Reliability of 2.7 Tacoma

You forgot to mechoned very thin cheap plastic! They can make plastic intake manifold and valve covers out of it. Thought for job security have the pipe self destruct in like 10 years!

 

Mine looks good but would feel better with a new stainless steel pipe.

 

You can do it, it's just time consuming about 3 hours. Have 18 to 24 inch extension bar for ratchet, magnet for dropped nut/bolts, good light, some way to raise up the vehicle (jack), saran wrap so the nut/bolts stay in your socket when reassembling, different color tie wraps for marking pipes and wires. Also suggest replacing intake manifold gasket and thermostat! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6oX2Vwbr10&t=22s

 

Thanks for the advice and tips, I called a dealership for a quote and they said about $420. If this is within my ability I would rather take a Saturday and DIY it, with the money I saved going to buy me tools instead of into the pockets of the dealership. I saw that video and couldn't believe he was quoted $2,300 and it's a good example of why to always get a second quote on the repair.

 

Here is a good video on the bypass coolant pipe replacement that goes into more detail.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etARn10c19Q

 

Don't watch him! That guy goes to the extreme of replacing the radiator and other unnecessary parts!

 

I agree about the radiator and skipped it up until they start removing the intake manifold. I always watch as many different videos and gather as much information as I can before a DIY project. You mentioned jacking it up, would that be necessary and does it give better access to the lower manifold bolts doing it?

 

The two lower manifold bolts you go through the driver side fender. You can see them with some light if you go out and look in the fender well! That's where you'll need the long extension bar to be able to get to reach them. When you put it back use some saran wrap on the bolt/nuts to hold them in your socket. I have automatic transmission and needed to unbolt the pipe in two places, so I had to jack it up. THE HARDEST PART IS A RUBBER PIPE BETWEEN THE FIREWALL AND INTAKE MANIFOLD YOU CAN'T SEE IT! To connect it back I had to crawl up on the engine and feel it, to push it back in place. Other thing I did was sprayed a lube like a silicone spray ( love the stuff, good for rubber and threads) in the threaded holes to clean them of trash and make it a little easier to reassemble back.

 

So do you guys recommend to pressure test the coolant test (rental a device from local autoshop) prior to replacing the bypass valve?

 

It's one of those things, if you're going to want to do it, just do it rather than worrying about it, or if you don't mind doing when / if it pops, just wait do it then. Pressure testing won't tell you if it's about to pop in a month.

No major issues have come up with the 2TR. Higher mileage 3rz's had top end issues with burnt exhaust valves from lack of maintaining valve tolerances. No such issues that I've heard about with the 2TR.

 

I have coolant loss in the reservoir tank after 1k mile (lose about half). No visible sign of leak (haven't been able to crawl down to see if the bypass pipe is leaked). Already changed the radiator cap.

So it is recommended I do the coolant pressure test before wasting my time with the bypass valve? Can I see the leaked of the bypass pipe if I crawled down?

 

So it's not dripping any coolant? My 05 was leaking from around the powder steering pump. Found out the water bypass plastic pipe had cracked at the flange. Had to remove the intake manifold to get to it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PugH0wLf5U

 

Looking down the engine bay, I don't see any pinkish/white stuff. No sign of dripping.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDuGeQnMOzk

 

Sorry, uniformed post on my part

I'd verify the source of the leak with the pressure test (hopefully it has definitive results). Then just be proactive and replace the tube if you want even if it's not the culprit since you'll have the system drained anyway once you find the leak and go to fix it.

 

The 2TR-FE has hydraulic lifters.