gonna blow my head off

[QuincyWheeler]

hey guys. i have had my 94 2.4 L diesel prado for six months now and yes i blew the head. i took it to a reputable mechanic who specializes in these vehicles here in the lower mainland. they swapped the head for a toyota replacement head (not the 3 L head but an upgrade from the original) i put it through its paces lightly on and off road and was feeling confident so i went for the coquihala hwy. whoops. it was doin so well. the temp gauge climbed ever so slightly but i droped it down a gear, kept going and it rose no more. i made it to the top of the pass and continued on my way. and then after about 10 min bang!! the temp gauge spiked instantly and i pulled over and shut her down. i blew big $$ gettin it back to the shop that had doen the original repair they are going to pull the whole motor, strip it and send it off to the machine shop for pressure testing and machine work. they say it is most likely not he head but posssibly the block. my question for anyone out there is after all this and possibly an intercooler will i ever be able to trust this truck for a long haul. i have read so much and i am maybe asking for info overload but i will take what i can get. thanx. Quincy

 

[lowenbrau]

Don't spend another penny on that motor.

search "2lt head"

Also... Don't spend another penny on that motor.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

I know virtually everyone on the forum hates the 2.4L however for whats its worth the 3L head combined with an improved radiator and larger diameter exhaust has yielded good results in my case. A pyrometer is also highly recommended......1978HJ45

 

[Radd Cruisers]

I know virtually everyone on the forum hates the 2.4L however for whats its worth the 3L head combined with an improved radiator and larger diameter exhaust has yielded good results in my case. A pyrometer is also highly recommended......1978HJ45

Just make sure that horseshoe of yours does not turn upside down.

It's a great little motor until it has problems, then it's a major nightmare.

Best of luck with it (to the guy who just blew his up).

~John

 

[Gun Runner 5]

No horseshoe however I keep a rabbits foot in the glovebox and a few 4-leaf clovers in the ashtray and I have been known to help little old ladies across the street in an effort to improve my karma. Take care...........1978HJ45

 

[QuincyWheeler]

i wont have to pay for labour (the shop has been really cool.) now lets say i re-core the rad with a high performance core, go to a 3 inch exhaust and run it with the replacement head from toyota. then and only then do you think i will ever be able to jam this thing up a big hill on a hot day or will i have to baby it for life.

 

[roscoFJ73]

i wont have to pay for labour (the shop has been really cool.) now lets say i re-core the rad with a high performance core, go to a 3 inch exhaust and run it with the replacement head from toyota. then and only then do you think i will ever be able to jam this thing up a big hill on a hot day or will i have to baby it for life.

No,you have to take the turbo off as well

 

[crushers]

did you even bother doing a search as suggested?
i have done extensive research into these engines and NOTHING you do will make them reliable over the long term. everything you suggest has been tried, there have been a couple that have lived a few thousand km but most would rather just dump the POS onto a unsuspecting buyer and wash their hands.

the "upgraded" Toyota head and the 3L head share the same part number... now isn't that interesting.

get rid of the AC system
4 core rad
2.5" free flowing exhaust
aux oil cooler
fixed fan
higher thermostate
water wetter coolant
!!!PYRO!!! and aftermarket coolant temp gauge (the factory is a suggestion only, by the time it reads LOOK OUT it is too late and the damage is done)

there you go.

my suggestion, sell it back to the importer you bought it off of.

 

[lowenbrau]

To be fair, the Coquihalla is an awesome way to kill any motor. There were hundreds of scorched pavement sections where German cars (not just VWs) spontaneously combusted.

I'd never feel comfortable hammering any engine up snowshed hill but even if it were a brand new rig I wouldn't try it with a 2LT.

Nobody has tried Evans coolant yet though. If anything would help, that might be it.

 

[Radd Cruisers]

i wont have to pay for labour (the shop has been really cool.)
.

Wow, I would never warantee something like that and I am pretty darned generous with how far I go on my warantees. I feel very sorry for that shop, I really do. They've opened a case-o-worms.

I clearly write on the bottom of the invoice AND explain in very clear terms to small diesel owners that there is no promise that these engines will survive after a head is replaced.

Problems with our workmanship I will cover, however engineering problems or refusal to realize that you have to get a complete job done and when the head is done (including the cooling system) is totally not covered in any way.

The 2LTE is a little problem child and always will be. As Wayne has stated, you have to be super nice to this engine or it will suffer horribly.... and even that's no guarantee.



~John

 

[crushers]

i warrantted the first few i brought in and after $30K in warranties i posted up the warnings on my site. i refused to sell any more even though i had 2 in mint condition sitting in the yard. if you clear 3K and spend $4K on warranty is there any sense in selling them?
one became my test unit/wheeling rig and the other became my wifes wheeling rig and DD till the head blew, then it became a parts rig.

too many bad memories of those s*** engines.

 

[beauh]

what is this pyro meter everyone talks about? I'm looking into a KZJ77 down here in Honduras with a 3.0td. I hope that engine doesn't suffer the same as the 2.4's. or does it?

 

[crushers]

yes it does.
Rosco likes to say "not as bad" but to me a time bomb is a time bomb. whether it is a car bomb or a nuclear hit, it still something you want to stay away from.
but
your money so do what you feel comfortable doing.
remember
never invest money you cannot afford to lose.

 

[beauh]

what is a RHD KZJ77 worth up there in Canada? What would someone pay for a LHD if I brought one up from Honduras?

 

[crushers]

the RHD KZJ77(78) is worth almost as much as a HDJ81 in similar condition
a LHD? good money if it is in excellent shape and IF you can find a buyer.
talk to John at Radd Cruisers, he might be interested.

 

[Petzel]

Quincywheeler: i have a 1PZ/R151 for sale if you would like to swap in a great engine/tranny into your truck. It is currently in my PZJ77, but i will be swapping it out for a 1HD-T soon. runs great, 220,000km and you can hear it run in the truck!

 

[roscoFJ73]

yes it does.
Rosco likes to say "not as bad" but to me a time bomb is a time bomb. whether it is a car bomb or a nuclear hit, it still something you want to stay away from.
e.

People keep buying them and car yards keep warranting them and everyone seems happy with the 1KZ here.
Do a search on aussie or european forums,blown heads are not common.

As I understand it ,the 3L head is supposed to have a better coolant flow.

 

[crushers]

and yet the 3L head is dieing here as well...
go figure.