Whats so bad about the 3.slow?

[ToyotaGuy88]

I see alot of bad talk about my 3.0L and we have had the truck since new, shes got 260,000 miles on her. Replaced the timing belt twice, alternator once, water pump, and thats just about it. Yeah; its slower than hell, but I love her and it just keeps on truckin...

 

[bkg]

Just a lack of power, heavy thirst for fuel and propensity to eat HG's and burn the #6 valve, it's one of my favorite engines. Smooth as silk, loves to rev... I have two of them right now.

 

[KLF]

Besides the above, they are a total PITA to work on. IH8 adjusting the valves in them.

 

[4rnr]

all of the problems stated above are valid....but gossly over hyped in the community (mud, pirate, yotatech....)

I have had 3, I still have 2. Ive never had an issue with them. The 2 I have now; one is a dd in an 88 runner that has 180k+ and I drive it hard everyday all over chicagoland. the other is in a 92 runner (auto, sas, 37" PBR's, exo, 5300lbs) and it has been even more flawless!!! Plus I can set the cruise control at 70 mph on the highway and get between 12 and 16 mpg (depending on the tire im running)! Oh and the 88 is getting 19.5/23 mpg and will chirp the tires in 2nd

Though if one of these blow I will most likely put in a 3.4 or 4.0(v8).

EDIT: I noticed yours is an 88. I have heard that the early 3.0s did not have the head gasket issue

 

[Mike C]

I love my 3.0, other then trying to work in the engine compartment. 242k on it and still going strong, getting between 16-18mpg currently.

 

[ms018kmf]

I just like typing it better than 3VZE, don't really have a good reason why. I'm coming here from the Jeep world, it is more power than I'm used to. The crummy things I hear are HG failures and running hot. I have no grand plans to make this some kind of high performance motor. Since I've caught up with most of the PM I get great mileage with it.

 

[HOGWILD]

got a 93 3.0 and they had headgasket recalls but if ya had it done you should be GTG, i bought mine at 140K miles and it now has 236K and have done some scheduled maintenance but nothing outta the ordinary! fixin to do clutch and hydraulics since it's getting really loud since i ride the clutch pedal throw out bearing is toast but she deserves all this and i get 25% off on parts thanks to Cruiser DAN!!

 

[tntoyota]

EDIT: I noticed yours is an 88. I have heard that the early 3.0s did not have the head gasket issue

tru-dat!


88-?? 14mm head bolt (I think 88-89)

@ 90-95(?) 13mm head bolt


(IIRC 88 only, 89 and up had 13mm)




Old style, to convert you must use the spring tensioner and the fan thingy a tapped hole is missing in the early heads

PITA....for the dealer, if it was not already done



REcall




The 3.0h's TORQUE (180) peak is at 3,400 rpm, don't need a math matuse degree from Harvard to figure out...CARRRR!/RPM motor


Peak HP (150) 4,800 NOW, "lets slap on the biggest tar's we can find!"

mine flys! 4:56's, 235's MPG is , 4:11 rigs have the engine out of the curve

 

[4rnr]

tru-dat!


88-?? 14mm head bolt (I think 88-89)

@ 90 13mm head bolt


(IIRC 88 only, 89 and up had 13mm)




Old style, to convert you must use the spring tensioner and the fan thingy a tapped hole is missing in the early heads

I heard it had something to do with Asbestos. I guess the 3.0 was designed with a HG containing asbestos and in 1990 the US said no to asbestos HG's (hippies) and Toyota was forced to shoot from the hip and throw out a completely new HG that was never for that motor.....and you can fill in the rest.



Or im talking out of my ass

 

[tntoyota]

probably right seems I've heard that to,


been soooo long since I've evan had to work on it I cant remember my fax!



the head bolt diameter +/- and the material makes for instant REcall notices! LOL they should have put them in the glove boxes!

 

[94 4Runner]

3.0's can be reliable. The last cylinder on the driver's side of the engine gets a lot of heat because of the crappy exhaust collector so a lot of people burn valves on that cylinder. I have 170k miles on mine and am very happy with it although it is throwing an occasional CEL but the light won't stay on long enough for the code to be read.

 

[94 4Runner]

Oh yeah - I get 17 city 19 highway with slightly oversized tires so the crappy gas mileage thing is moot if you ask me.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Yes, head gasket redesign in 90ish... I had an early 90 (built mid 89) and it was not under the recall.

 

[tntoyota]

3.0's can be reliable. The last cylinder on the driver's side of the engine gets a lot of heat because of the ****py exhaust collector so a lot of people burn valves on that cylinder.

I know headers add power, but I wonder if they add it in the low end?........hmmm




150 hp @ 4,800

180 trq @ 3,400...............(see what I'm getting at)

 

[rblank]

You'll get some but not enough to make it worthwhile IMHO.

I mean cripes, my kids 12v Power Wheels have more power and torque than my wife's 94 4Runner.

 

[bkg]

my 88 has downey headers, 2.5" exhaust w/ magnaflow muffler and free flowing cat. Pulls HARD...

but it's still for sale.