3.4 crankshaft endplay

[ebutlerfj40]

Replaced the timing belt on my 2000 3.4 4runner @ 201,000mi. today. While I had it apart I noticed the crankshaft would move front to rear about 1/4"! I know that this isn't good. I thought that these motors would go more than 200,000mi! Especially with the amsoil synthetic oil I have used since I bought it with 50,000mi.

Has anyone else had this problem? I'm hoping the bottom end is like the 3.0 where I can drop the pan and bearing girdle and replace the thrust bearings.

What could have caused this? It's an auto, so it can't be from driving with your foot on the clutch. It hasn't been abused or poorly mantained. Balooned torque converter??

I still love Toyotas, but this sucks! Thanks for any input!!

 

[cruiser88]

ohhhhhhhhh sounds like the bearing thats on the tail end of the motor might be bad or missing? Anybody do clutch work recently?

 

[ebutlerfj40]

ohhhhhhhhh sounds like the bearing thats on the tail end of the motor might be bad or missing? Anybody do clutch work recently?

Its an auto. I've heard of torque converters that can balloon or expand after they get warm that could possibly put stress on the thrust bearings, but I don't know how to determine if that is what is happening.

 

[FlatlandTRD]

Update:

So Eric dropped the pan and found the thrust washers in it. This is the first I've heard of this, and there were no signs. Guess maybe we should check crankshaft end play. I expected a lot more out of the 3.4.

Had he not been as anal as he is, it would have been driven till it detonated, and we might not of had this bit of info (at his expense albeit).

 

[raydouble]

So Eric dropped the pan and found the thrust washers in it. This is the first I've heard of this, and there were no signs. Guess maybe we should check crankshaft end play. I expected a lot more out of the 3.4.

Had he not been as anal as he is, it would have been driven till it detonated, and we might not of had this bit of info (at his expense albeit).

Good info to have.....thanks

 

[Duane]

That seems pretty surprising.... so where the washers in 1 piece or several well worn pieces?
I am thinking ..root cause failure analysis..
What caused this to happen or was something not installed correctly from the get go? At 200K you wouldn't think that improper initial assembly is possible.
I'm curious now..wanna see a picture of a 3.4 caught milliseconds after self destruction to see where the thrust is taken and how these washers are retained in place.

 

[ebutlerfj40]

I'll try to get some pics posted up soon. Basically the rear bearing failed and allowed the crank to move forward far enough to cause the front bearing to drop out. The crank has been riding on the bearing journal for so long that the groove for the thrust bearing is completely gone!! I've been driving it for a couple of weeks now with no bearings at all and it seems to run fine. Who knows how long it has been that way.

The pieces I found in the oil pan: Rear bearing was thin and a dark color from heat. Front was thick but beaten up.

What caused this?? Is it possible for the auto tranny to have a problem causing it to push forward on the engine??

I was using Amsoil 0w30 synthetic at 15k drain intervals. Maybe that was a mistake.

 

[pillguy]

I am hearing that the synthetics should be changed every 7500 miles. I have it in my saab and had it changed at 10k, still think that is too many miles on it.

I was using Amsoil 0w30 synthetic at 15k drain intervals. Maybe that was a mistake.