Vvti engine total loss (2 Viewers)

[What is asphalt]

The leaks at the upper oil pan and camshaft where real and was my call after 1 year cleaning and looking where it came from. The other points I let them do because the engine was out so 'While we are there' situation. Timing belt was changed when I got it by Lexus with original parts and was just around 20 thousand mile. I'm a 10000% sure it was still on time. Controlled it and we looked with 2 people at it.

 

[suprarx7nut]

It sounds like the shop didn't follow the very specific procedure for assembling the engine.

Torque specs and the order of assembly matters. Cam shafts can crack when the bearing caps are assembled out of order or to the wrong spec. You must have the cam oriented properly and install each cap in the right order.

My money is on mechanic error here.

A question for the community: Would the snapped cam cause a cracked cylinder? That's a new one for me. Never seen a 2UZ cylinder wall crack. Can poor valve timing cause that? Massive coolant leak filling the chamber with liquid?

Strange...

 

[awesomeissquid]

It sounds like the shop didn't follow the very specific procedure for assembling the engine.

Torque specs and the order of assembly matters. Cam shafts can crack when the bearing caps are assembled out of order or to the wrong spec. You must have the cam oriented properly and install each cap in the right order.

My money is on mechanic error here.

A question for the community: Would the snapped cam cause a cracked cylinder? That's a new one for me. Never seen a 2UZ cylinder wall crack. Can poor valve timing cause that? Massive coolant leak filling the chamber with liquid?

Strange...

100% agree with @suprarx7nut and everyone else that likely the shop caused the cam shaft failure due to not following OEM procedure.

The cracked cylinder wall is very interesting. From the photo it does look like there might be some red liquid in there... Maybe a coolant leak into the cylinder caused it to partially hydro-lock, then the engine tried to power through cracking the cylinder and finally causing the cam shaft to break?

 

[What is asphalt]

After doing some research and looking at the sequence of events, this is what I think happened:
First the camshaft broke due to wrong torque en sequence (it snapped right at the camshaft bearing). This causes the p0340 vvt error, this sensor is at the camshaft and visible on the head in the back. This keeps the the valves closed causing such a high pressure in the cylinder that the cylinder cracked. Through the cylinder crack comes the coolant. If you look at the blackness on the piston, it is cleaner on a small part at the crack. I got no white smoke in the beginning so it didn't start with a coolant leak in the beginning.

 

[What is asphalt]

Short update after a few months. A specialist came looking at the engine and made a report for the insurence. He came to the conclusion that the engine damage was due to wrong assembly of the engine. Rebuilding the engine is not possible and there are no second hand vvti engines in EU. So after this information the plan was to buy a new (not rebuild or second hand) engine from toyota. The problem was that they aren't made anymore. So new plan was to build a brand new engine from a new short block and new engine parts. This week I got a call its running and driving again.

 

[excessive]

the 2UZ block (not sure about the VVTI heads) should be able to be sourced from many other Toyota models.

 

[What is asphalt]

the 2UZ block (not sure about the VVTI heads) should be able to be sourced from many other Toyota models.

Yes but the problem is that europe didn't get the 2uzfe cars. The tundra, sequioa, 4runer, gx, lx has never been delivered by toyota in Europe. The land cruiser v8 only till 2005 and there where not many sold, because everyone wanted a diesel.

 

[cruisin4bruisins]

This is actually a pretty cool accomplishment in my opinion, you should be proud, snapping a camshaft is definitely a bucket list item for me

 

[excessive]

i'd probably look into a diesel swap then, if those are more abundant. it would be a very big operation ( wiring loom, ECU, fuel system) all would need to be sourced from a donor vehicle. This is the type of swap were a complete dont vehicle would almost be a requirement. but if diesels are available, thats an option I would investigate

 

[What is asphalt]

i'd probably look into a diesel swap then, if those are more abundant. it would be a very big operation ( wiring loom, ECU, fuel system) all would need to be sourced from a donor vehicle. This is the type of swap were a complete dont vehicle would almost be a requirement. but if diesels are available, thats an option I would investigate

But diesels of this age are forbidden in the city and getting a dutch change on your vin is nearly impossible. And I just for rid of my diesel because of the diesel taxes etc.

 

[What is asphalt]

This is actually a pretty cool accomplishment in my opinion, you should be proud, snapping a camshaft is definitely a bucket list item for me

Till you get the repair bill

 

[open country]

Are you able to share how this worked out financially? A shop had it apart, then insurance determined the cause of the failure was incorrect reassembly. I'd assume that means you're off the hook for the repairs or new engine (whether via insurance or the shop)?

 

[What is asphalt]

Are you able to share how this worked out financially? A shop had it apart, then insurance determined the cause of the failure was incorrect reassembly. I'd assume that means you're off the hook for the repairs or new engine (whether via insurance or the shop)?

Well it was still warranty from the car dealer I bought it from so it will never be my cost. He is busy with his insurance to let the shop who did the repairs pay.