Overview
The story
Toyota added the 3.0L V6 to the 4Runner for 1988, two years after the 4Runner went on sale. Hagerty says it made 145 hp at first and five more from 1989. Hagerty
A published reference lists it in the 4Runner, the Pickup and the Hilux from 1988 to 1995, and in the T100 from 1992 to 1994. Hagerty writes that the V6 was more powerful than the four but not as reliable. Hagerty, a published reference
Specs
Versions
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Fuel injected 3VZ-E Hagerty, a published reference
145 to 150 hp · 1987–1995
In 1st gen Toyota 4Runner, 1988–1989; 2nd gen Toyota 4Runner, 1990–1995; 5th gen Toyota Truck, 1988; 6th gen Toyota Truck, 1989–1995
Figures
- Displacement: 3.0L (2,958 cc) A published reference
- Bore × stroke: 87.5 × 82 mm A published reference
- Block and head: Cast-iron block, aluminum heads A published reference
- Valvetrain: Single overhead cam per bank, twelve valves, driven by a belt MOTOR, a published reference
- Interference: No. MOTOR calls it freewheeling, so a broken belt does no damage MOTOR
Watch out
Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.
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Head gasket failure Every version
Check: Look for milky oil under the filler cap and for white exhaust smoke, and ask whether the head gaskets were replaced and by whom.
Toyota ran a head gasket special service campaign, V06, for Pickups, 4Runners and T100s with this engine built from January 1990 to October 1994. Toyota said the failure was mostly limited to that production period, and the campaign ended on 24 September 2018. Hagerty, owners' reports (unofficial)
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Twisted crank key Every version
One source so far
Check: Ask whether the crank key and the front seal were checked at the last timing belt job.
MOTOR reports 3.0 engines with a twisted crank key and a crank sprocket turned several degrees out of place, and says to check for a damaged key and a seeping front seal. MOTOR
Owning
Maintenance
Timing belt and its tensioner Every version
Replace every 60,000 miles MOTOR
Ask the seller: Ask for records showing the timing belt was changed, and when.
If it was skipped: MOTOR says Toyota specialists recommend a new belt at 60,000 miles, and that the engine is freewheeling, so a broken belt won't damage anything. It says to treat the tensioner like the water pump on a high-mileage belt job, and replace it if it leaks.
What owners and buyers say
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Avoid
Less reliable than the four-cylinder Every version
Less sought after
Hagerty says the V6 wasn't as reliable as the four-cylinder and that many developed head gasket trouble. Its piece on the 1989 4Runner says the four-cylinder trucks proved more reliable than the V6s. Hagerty