1FZ-FE Oil Consumption issue fixed

[Cooley]

Hi guys

Just posting this as general info for anyone else who might run in to the same problem, and to try find out the cause.

So I have just done a backyard rebuild of my 1FZ-FE. New bottom end bearings, pistons, new head.

Long story but I only test drove it 1000km's before heading off on a round-australia trip. Noticed it was using a lot of oil, then it started to use a LOT of oil. 1-2 litres per 200-300kms. Blowing smoke on start up, fuel economy at about 22L/100kms.

Solution:

On the underside of rocker cover are two flaps which slightly cover the openings that lead to the PCV valve breather hose and the other breather hose(not sure what its called) that goes from rocker cover to the inlet, just before the throttle body. I opened these up a little(they were open about 2mm, I found a picture of a new rocker cover and they're opened a lot more). Problem fixed.

We (me via phone to my mechanic brother) diagnosed the issue while I was on the side of the road. We worked out that it was pumping a good amount of oil through the pre-throttle body breather hose and after testing and trying a bunch of other things thought we'd have a look at these little flaps. It fixed the problem but I don't understand why. Anyone care to chip in?

I am wondering to myself if this was an issue before the rebuild(oil consumption was high and fuel economy was very bad) or wether I somehow bumped these little flaps closed while we had the rocker cover off during the rebuild process. I can't get photo's up at the moment but will tomorrow. Thanks!

Pics:
Mine:
Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet

Pic I found:
Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet

 

[LFD2037]

I went from using 1qt every ~500 miles to using 1qt every ~1,200 miles just by replacing my PCV valve. Not sure about your deal, though.

 

[Proven]

I should probably check my PCV. though my issue is dripping oil all over the place rather than burning it I think. HA!

 

[Heckraiser]

If they were closed too tight, that could contribute to a buildup of crank case pressure, forcing oil out any leaks you might have, or past the rings and valves. I know when my PCV and vent hose #2 were plugged up by ice and a crappy catch can, I burned a colossal smoke screen and the TB ingested a lot of oil

 

[Joe Antonio]

I went from using 1qt every ~500 miles to using 1qt every ~1,200 miles just by replacing my PCV valve. Not sure about your deal, though.

After trying the 5w30 and 10w30 Amsoil I moved to the 10w40 AMO (high zinc) from Amsoil with the Amsoil filter. It was consuming about a quart every 2,000 miles .Problem solved. It does not consume oil. I did changed the PCV valve over a year ago. The engine has a little over 183,000 miles on it and runs great. Cheers.

 

[baldilocks]

After trying the 5w30 and 10w30 Amsoil I moved to the 10w40 AMO (high zinc) from Amsoil with the Amsoil filter. It was consuming about a quart every 2,000 miles .Problem solved. It does not consume oil. I did changed the PCV valve over a year ago. The engine has a little over 183,000 miles on it and runs great. Cheers.

Can you provide the part number of that oil filter?

 

[LINUS]

Can you provide the part number of that oil filter?

AMSOIL Products for the 1997 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER (4.5L 6 -cyl Engine Code [J] 1FZ-FE F)

EA15K51
EA15K33

Those were the 2 that fit, only detail I could find was the top PN# took a 76mm socket / wrench - couldn't find the bottom PN# in the wrench size roster so not sure if this is like the NAPA 1515 & the smaller case'd 1348 deal.

 

[Kernal]

Just to add to what Cooley wrote above:

Here's a photo showing the drain tabs/vents of the valve cover oil baffle from my FZJ80 after I had it hot tanked. What I found when I first pulled the valve cover off was sludge caked inside the baffle which I think could block those drain slits/vents, or at least slow down oil from dripping back into the engine. Also, AFAIK, the original PCV valve (from the factory) was longer than the current Toyota replacement PCV valve, and if using the original valve it might dip down into the oil trapped inside the baffle, particularly if the baffle is clogged with sludge, sucking oil directly through the PCV line into the TB, IME.

If the drain tabs/slits on your baffle were for some reason not open as much as shown in the photo (possibly along with sludge build up and/or a too-long PCV valve?) that would explain the massive oil consumption as Cooley described it.

 

[dogfishlake]

Very interesting problem/fix. Thanks for posting. A quick thing to add, if you are changing your pcv valve, plan on both hoses and the little grommet the valve pops in to. They are almost always dried out and crack easily. Not expensive parts. @beno sourced them for me

 

[Joe Antonio]

Can you provide the part number of that oil filter?

EaO, Ea15K

 

[baldilocks]

EaO, Ea15K

Thanks. I looked it up later on. I'm quite sure that Donaldson makes that filter for Amsoil. I use a Donaldson ELB (extended use) synthetic media on my Cummins. They probably make one that will fit the 1fz that can be had a little cheaper than a filter that says Amsoil on the side of it. They are very good filters though.

I read about the AMO and while it sounds great at first, I'm wondering if the double dose of ZDDP would detrimental affects on a
catalytic converter.

