1KZ series diesel engine question

[coldtaco]

Haven't heard much about this engine at all since we don't get that one here in the US. Have always been interested in this engine for a swap into a Tacoma since the engine bay is the same as that on the 90 series cruisers/4Runners. What's the good, the bad? Got any weak spots like the 2L-t engines? Thanks.

 

[coldtaco]

Nobody has any experience with this engine? I guess I could ask this in the diesel section, but thought I would try here as this is the most common application for this engine.

 

[Dougal]

Real common over here (New Zealand). Probably 80+% of the prados here have that engine.

Early ones crack heads (typical toyota diesel really) but otherwise a good engine.
Workmates 96 prado did a head at 80,000km, the new head was a quite different design to the one that cracked. Haven't heard of it being a problem with the newer ones.

My brother has a 2003 hilux with the same engine, no problems yet.
No big torque wave, just a nice smooth power delivery.

 

[coldtaco]

Any ideas to when they changed the cylinder head design?

 

[Dougal]

Any ideas to when they changed the cylinder head design?

I understand it's been changed several times. When they stop cracking they'll stop changing the design.

Because it's such a common problem, it's a much cheaper fix than a head job on any other similar engine. Supply vs demand and all that.

 

[coldtaco]

So if I understand you correctly Toyota has not quite fixed the design yet, though they keep trying? Or, they had x amound made before the flaw was found and instead to throwing away the rest, they still use the flawed design, but have a replacement design/unit that they use whenever the problem rears its ugly head?

 

[Dougal]

So if I understand you correctly Toyota has not quite fixed the design yet, though they keep trying? Or, they had x amound made before the flaw was found and instead to throwing away the rest, they still use the flawed design, but have a replacement design/unit that they use whenever the problem rears its ugly head?

I don't know what current revision they're up to or whether the problem has been fixed as real world use often goes above and beyond what can be simulated in the factory.
My brothers truck is 2003 and has had no problems, but that's not a guarantee of anything.

 

[Roktruk]

4th revision, apparently (see my other thread).

Apart from that glitch, it's a fantastic motor, will cruise all day on the speed limit (and beyond)

The motor has been around since the early 90's in various forms. with a dump pipe, 3" exhaust and pigyback chip they perform quite well.

Economy could be better, I average 12-12.5 l/100kms, but I drive it pretty hard