Toyota 2.8 non-turbo diesel (2 Viewers)

[islandrider]

Hi,

I have had a brief search through the forums, but figure I need some more info.

I am looking at importing a Toyoto Hiace (in addition to a Delica for 4wd) but I know almost nothing about the Toyota engines.

The van I am looking at has a 1991 2.8L non-turbo. I have seen that some say this is not a great engine? Head issues and not great MPG? Others had told me previously that they thought these were good, so I am confused.

I welcome thoughts/information/opinions etc on this and other toyota engines.

Thanks!

 

[DanS HJ-45]

The 2.8Litre engine is the 3L. I haven't heard of any head issues with the 3L. In fact, one of the fixes for the weak 2LT-E heads (like I have) is to replace them with a 3L head.

I think that in the Hilux the 3L is pretty efficient. In the 30 mpg range IIRC. If you aren't carrying huge loads, I think it'll be pretty efficient for you.

I wouldn't hesitate to own a 3L powered vehicle.

Dan

 

[crushers]

you need to update your information.
the "upgraded" replacement 3L heads are cracking now as well...
as well as 30 mpg is total BS, the real life reports back are low to mid 20s...

 

[Greg_B]

Are you talking about the 3L head on a 2LT (2.4L turbocharged IDI engine) Wayne?

The naturally aspirated 2.8L "3L" engine is supposed to be slow, but reliable afaik.

gb

 

[PhrogsPhorever]

I;ve been over in Japan for the last 4 years and had two diesel vehicles, the asian diesels are pretty good.

I had a Toyota Hiace pickem-up truck and a Mitsubishi Delica for the last 4 years. The engines are bulletproof. The guy I sold the pickup to after I got the Delica used and abused it, heat siezed the engine a couple a times, still running. The Turbo desil on the Delica is pretty nice too.
The 30MPG is a far stretch. My Toyo pickup (aspirated) got roughly 18 mpg if I drove normally. The Delica got less than that (granted I was pushing 31/10.50's with a lift on it) Granted these are older trucks, the newer vehicles are getting better mileage.

Can't go wrong with the overseas diesels, the only issue will be getting parts from the USA dealerships.

Also, the price to convert the vehicles to get them up to US code and safety standards can run up to $6-10K depending on what needs to be done, not the case on all vehicles, but it can run that high on newer trucks. Older vehicles before a cetain year (a bud of mine shipped a mint FJ60 diesel back with minimal mods to get it street legal in the US) don't apply to it sometimes, but newer trucks can cost you.
Safety and crash worthieness is not as big of an issue overseas as it is in the US and in parts of Europe. The cars over here get totaled in what would be a minor accident with a US spec vehicle.

Do your reasarch on the vehicle with customs and the DMV first. Importing Asian vehicles are a whole different ball of wax.

S/F
Kush

To give a base on the years of the vehicles. The Toyota was a 1989 Hiace Pickup, the Mitsubishi was a 1996 Delica Space Gear. The Delicas rock, I wish they had the market for them in the States

 

[cody c]

a little off topic, but the advertisement for the new prado diesel is boasting a maximum range of 1900km's per tank of fuel. That wouldnt be bad compared to my 3B.

 

[Martin White]

Is 1,900 a typo? How big is the tank(s)? Even an 81 with factory subtank is "only" 145 litres. I'd like to have a range of over 1,000 km for sure.

 

[roscoFJ73]

Are you talking about the 3L head on a 2LT (2.4L turbocharged IDI engine) Wayne?

The naturally aspirated 2.8L "3L" engine is supposed to be slow, but reliable afaik.

gb

Correct ,and in fact all the L diesel range were ok until they turboed them.
Plenty of old 2L around with a couple of hundred thousand klms on them.

What kills most small non turbo diesels is drivers getting frustrated with the slow speeds.

 

[Tosb]

"The van I am looking at has a 1991 2.8L non-turbo. I have seen that some say this is not a great engine? Head issues and not great MPG? Others had told me previously that they thought these were good, so I am confused."

When I started researching Hiaces nearly 2 years ago, 2.8L non-turbo had shining reviews from around the world with frequent references to the 'bullet-proof' engine. I have owned a 1991 2.8L 4wd Hiace (Automatic) here in the Okanagan (BC, Canada) for nearly 1 year (~25-30,000KM?) and have made several trips over the Coquihalla Hwy to Vancouver area & back. Yes, it is a little sluggish at times, particularly if you don't take the hills right, but for cryin' out load, lets face it - if we are looking at Hiaces, we are family folk in the mini-van market, so 'cool' and 'fast' are all relative terms. . The space and general functionality are hard to beat, and if I ever stop to wonder what I might replace it with from the local market, there just isn't anything in my opinion that even remotely compares. My brother-in-law owns a 2006 Sienna (2wd) - very nice van, and certainly has the classy new look and smell, but even if I had the $ I wouldn't. There are just too many great features of our trusty old hiace to justify trading it in. And in fact, with the right sized tires, a set of roof racks and a canoe on top, it actually does look pretty cool... for a family van.

Of all the fuel additives I have tried, so far Lucas fuel treatement seems to provide best performance - no smoke and noticable improvement in acceleration. 100 km/hr comfrotable hwy speed - how much faster do you need to go? I tried it up to 130-140 once in the early days just to see what I had bought; seemed fine, but probably not healthy long term and no-one should make a habit out of that anyway due to safety & local laws. Best mileage since I have owned it was 26MPG, avg 24MPG, but without fail letting the fuel level drop below 1/4 tank inevitably results in poorer acceleration, mileage, and smoking exhaust. Not sure if I could cure that by cleaning the tank somehow????

I notice that I have to top up the oil between changes, but that may be typical of the engine???

Also, by very nature of the design, noticable road noise. You get used to it, but I must say that was perhaps the most memorable expereince/difference when I drove my brother in law's Sienna... quiet ride.

So, would I import a 1991 hiace all over again - yes... but having said that, they are notoriously hard to satisfy BC 'safety' regs (headlights), and I've lost track of developments over the past year to know if it is even possible now. Anyone have any word on that?