 

[Joe Antonio]

Thanks. I looked it up later on. I'm quite sure that Donaldson makes that filter for Amsoil. I use a Donaldson ELB (extended use) synthetic media on my Cummins. They probably make one that will fit the 1fz that can be had a little cheaper than a filter that says Amsoil on the side of it. They are very good filters though.

I read about the AMO and while it sounds great at first, I'm wondering if the double dose of ZDDP would detrimental affects on a
catalytic converter.

I passed smog test in CA with flying colors.

 

[landcruiser3DP]

gents.
trying to catch up on this one. anyone mind answering some questions?
i have a new PCV valve and grommet. but what exactly is the function of the two hoses here? one runs from the engine to the air intake and one goes from the engine to the throttle body? what direction is the air supposed to go?
and what were the baffles doing again?
also, can i go to an electroplating place to get it hot tanked?
THANKS

 

[voorland80]

Vent hoses; air is pulled upstream and down into engine.
Since we're going back in time here, see post #3 by @blunderbuss for part numbers,

Recommendation on vacuum hoses

Im mid way through replacing my head gasket on my 97 and a couple of the hoses were in bad shape. One was hard as a rock and cracked open the minute I pulled it off, the second already had a hole in the side that the previous owner just put tape and the clamp on. I have already replace the...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[voorland80]

Vent hoses; air is pulled "downstream", down into engine.
Since we're going back in time here, see post #3 by @blunderbuss for part numbers,

Recommendation on vacuum hoses

Im mid way through replacing my head gasket on my 97 and a couple of the hoses were in bad shape. One was hard as a rock and cracked open the minute I pulled it off, the second already had a hole in the side that the previous owner just put tape and the clamp on. I have already replace the...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[landcruiser3DP]

Vent hoses; air is pulled upstream and down into engine.
Since we're going back in time here, see post #3 by @blunderbuss for part numbers,

Recommendation on vacuum hoses

Im mid way through replacing my head gasket on my 97 and a couple of the hoses were in bad shape. One was hard as a rock and cracked open the minute I pulled it off, the second already had a hole in the side that the previous owner just put tape and the clamp on. I have already replace the...

forum.ih8mud.com

thanks. slow going but getting there. which way was the valve on the PCV going? it is only allowing venting of air from up under the valve cover back up into the air intake system so it has somewhere to go? and the baffles were there to somehow screen this air so that when it goes up it is not full of chunks? and if the baffles get clogged up it prevents the venting and forces things down into the combustion chamber (or something)? and what was the other hose doing? equalizing pressure somehow or something? a bit in the weeds but i'm kind of curious about it now that i am looking at them.

 

[voorland80]

You tagged on to an earlier thread from a ways back. Nothing wrong with that if in response or directly related.
I suggest starting own thread regarding your situation and particular questions.
Cheers!

 

[mudgudgeon]

The PCV allows air OUT of the sump and engine block etc (crank case) to escape.
Engine vacuum will pull air through the PCV into the intake stream
As the crank and pistons etc rotate, they move a lot of air around. Plus most engines will have a small amount of combustion gas blow by the piston rings. This pressurizes the crank case.

If the pressure can't escape, it can do a few things
- force oil mist filled air past the piston rings which then gets burnt during combustion
- force oil past valve stem seals (same deal as above)
- force oil out through any existing gasket leaks, or cause new gasket failures
- prevent oil from gravity draining from the top of the head back through small galleries to the sump. If oil can't drain back, is more likely to get sucked out the PCV into the intake air stream

 

[landcruiser3DP]

The PCV allows air OUT of the sump and engine block etc (crank case) to escape.
Engine vacuum will pull air through the PCV into the intake stream
As the crank and pistons etc rotate, they move a lot of air around. Plus most engines will have a small amount of combustion gas blow by the piston rings. This pressurizes the crank case.

If the pressure can't escape, it can do a few things
- force oil mist filled air past the piston rings which then gets burnt during combustion
- force oil past valve stem seals (same deal as above)
- force oil out through any existing gasket leaks, or cause new gasket failures
- prevent oil from gravity draining from the top of the head back through small galleries to the sump. If oil can't drain back, is more likely to get sucked out the PCV into the intake air stream

thanks man. i guess i will have a better understanding of what is under that valve cover and how it relates to the combustion chamber of i take it off. right now i don’t quite get how it relates to the combustion chamber except i guess the spark plugs are in between the two? is there a void under there’s then a sealed area with the spark plugs and then the combustion chamber? or i guess i am not following how the sump/crankcase is arranged.

but bottom line is if the baffles are clogged the PCV can’t function and oil is forced down past the spark plugs (i guess) into the combustion chamber and then past the rings and/or valves and out the exhaust?

 

[Railwelder93]

The valve cover, covers the valves
Jk, not really. You will see the cams and the timing chain when you take it off.