HELP PLEASE! I'm stuck in the wilderness with a dead fxj80

[surfpig]

Amazing...

 

[Pin_Head]

a preventative HG replacement? is that necessary? I have heard lots of talk about HG failures... are the factory ones weak? What do you replace them with? will I have to get the block and head decked?

The FSM says to remove the cylinder head to remove the timing chain cover. The head gasket also seals the top of the timing chain cover. You may be able to get the timing chain cover off and reuse the same head gasket without removing the head, but the oil pan has to come out. There is enough stuff that has to be done to consider removing the engine and doing the work on a stand. It can be done in place, but there is also the possibility that more bad things will be revealed when you get the cover off. Time to take stock of your entire engine situation. It might be time to do the HG or get a new short block or an entire new engine. Amazon will deliver a rebuilt one to your door for $4,300.

 

[alia176]

I agree on removing the engine to do HG and other stuff. If I ever do another HG project, the engine is coming out. Jut the oil pan alone is a huge PITA to remove. I did a writeup on this in the FAQ section.

The FSM says to remove the cylinder head to remove the timing chain cover. The head gasket also seals the top of the timing chain cover. You may be able to get the timing chain cover off and reuse the same head gasket without removing the head, but the oil pan has to come out. There is enough stuff that has to be done to consider removing the engine and doing the work on a stand. It can be done in place, but there is also the possibility that more bad things will be revealed when you get the cover off. Time to take stock of your entire engine situation. It might be time to do the HG or get a new short block or an entire new engine. Amazon will deliver a rebuilt one to your door for $4,300.

 

[bryanb]

The FSM says to remove the cylinder head to remove the timing chain cover. The head gasket also seals the top of the timing chain cover. You may be able to get the timing chain cover off and reuse the same head gasket without removing the head, but the oil pan has to come out. There is enough stuff that has to be done to consider removing the engine and doing the work on a stand. It can be done in place, but there is also the possibility that more bad things will be revealed when you get the cover off. Time to take stock of your entire engine situation. It might be time to do the HG or get a new short block or an entire new engine. Amazon will deliver a rebuilt one to your door for $4,300.

Thank you for the detailed feedback. What about the timing chain breaking causes you to think a new short block may be in order?

My compression numbers as of 2,000 miles ago were 168, 163, 166, 170, 165, 172. However, my truck does stink pretty bad when it starts up and idles (I'm amazed it passed smog) It burns 1/2qt per 1,000 miles.

 

[Pin_Head]

You won't know the extent of the damage until you get it apart. If the condition of the engine is not that great anyway (oil leaks, high mileage, oil burning, etc), then biting the bullet and renewing it now may be a good option for the long run.

 

[Bear Lake Cruiser]

Just found and read this thread. I am very impressed by the help being offered to Bryan through this with a help trip being mobilized while Bryan dropped out of cell range during trouble shooting. You guys c are the best!

 

[landcruiser80]

My money was on the Head Gasket...

I was sure you were going to point out that since 3fe's don't have timing chains the OP would still be driving his truck if he had a 3fe.
I guess I will say it, You will never be stuck in the bush with a 3fe due to a broken timing chain

 

[LS1FJ40]

I was sure you were going to point out that since 3fe's don't have timing chains the OP would still be driving his truck if he had a 3fe.
I guess I will say it, You will never be stuck in the bush with a 3fe due to a broken timing chain

I didn't want to twist the knife. But since you brought it up...

 

[GmonkeyMan]

I just did (had done) my timing chain at 220K. Got it back a couple weeks ago. Was making 'that' sound. Youknowwhatimean. I heard that sound in my 97 at 300K right before that engine went kerpluie. Long story. The "while you are in there" list was long.... We (he) replaced all the 23 year old rubber hoses ad-nasium. New rings to address oil consumption. New berrings to spark plugs. HG. Whole shebang. 2500 bucks,,, but man does Clifford run better now. Night and day difference. I stopped in and saw the piston walls. Still had the factory cross-hatching. Zero funk, gunk or sludge in there. (Go-go-gadget Amsoil). The mech told me he was straight up impressed.
And now I'm thinking about sellin her. ....... As I've never even come close to needing the "tankishness" of the 80 series, and parts are starting to get scarce. A 100 series, lightly built, is a better fit for my family. But not my pride...
Sigh....
Glad to hear you got home safe.

 

[1973Guppie]

can you do a compression test, wet and dry and leak down test to get some more ideas of what might be going on inside? if it were me I would want to rule that out first. Then you know it's something external from the engine timing. Also maybe double check your timing? has the disty been rotated at all when you worked on it?

