Is your 80 buzzy? (1 Viewer)

[fzj80kidpen]

It would be interesting for people commenting on buzziness to also comment on when the last time the changed there drive belts and what type of belts. I recently changed replaced mine with OEM was gates and could not believe the difference. I thought for sure that I have vaccum leaks, idler pulley, fan clutch replacements needing replacing. Glad I thought, well I just replace these and see how it runs.
Still has little stumble every now and then at idle while in gear but much much quiter. I remember test driving one before buying my 96 and it had a rather load noise from the transfer case. The one I bought was very quite compared to it.

 

[cruiserdan]

There was a Taos buzz....

-H-

I believe that was actually a hum...............

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

It would be interesting for people commenting on buzziness to also comment on when the last time the changed there drive belts and what type of belts. I recently changed replaced mine with OEM was gates and could not believe the difference. I thought for sure that I have vaccum leaks, idler pulley, fan clutch replacements needing replacing. Glad I thought, well I just replace these and see how it runs.
Still has little stumble every now and then at idle while in gear but much much quiter. I remember test driving one before buying my 96 and it had a rather load noise from the transfer case. The one I bought was very quite compared to it.

Another good point too.

I think in most cases though what we're hearing is simply the nature of the engine itself. All engines have their balanced RPMS and their non-ballanced RPMS. The 6 in the 80 does get rough at certain RPM's. I also think if an 80 owner buys a 100 or some other vehicle with a really smooth V8 or other engine then the 80's character becomes more pronounced.

I can tell you that after a day of wheeling in the 80, we'll come home, shower, then go to dinner and when we get into the 100 and start it seems (because it's real) that 80% of the noise and vibration aren't there. The difference is HUGE! Opposite holds true. You drive the 100, or a Jag, or a whatever then get into an 80 and you'll feel and hear all kinds of things. Does this make the 80 bad? NO! It's just the way it is.

 

[Mr. Toad]

Mine is slightly buzzy. I believe it has to do with the exhaust shroud. It's not enough to worry about.

Now concerning the "smooth" V-8s in other vehicles... I was under the impression that an inline 6 was a smoother engine than a V-8. This I was told by a BMW dealer mechanic discussing his preference for the 6 cylinder BMWs over the V-8s. What's the real dope here, or is it all subjective?

 

[Gauge]

Eric,

By "buzz" you mean a vibration rather than a noise, right?

Mine is very smooth at idle, but on acceleration (any speed), it has a very slight harshness that is felt in the accelerator, the steering wheel, and the seat. No noises.

Looks like we all have the same thing. My rig is SILKY SMOOTH at idle - can't even tell it is running actually, but during acceleration, it has a buzzy vibration feel to it.

 

[Gauge]

Mine is slightly buzzy. I believe it has to do with the exhaust shroud. It's not enough to worry about.

Now concerning the "smooth" V-8s in other vehicles... I was under the impression that an inline 6 was a smoother engine than a V-8. This I was told by a BMW dealer mechanic discussing his preference for the 6 cylinder BMWs over the V-8s. What's the real dope here, or is it all subjective?

I would take in inline 6 over a V8 anyday. I remember reading somewhere years ago about the physics behind the theory that an inline 6 is better, but I forget now. I think it had to do with an inline 6 being perfectly balanced and having more crankshaft bearings than a V8.

All I know is most large diesel trucks (that go over a million miles) are inline 6's (there has to be a reason).

Also, years ago I lived in NY City and I would ALWAYS talk to the cab drivers about thier cabs, how many miles they had, and which cars / engines they thought last the longest. Overwhelmingly, they said the old straight 6's were the best. The GM straight 6 they put in the Checker cabs were good for at least 300K, but when GM switched to the V6's, the cab drivers could only get about 80 to 90K (remember these are HARD city miles) before a rebuild was necesary. That always stuck in my mind.

In a way, I have always seen an inline 6 as more of an "Industrial" motor. Just my .02.

 

[BOUNDER]

Hmmmm...

80% of the noise and vibration aren't there. The difference is HUGE! Opposite holds true. You drive the 100, or a Jag, or a whatever then get into an 80 and you'll feel and hear all kinds of things. Does this make the 80 bad? NO! It's just the way it is.

Or a Jag? No, don't think so. My 80 howls like a BMW underway - and compares better to a Rolls - and that's a desirable thing. The 100 is just a different motor - you can't compare 80/100 on an equal basis (I know you've tried) and has it's share of +/-... including looking more like a Navigator than a Land Cruiser Just the way it is!

