GTSSportCoupe
2LTE abuser
One thing I've noticed with the 2LTE's, is the motors that have seen the most oil changes with the 'best' oil seem to have the most blow-by. These motors that I've seen have also had a lot of light duty operation, such as short trip city driving, and idling in heavy traffic.
I recently read a thread in the Hilux Surf forum (quoted post below) regarding oil for these old diesels. I suspect this could apply to the 1HZ, 1PZ, 1HDT, 1KZ etc. also (same generation Toyota diesel engines).
This info got me thinking that perhaps using the wrong API spec oil for the conditions (light duty) have lead to a degree of cylinder bore glazing in many of these motors.
I've been using primarily Shell Rotella T4 15W40. I do oil changes every 3000km because of all the short cold driving I do. I've attached a picture below of how my engine looks inside. The motor has developed quite a bit of blowby (air movement out PCV or oil filler). And now I'm wondering if I should have been using a lower API oil and changing it less often.
I also recently bought a Hilux Surf that came with a huge wad of receipts. TONS of oil changes. Motor has been pampered. It has even more blow-by (again, air movement out PCV or oil filler).
Friend of mine recently bought a Prado LJ78 that had only seen long haul driving and long oil change intervals (mildly neglected). That engine had by far the LEAST blow-by of any 2LTE I've ever seen! He parted the truck out, and I bought the dirty old nasty short block to swap into my truck...LOL.
The fellow in the article recommended an API CF-4 spec oil (and no higher). Anyone know of an off the shelf oil that meets this spec?
"
Preferred Oil for 2LTE Engine:
The Rule:
Assuming your engine is in good working condition; an oil that meets and does not overly exceed the following minimum performance specifications and standards is the best oil for your engine according to the manufacturers recommendations (which by the way is):
Manufacturers minimum recommendation (1990 2LTE operating in Japanese service conditions):
- Winter: 10W-30 diesel engine oil with API rating of CD.
- Summer: 10W-40 diesel engine oil with API rating of CD.
(API: American Petroleum Institute)
But our vehicles operate in Australian conditions and better oils have been developed over the years.... Particularly oils for Japanese manufactured diesels which have specific lubrication requirements that differ from European and/or American manufactured diesels. So my interpretation of the theoretical best oil for protection of the 2LTE engine (manufactured between 1990 to 1994) is an oil that meets and does not exceed the following minimum requirements:
- 10W-40 to 15W-40 all seasons; mineral or synthetic
Why a heavier weight (thicker) oil than the Japanese recommendation? Because Australian temperatures are generally warmer than in Japan. There are exceptions offcourse.
- Compliant with API CF or CF-4 specifications.
Oils built to a higher specification than CF-4 (ie: CH-4, CG-4 and CI-4) may have too strong an additive package for the 2LTE (and possibly 1KZTE) engines manufactured between 1990 and 1994. A risk of using this oil is bore glazing for engines that do not see severe duty.
An example of an engine working under severe duty service conditions is a semi-trailer travelling from Brisbane to Perth fully loaded, or a Hilux Surf that does nothing but sit and idle in traffic all day. Service conditions between those two extremes generally represent normal duty service conditions.
- Compliant with JASO DH-1 specifications
Provides improved valve train protection for Japanese manufactured diesels, amongst other things.
(JASO: Japanese Automotive Standards Organisation).
"
Picture of my engine with the pan off. Too damn clean, and likely glazed bores. I'm pulling it out next week and putting in a different short block (the one I mentioned above that had no blow-by). Will pull apart my old short block to try and determine if glazing really is the problem.
I recently read a thread in the Hilux Surf forum (quoted post below) regarding oil for these old diesels. I suspect this could apply to the 1HZ, 1PZ, 1HDT, 1KZ etc. also (same generation Toyota diesel engines).
This info got me thinking that perhaps using the wrong API spec oil for the conditions (light duty) have lead to a degree of cylinder bore glazing in many of these motors.
I've been using primarily Shell Rotella T4 15W40. I do oil changes every 3000km because of all the short cold driving I do. I've attached a picture below of how my engine looks inside. The motor has developed quite a bit of blowby (air movement out PCV or oil filler). And now I'm wondering if I should have been using a lower API oil and changing it less often.
I also recently bought a Hilux Surf that came with a huge wad of receipts. TONS of oil changes. Motor has been pampered. It has even more blow-by (again, air movement out PCV or oil filler).
Friend of mine recently bought a Prado LJ78 that had only seen long haul driving and long oil change intervals (mildly neglected). That engine had by far the LEAST blow-by of any 2LTE I've ever seen! He parted the truck out, and I bought the dirty old nasty short block to swap into my truck...LOL.
The fellow in the article recommended an API CF-4 spec oil (and no higher). Anyone know of an off the shelf oil that meets this spec?
"
Preferred Oil for 2LTE Engine:
The Rule:
Assuming your engine is in good working condition; an oil that meets and does not overly exceed the following minimum performance specifications and standards is the best oil for your engine according to the manufacturers recommendations (which by the way is):
Manufacturers minimum recommendation (1990 2LTE operating in Japanese service conditions):
- Winter: 10W-30 diesel engine oil with API rating of CD.
- Summer: 10W-40 diesel engine oil with API rating of CD.
(API: American Petroleum Institute)
But our vehicles operate in Australian conditions and better oils have been developed over the years.... Particularly oils for Japanese manufactured diesels which have specific lubrication requirements that differ from European and/or American manufactured diesels. So my interpretation of the theoretical best oil for protection of the 2LTE engine (manufactured between 1990 to 1994) is an oil that meets and does not exceed the following minimum requirements:
- 10W-40 to 15W-40 all seasons; mineral or synthetic
Why a heavier weight (thicker) oil than the Japanese recommendation? Because Australian temperatures are generally warmer than in Japan. There are exceptions offcourse.
- Compliant with API CF or CF-4 specifications.
Oils built to a higher specification than CF-4 (ie: CH-4, CG-4 and CI-4) may have too strong an additive package for the 2LTE (and possibly 1KZTE) engines manufactured between 1990 and 1994. A risk of using this oil is bore glazing for engines that do not see severe duty.
An example of an engine working under severe duty service conditions is a semi-trailer travelling from Brisbane to Perth fully loaded, or a Hilux Surf that does nothing but sit and idle in traffic all day. Service conditions between those two extremes generally represent normal duty service conditions.
- Compliant with JASO DH-1 specifications
Provides improved valve train protection for Japanese manufactured diesels, amongst other things.
(JASO: Japanese Automotive Standards Organisation).
"
Picture of my engine with the pan off. Too damn clean, and likely glazed bores. I'm pulling it out next week and putting in a different short block (the one I mentioned above that had no blow-by). Will pull apart my old short block to try and determine if glazing really is the problem.
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