Relevant if he had spark and fuel but no start but he doesn't have spark. OP, Your latest CEL is pointing you in the direction to look. Keep digging. I think you're almost there

thus why I mentioned confirmed compression and timing!

 

[70Cruza]

Speaking of bottom ends................Anyone know for certain if short blocks are still available?? I found a couple online however did not call to verify stock. My 80 is at 255,xxx and Id like to start building a replacement heart for her, later this year for the IF and when hers gives out....

Heres where I found some listed. I have a 1994 Model......

Maybe the info will help the OP out as well


SHORT BLOCK ASSEMBLY


Short block assembly. Fits: 1994 Toyota Land Cruiser 4500CC EFI | Toyota Parts Webstore

NO disrespect intended to any of our beloved Parts Guys here!!!!!!!!!!!! I just Found these over the past couple nights of working graveyards.......

 

[bryanb]

The FSM says to remove the cylinder head to remove the timing chain cover. The head gasket also seals the top of the timing chain cover. You may be able to get the timing chain cover off and reuse the same head gasket without removing the head, but the oil pan has to come out. There is enough stuff that has to be done to consider removing the engine and doing the work on a stand. It can be done in place, but there is also the possibility that more bad things will be revealed when you get the cover off. Time to take stock of your entire engine situation. It might be time to do the HG or get a new short block or an entire new engine. Amazon will deliver a rebuilt one to your door for $4,300.

I agree on removing the engine to do HG and other stuff. If I ever do another HG project, the engine is coming out. Jut the oil pan alone is a huge PITA to remove. I did a writeup on this in the FAQ section.

You won't know the extent of the damage until you get it apart. If the condition of the engine is not that great anyway (oil leaks, high mileage, oil burning, etc), then biting the bullet and renewing it now may be a good option for the long run.

OK, OK. You guys have talked me into making this a much larger project than I need or want at this time in life.

I got the truck over to a garage that's tall enough for me to pull the engine. We began preparing this weekend (radiator is out, top two bell housing bolts are out, and a bunch of other minor stuff is out). Hopefully we'll get it pulled in the next couple weeks.

If you guys care to follow along or help me figure out how to do this project and what I should be replacing while I'm in there, please join me over at Pulling my Engine - What should I replace as PM?

Thank you ALL!

 

[TexasJack]

Yeah I am. I don't like hearing about people being stuck or injured or worse especially when it involves a Cruiser.

If you have ever had to walk 30 miles overnight from the middle of nowhere, you can definitely empathize with someone else in that situation.

Strangely enough, the most stressful part is leaving your vehicle and all your tools behind when you start your trek! You dread coming back and either finding it on blocks and all of your tools gone or the entire vehicle gone!

 

[NLXTACY]

If you have ever had to walk 30 miles overnight from the middle of nowhere, you can definitely empathize with someone else in that situation.

Strangely enough, the most stressful part is leaving your vehicle and all your tools behind when you start your trek! You dread coming back and either finding it on blocks and all of your tools gone or the entire vehicle gone!

I was just a Funnel Lake a few months ago and there was an 4Runner stuck on the trail on an incline and blocking the path. No one to be seen. Pitman arm had snapped in half.

Thought about pulling down the path but decided against since it was in park. But it was in the way. It had bags in the bag and a new winch of front. Prime target.

Wound up leaving it there and just found a different path.

 

[TexasJack]

I am sorry for BryanB that he had this experience but this entire thread was a brain-breakingly thorough analysis of potential ignition problems and how to work through it on the trail. Another great reason to be a Mud member!

It is still a mind bender the timing chain broke. I never even considered that as a potential danger on the trail. Not something I want to repair on the trail. This is truely one of those times when you tow it to town and then work on it.

 

[mtrdud]

If the engine "bellied out" and came down on the crank position sensor or wiring, it might have damaged it.
There is no cam position sensor.

Look at the front edge of your oil pan. The wires are under a metal cover. Here's a pic of what it would look like with the engine upside-down.

View attachment 1200595

Does anybody know the part umber for the crank position sensor seal?

 

[mtrdud]

Well I just realized there isn't a seal available. WTF!

 

[blkprj80]

Well I just realized there isn't a seal available. WTF!

That's correct. But you can slather a bunch of FIPG around your old seal, or someone here posted how to use two different sized o-rings to achieve a good seal.

 

[bryanb]

****UPDATE****

There's no need to worry about your factory Toyota timing chain. Turns out mine didn't simply fail without explanation. It digested a bolt

I'm not 100% sure where it came from yet. I'm guessing it was hanging out in the oil pan and the big bump launched it up into the crank gear or chain.

 

[Eicca]

CSI: IH8MUD.