Kaimai's I noticed Temp Gauge had gone up to about half...

cruised easy down and along straights - temp went up to about 75% (it would fluctuate almost instantly with acceleration/power - on it went up, off it went down) - so I parked up for a while to let it cool

drove 15 minutes and it was hot again - was coming into Cambridge, so headed for the Countdown carpark at top of the hill (rather than side of the road in the rain again)

On the way up the hill the motor made some "nasty" noises and just stopped (the main nasty was my language!)

So I'm stopped blocking traffic on SH1 coming into Combridge (in an auto with a bus inches from my wazzo tooting)
I turned the key and it started - YAY

Drove to the carpark and the overflow chamber popped with a hiss

Let it cool for an hour, headed north again - mnotor died after 10 minutes
capput, dead, seized... won't turn over

So - thats the long way of saying it "blew"

I just accepted I managed to cook the engine first time driving the wagon - had to swallow my pride and call a mate to tow me home and then start looking/asking for what to do now - hence I'm here


Looking forward to getting it fixed and getting into/learning 4wd'ing

Thanks again

[DieselBoy]

Try Outback 4x4 spares, thats were the last lot of 3vz v6 parts came from that I got hold of

http://www.outback4x4.co.nz/

[Brown Smurf]

Yea Outback4x4 are awesome. Real good service and prices are pretty good.
Dennis is a good man will sort you out.

Karl

[Mattman]

It's likely the radiator/fan/waterpump were shot and it's blown a head gasket.

The V6's are a slug of a motor, no power and drink fuel. Unless your truck is a minter you might find it cheaper to sell it as is or wreck it and purchase something new.

Any second hand motor you get you will need to do rad/fan/pump plus paying someone else to fit it and the $$$ are quickly disappearing.

Matt.