Higher mileage 2nd gen 5.7 Tundra (3 Viewers)

[lt1fire]

I'm going to look at a 2008 Tundra extended cab 5.7 4x4 on Friday. It has 250,000 miles and I don't know anything about the 3UR motor. How reliable is this motor when compared to a 2uz? What are some known issues I should look out for? Any worries about the miles? I've had ever version of the UZ motor 1, 2 and 3 and I know that overall they will last pretty much forever if taken care of. The thing that worries me is a see a ton of 2nd gen tundras with the 5.7 3ur for sale that are for sale as need a new motor, major motor issues, and after googling I can't seem to find a reason why that would be?

 

[AmericanKing]

Currently in the market for a 2nd gen too. The only issues i’ve seen are the cam tower leaks. I guess Toyota has determined it to be seepage. Most have the seepage issue. If it’s not leaking on the ground it shouldn’t be an issue.

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

The heat exchanger in the valley can spring a leak. You want to look for dried coolant on the transmission bell housing. No real way to check it otherwise.

The cam tower leaks as mentioned and spark plug tube leaks.

The early 2nd gens had issues with the secondary air injection pumps...my 21 did too. Luckily it only had 18k when it happened and was warranty worked.

With everyone looking for Tundras I need to get mine detailed and listed. I'm tired of the payment.

 

[AZBoatHauler]

If possible - listen for timing chain slap on cold start. Sometimes the chain tensioners don’t tension properly after lots of miles.

 

[lt1fire]

Thanks for the reply guys


Doesn't seem like a ton to go wrong. Im guessing chain tensioner are easy to replace like most are. Never delt with air injection
Is there a downside to just deleting it?

 

[cruiserpilot]

I got my 2010 RCSB with 315000 km or thereabouts. It’s a Toyota so mileage isn’t a real problem.
The truck you are looking at should depend on how those miles were accumulated. Is the rest of
the truck tight and in good shape? Make sure you cycle thru the 4Hi and 4Lo. Read up on how they
work. You have to follow sequence with these things. But make sure it cycles thru and it works.
Use a loose gravel road so you can do it slow. If it’s clean and dry, no obvious leaks and find out
who/when maintenance has been done. Oil changes etc. 6 spd transmission is tough and sealed.
There are lots out there, I think people don’t want to feed the beast - heavy foot high fuel bill.

 

[Jgrauman]

If possible - listen for timing chain slap on cold start. Sometimes the chain tensioners don’t tension properly after lots of miles.

Mines an 18 with 63k, it has done this a few times

 

[bigredmachine]

How reliable is this motor when compared to a 2uz? What are some known issues I should look out for? Any worries about the miles?

i would say a little less reliable but your comparing it to a motor that just needed oil changes, spark plugs and the occasional timing. and even then ive seen way too many miles on the original t-belt and the belt was still okish.

only real issues that i remember were the cam carriers leaking, water pump leaking but thats every toyota with pink coolant, the air pumps can fail due to them sucking up water from sitting in the wheel well., less common issues were the starter going out, not a big deal just a pain to replace it, saw a few headgaskets one was on a super charged motor, timing cover leak again not very common and i had to do a rear main seal on one that wass a work truck with over 300k.

i wouldnt be too worried about the mileage, its still a solid motor and i never really saw any major issues. anything that was common issues were minor and easy to repair.

as for replacing the timing chain tensioners i guess their easy if you dont thing that taking the front of the motor off is hard. you might be able to sneak out the cam tensioners out with the valve cover off but i dont really remember. and i dont really remember anyone replacing the tensioners unless the motor was getting a full teardown for whatever reason or the cust specifically requested it

 

[lt1fire]

Thanks for all the responses. Yep chain tensionsers on most V8's require that. I'm just going to chalk it up to PM and tear off the timing cover, replace the seal, water pump, t-stat and tensioners while in there.

Picked up an 07 today. Lots of miles but got it for practically nothing and came with a stack of maintenance records.... although most of it is just oil change, filter change. I think an alternator and water pump are the only things of substance that have ever gone wrong.

 

[lt1fire]

My new Tundra 323k on the Odometer. Double cab 4wd.
Got 16.14 MPG (hand calculated) with mixed driving although mostly highway but a mountain hwy.
Can't wait to see a flat all highway mpg.

 

[Poop Bubbles]

The 5.7 is a very well built engine, better than the 2UZ. My Toyota mechanic buddy regularly sees them roll in with 500-600k miles. If it is well maintained, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one with 250k on it, and have.

 

[AZBoatHauler]

The 5.7 is a very well built engine, better than the 2UZ. My Toyota mechanic buddy regularly sees them roll in with 500-600k miles. If it is well maintained, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one with 250k on it, and have.

First I’ve ever heard someone with the take the UR series engines are better than the UZ. Not sure I’d agree but then again - this is my license plate -

The Sequoia has 248k and counting - 122k on the 200 and 103k on the Tundra. All problem free so far. (knocks on wood)

 

[Poop Bubbles]

First I’ve ever heard someone with the take the UR series engines are better than the UZ. Not sure I’d agree but then again - this is my license plate -

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The Sequoia has 248k and counting - 122k on the 200 and 103k on the Tundra. All problem free so far. (knocks on wood)

Better isn't the right word, "improved" is more fitting. No timing belt, way more power... I've owned both. The drawback is that the 5.7 only comes in behemoth vehicles.

 

[Jarred]

My new Tundra 323k on the Odometer. Double cab 4wd.
Got 16.14 MPG (hand calculated) with mixed driving although mostly highway but a mountain hwy.
Can't wait to see a flat all highway mpg.

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That's one sharp beast!

 

[lt1fire]

Put 10k on it since getting it zero issues have gotten a high of 17.4 mpg 90% highway.
Haven't seen less than 15 so far.

 

[Eddy20]

I purchased a 2008 Tundra TRD, 4x4 with 112,000 on the clock. Since purchase 4 years ago O&F, tires and just had the 100K service, all fluids including diffs and transfer case, plugs. Has 144,000 on the clock and runs excellent. Great truck!

 

[VentoGT]

First I’ve ever heard someone with the take the UR series engines are better than the UZ. Not sure I’d agree but then again - this is my license plate -

View attachment 3750113

The Sequoia has 248k and counting - 122k on the 200 and 103k on the Tundra. All problem free so far. (knocks on wood)

What caused the dent for the hilarious Wyle E Coyote sticker?

 

[AZBoatHauler]

What caused the dent for the hilarious Wyle E Coyote sticker?

Wish I knew - I bought it used with the dent and we added the sticker. My son who turns 16 today will be the primary driver - hopefully we don’t have to add more stickers.

 

[VentoGT]

Wish I knew - I bought it used with the dent and we added the sticker. My son who turns 16 today will be the primary driver - hopefully we don’t have to add more stickers.

Funny was just talking to my neighbor about our 2018GX and mentioned it's likely to be our almost 8 year old's first car

 

[Green4Gulf]

I’m helping a buddy buy a used truck, looking to stay around $25k, and suggested the 5.7 Tundra to him. He wants to be able to tow a larger camper when he gets it. I suggested he gets one with all the bells and whistles since he’ll probably be owning it for a long time. Are there any other issues known with the Tundra I should look into? Or any other threads that have some good info? Thanks in advance.