 

[tea LC]

I thought my buzz was due to the rotting pipes off the header, or some kind of exhause issue.

I have a noise in the steering wheel area that pisses me off. its a very haphazard *click* of some sort. Not a big deal, I think its the lever on the left. or maybe the steering wheel is about to fall off. not sure. =)

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

I would take in inline 6 over a V8 anyday.
In a way, I have always seen an inline 6 as more of an "Industrial" motor. Just my .02.

With all due respect: If you say this AND you have experience with the 100's V8, then you're in denial. No comparison between those motors. In today's world, if the 100 had the 80's motor, NOBODY'd be buying them in the US. The 80's motor is gutless, it's noisy, rough, and isn't even in the same league as the V8 in the 100.

If however, you say this and you DON'T have experience with the 100's V8 then your opinion is noted, though you might to research and compare before your next purchase.

 

[e9999]

Shotts Buddy!
Your point about the awareness of the (marked) difference in smoothness between the 100 and the 80 was a very good one, and may significantly contribute to the subjective differences in buzzyness we see in the poll and thread. HOWEVER, you are now officially coming very close to highjacking my beautiful buzz thread towards an 80/100 confrontation and there will be heck to pay if this happens, capisce?

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Shotts Buddy!
Your point about the awareness of the (marked) difference in smoothness between the 100 and the 80 was a very good one, and may significantly contribute to the subjective differences in buzzyness we see in the poll and thread. HOWEVER, you are now officially coming very close to highjacking my beautiful buzz thread towards an 80/100 confrontation and there will be heck to pay if this happens, capisce?

;p
;p

Land Bruiser's global statement about a 6 vs an 8 is rediculous (again, globaly, meaning ALL straight 6's are better than V8's). IF HOWEVER, he simply has not experienced the difference in real life, then he could make a buying mistake down the road. We owe it to him to point that out.

There is no one best motor. 4's out-race 8's and visa-versa. There are many factors the determine a superior motor. Let's save Bruiser NOW before he makes a possible mistake down the road? You know how many people in this forum pick up a 2nd, or 3rd, or whatever Cruiser. Heck, I'm looking.

Let's see......hmm, I want a new vehicle.......let's compare the 6 in the 80 to the V8 in an X5? Capisce? ;p

Now, looking Bruiser's signature.....he owns a car with my favorite engine on the planet....the rotary. Way to go Bruiser! I'd LUV a 3-rotor rotary (they don't import them) in a sports car. I'll take the new 2-rotor Renesis in the new Rx8. Gonna get one of thoese Bruiser?

 

[IdahoDoug]

It's been awhile, but I think what's being alluded to in the "sixes are great, others are not" is that an inline 6 cylinder engine is said to be naturally balanced. This has to do with the power pulses being in one dimension (up and down) and occuring every 120 degrees, the many bearings, and the long block that resists movement. I cannot recall all the details.

By comparison, any V engine has some roughness because the power pulses from the angled cylinders cause the block to want to dance the polka a bit more than inlines. The more cylinders you have (BMW V12), or the narrower the angle (witness VW's VR6) the less this occurs.

Inline 4s are rough because the block's not long enough to absorb the pulses. It is for these reasons that a lot of engines have internal balance shafts - especially big 4s. And I'm with the rotary comment - a fabulously smooth, light and compact powerplant that has never been fully exploited due to a reputation for poor economy and seal issues - both holdovers from early generation 12a's.

DougM

 

[perk]

Shotts Buddy!
Your point about the awareness of the (marked) difference in smoothness between the 100 and the 80 was a very good one, and may significantly contribute to the subjective differences in buzzyness we see in the poll and thread. HOWEVER, you are now officially coming very close to highjacking my beautiful buzz thread towards an 80/100 confrontation and there will be heck to pay if this happens, capisce?

I'm kind of surprised ol Shotts' comments havn't elicited more response. I guess all have gotten used to the know-it-all and even arrogant tone he uses when posting anything related to an 80/100 comparison.

e9999,
I consider my 95 to be in excellent running condition. The smoothness of the engine has been commented on by a factory mechanic, and an indy shop owner. I placed mine in the "Buzzy" category, as it runs with what I would call a low-toned buzzy smoothness. It's interesting that the Buzzies and Smoothies are now neck and neck in the pole. I expected the pole to end up showing that buzziness is a normal characteristic of the solid FZJ80 powertrain. Perhaps some are equating buzzy with being on the rough side?? Perhaps this thread will never give you the answers your looking for...............

