2L-TE Engine Mystery

[KlemWild]

Hi,

I have a 1990 Hilux Surf with a 2L-TE that has me totally baffled.

About 2 weeks ago I had an instance where the engine stumbled when I turned on the airconditioning to removed fogging on the windshield. It immediately lost power and was not generating any electricity or power steering/brake. I turned off the air con and limped home.

On inspection I found that the crank pulley and all the belts were not turning while the engine was running. My mechanic pulled it apart and the crank pulley had been broken at the keyway. Everything else seemed fine. I found a used pulley had it installed. Everything appeared to work fine after this. The engine started well, idled well and would rev well while stopped.

I took it for a drive after being fixed and found that there was absolutely no power and the engine hardley wanted to rev. My initial thoughts were that the engine wasn't getting any boost from the turbo. I checked all the plenums, intake manifold, exhaust manifold, wastegate actuator and wastegate, and it appears, from the intake side, that the turbo is turning well.

I have a couple of engine codes, 4 and 12. I understand these to be the coolant sensor and the timer control valve for fuel.

Given the very sluggish response, no power and inability to rev I'm guessing the engine isn't getting fuel under load. But I'm just guessing.

I would appreciate some help from the collective wisdom I've found here previously.

Karl in Courtenay

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Now, you said that none of the belts were turning.... that means the water pump wasn't turning either (it is on the same belts as the alternator). If that was the case, then it most certainly overheated and you may have fried the head or head gasket. Does your oil look milky?

The heads on the 2LT-E cracks at operating temperature, let alone with some overheating. I'd unfortunately put my money on that being your problem.

The only other thing I can think of would be that the shock that killed your pulley also messed up the IP or timing belt.

Dan

 

[KlemWild]

Interesting

Hi Dan,

Thanks for this. I don't think it could have overheated as time running was less than 5 minutes. It takes about 2 minutes from where I live to get to the mechanic so getting it to him probably wasn't very hot either. The oil is black as coal. The head was changed to a 3L about 50K ago and the water pump and timing belt were changed in the summer. I also had the rad recored at time as well.

Is there any other way to check for head problems? Would it rev to 3500 or 4000 while standing still?

Karl

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Hi Dan,

Thanks for this. I don't think it could have overheated as time running was less than 5 minutes. It takes about 2 minutes from where I live to get to the mechanic so getting it to him probably wasn't very hot either. The oil is black as coal. The head was changed to a 3L about 50K ago and the water pump and timing belt were changed in the summer. I also had the rad recored at time as well.

5 minutes is plenty of time to overheat it, especially if the engine is already warm. Even with the T-stat closed, the water really should at least circulate through the engine block to avoid hot spots.

Is there any other way to check for head problems? Would it rev to 3500 or 4000 while standing still?

Karl

I don't know. I'll try with mine maybe this afternoon when I head up to the shop. That sounds loud.

Have you done a compression check? That might show a head problem, but it also might not.

Dan

 

[KlemWild]

Hi Dan,

I haven't done a compression check but it seems to run well at idle and under initial load (to 2000 rpm). The engine check codes I've gotten seem to indicate something with the fuel system. I'm kinda leaning toward the fuel filter being clogged. How often should these be changed? Any idea what a timer control valve is?

Thanks,

Karl

 

[pappy]

This would probably get more hits in the Diesel Section. I can move it if you want.

Da' Deputy Sheriff

 

[KlemWild]

Hey Pappy!

Thanks for the offer. If it would get more hits that would be great. Please move it.

Karl

 

[simonliew]

Hi,if i remember right,the waterpump on the 2LT-E is driven by the timingbelt,not the otherbelts.
simon

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Hi,if i remember right,the waterpump on the 2LT-E is driven by the timingbelt,not the otherbelts.
simon

Nope. Definitely not the timing belt.


It's the double V-belts off the crank pulley and then to the alternator/vac pump that turns the water pump (at least on my 2LT-E)

As to your question on the fuel filter.... My check engine light comes on if the filter is clogged. It also doesn't make power like that at all. I have an el-cheapo screen filter before my Toyota fuel filter, and I clean that at every oil change. The fuel filter I'm changing about every 25,000 miles or so.

Dan

 

[KlemWild]

Thanks Dan,

I guess I should start with the easy stuff. I'll change the fuel filter, as I don't know the last time it was changed. Does anyone know who has one on Vancouver Island? Maybe up island?

Karl

 

[roscoFJ73]

Does the 2LTE have some kind of sensor that sends a signal to the fuel pump from the crankshaft?
I seem to remember someone having the same kind of symptoms.
I was wondering of it was forgotten in the pulley change over.
The engine will run but its as sluggish as hell.

 

[Radd Cruisers]

Given the codes and the lack of power/revving I would say that the lift pump is dead. This is not uncommon in the rotary pumps when they get old or have a fuel starvation problem.

I would, however, check your fuel filter first. I like to see these getting changed once a year at least.

I have injection pumps in stock.

~John

 

[Radd Cruisers]

Does the 2LTE have some kind of sensor that sends a signal to the fuel pump from the crankshaft?

[...]

The engine will run but its as sluggish as hell.

Yes, there is a crank sensor on the block - it's about mid way along the block below the intake manifold. It sends crank position information to the computer to time the IP in conjunction with the sensor that's in the pump.


~john

 

[buggyboy7]

Hi Karl,

Welcome to MUD and 2LTE fun. I live right near you and have spent extensive time with this gem of an engine. Mine is in an LJ78 Prado. The fuel filters (P/N 23303-64010) can be had at Brian Rice Toyota. They get them in special order in a couple days. My head cracked early on but through various mods it now seems reliable. I'm over 100,000K now since changing the head. If you need any help and/or info PM me. I know where you can get your compression check done and can help you find parts locally if required.

Cheers
Keith

 

[KlemWild]

Hi John and Keith,

Thanks for the help. I'll follow-up and try out the fuel filter first and then see what happens. I'm hoping that it's simple LOL.

Karl

 

[Radd Cruisers]

I have fuel filter in stock and there are Napa numbers for them as well (though the cost is higher).

~John

 

[KlemWild]

Thanks John,

What's your price for these?

Karl

 

[KlemWild]

Fuel Filter Change

Well, that went ridiculously easy. The fuel filter has been changed and no change in the power. I took it for a test drive and everything about it seems right except that there's no power as it rev's. I've checked the engine codes and I'm still getting 4 and 12. Any diagnostic suggestions?

Thanks,

Karl

 

[roscoFJ73]

Is the crank sensor connected? Could have something to do with code 12

Is your fuel pump full? I think you could check this by removing the fuel return and see if any fuel is coming out .
Most fuel pumps draw up to 4 times as much as the engine uses and recycle it back to the fuel tank or fuel filter(this keeps the pump cool).
If the feed pump is worn ,it will run,but the pump will be starved of fuel.

 

[KlemWild]

Thanks

I'll check the crank sensor first and then see what's happening at the pump.

Thanks for the help.

I'll check back once I've tried this.

Karl