Perk

 

[e9999]

the thing is, though, that the poll question -and answers- are highly subjective but it goes likely more towards favoring the smoothies. Easier to call a buzzy engine smooth especially if one lacks comparison than other way around I would think. It is very true that if you have a chance to drive a 100, you'll notice a big difference in the 80 and the latter is bound to feel buzzy...
I'm amazed there are that many buzzies. To me it means this is very likely a normal characteristic of the drivetrain / exhaust.

And yes, by buzzy I definitely don't mean rough. Mine is idling very evenly and has great pickup.

I drove it tonight and paid attention again. Sure enough, if I'm going say at 20 and coasting down it feels smooth but then if I open it up a fair amount, it feels... buzzy!

 

[alaskacruiser]

With all due respect: If you say this AND you have experience with the 100's V8, then you're in denial. No comparison between those motors. In today's world, if the 100 had the 80's motor, NOBODY'd be buying them in the US. The 80's motor is gutless, it's noisy, rough, and isn't even in the same league as the V8 in the 100.

If however, you say this and you DON'T have experience with the 100's V8 then your opinion is noted, though you might to research and compare before your next purchase.

Shotts- please give us a break. Bringing up which motor the general public in the US would or wouldn't buy means nothing- the Tahoe and Expedition's V8s far outsell any other SUV's engines in the USA. Does this mean they are superior? FAR from it. I agree that, because of the current SUV market, the Landcruiser/LX would not sell without a "V8" sticker on it, but this has nothing to do with whether or not the V8 used in the 100 is a better engine.

I would hardly call the 1FZFE motor "gutless", and mine isn't noisy or rough, either. I have driven a 2000 LX and, while the engine is quieter, the experience from the interior is not a huge difference compared to my '97 LX- I often cannot tell if my LX is running from the inside when it is warmed up and idling.

Moreover, having a smoother, quieter engine does not necessarily make the engine superior in terms of reliability or longevity. Until we start seeing some of the LC/LX V8s with 300+k on them, you might want to take it easy and examine your 100-series superiority complex (yes, I know you own both an 80 and a 100). Perk is right- your arrogant tone with regard to the 80/100 topic was funny at first, but it got old about 50 posts ago.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Say what you will about my comments, however there is no denying the 100 is a improved vehicle over the 80, just like the 80 was over the 60. It's newer technology. Automakers gain knowledge and make improvements. So, face it. Don't be upset with me for stating the facts.

This thread was regarding engine roughness and many responses are noted. Why some non-100 owners are so touchy about 80 comments I don't know??

 

[mickyfinn]

I know exactly what you're talking about. It's hard to put into words, and a "buzzing" is definitely not it. It's more of a throaty feeling. I bought my 97 a year ago with 65k (85k now) and have only noticed this harshness in the past few months. I haven't really done much to chase it down but it's coming up for some regular maintenance soon so I'll see if I find anything. I was beginning to chaulk it up to a side effect of hanging around the site here!! hehe

Somewhere back in the postings someone mentioned a cut in the air intake hose. That's something that sounded interesting. Outside of a tune up possibly helping it, I don't think it's something that's going to go away. We'll see.....

E

 

[gregc]

The moving parts of an inline-6 will balance out to the third harmonic. This means that there is very little in the way of unresolved forces within the engine itself...usually translates to good smoothness and efficiency without the use of balance shafts, etc.
The only configuration that balances better is a 60-deg v-12, which IIRC balances to the sixth harmonic. Part of why those Ferarris are sooooooo sweet

 

[BOUNDER]

With all due respect: If you say this AND you have experience with the 100's V8, then you're in denial. No comparison between those motors. In today's world, if the 100 had the 80's motor, NOBODY'd be buying them in the US. The 80's motor is gutless, it's noisy, rough, and isn't even in the same league as the V8 in the 100.

If however, you say this and you DON'T have experience with the 100's V8 then your opinion is noted, though you might to research and compare before your next purchase.

Shotts - you've left me no choice but to execute a net-citizens arrest on you and your mind-numbing post content. I'm pulling the plug and you are BANNED from IH8MUD.com

 

[gregc]

And another thing....
I also have a 2003 Sequoia with the 4.7 v8. Smooth, smooth, smooth!
I haven't really done any side-by-side comparisons, but my sense is that the i6 will pull stumps but tends to run out of breath at high-end, where the v8 has maybe a smidge less pull but winds right up to redline.

I don't know, maybe MY 4.5 has issues at high rpm?