2GR-FKS failure at 150K, looking for input/some questions

I don’t disagree. I like data as well. Thankfully the fully dead engines are very rare. The valve problem is the one that concerns me the most, although I’d probably leave it alone if it kept chugging. The 400K mile guy is still driving on his with the valve code. I’m just concerned it would catch me up at emissions time if I had cleared the code recently and couldn’t pass as a result. The timing cover leak isn’t really bothersome but it can be a big nuisance. ACIS just seems like a PITA more than anything. I dunno, my expectations are a bit skewed because my previous trucks were Frontiers which while they had other issues, they basically had 0 actual engine issues, aside from timing chains being too sharp and wearing down the guides in early years. I also just overall feel like Toyota shorted us with the 3.5 when they could have given us the refreshed 1GR. Oh well. I’m not too concerned, but the potential problems are always on my mind just slightly.

 

Are you the original owner?

 

Since most truck owners will never haul or tow (in other words, actually use the truck as it’s supposed to be used) the engine is good enough. When you tow or haul is when the engine shows how poorly it fits the vehicle. It doesn’t need to be fast but it should have enough torque to move out of its own way and the 3.5 doesn’t.

 

I suspect people often overestimate the effect of oil change interval on the chance of premature catastrophic engine failure. It’s not like oil becomes like rock polishing grit if you don’t change it on time. The root cause of the failure is more likely something else, e.g. a manufacturing defect.

 

I think we have to take it in consideration that there are over 1.5M V6 3rd gens sold.

Now how many are tuned up after? lets say 10K? even then the number is just too small, compared to rest of the stock Tacomas. Lets say 1000 engines failed, the number is still so small, thats what my thought is. We can't see it because number of tuned engines is super small, just like the stock engine failure number.

 

I agree with the valve thing, it also concerns me. I get what you mean though. Hell, I'd prefer engines to still be externally belt-timed and be basic like they were in the late 80s/90s....

Yes.

I suppose it depends on what you're towing. I've only towed cars (3500lbs max) and once a full load of top soil which I have no idea how much it weighed but it was probably too much. With the cars though I never had an issue, even at highway speeds for 4 / 5 / 6 hour drives.. Compared to a proper towing truck sure. But a midsized truck is not designed nor should be expected to be great at towing close to capacity with a large amount of performance.

 

So confused. Are we talking about the same truck?


Zero issues towing my single axle 6x12x6.6' enclosed. I use it for my business so most of the time its hooked up to my truck.

I live in northern BC and tons of steep hills here.

I really don't understand how some of you guys are driving.

 

How does not liking the very mediocre power output of this engine make one a bad driver?

 

I like an engine that has torque at low rpm, something the 3.5 simply does not have. The driving experience is much more enjoyable when the vehicle responds quickly and easily to the pedal. It’s a personal preference, not saying the 3.5 is incapable of towing it just isn’t nearly as good as other engines.

 

Sorry, but if 278HP and 265TQ is mediocre for you then Im not sure what to say. Im lifted, on 33s, carrying 350-550# constant weight and have absolutely zero issues in power department towing, off-roading, city driving etc. Never once i felt "unsafe" or anything along those lines.

I keep saying the same thing, folks in NA are becoming way too spoiled nowdays. This truck does 0-60 in under 7 seconds... yeah mediocre...

 

It’s a difference in expectation. I’m telling you, if you came from a Frontier or anything else with more torque than horsepower, this truck would be very mediocre to you in the performance department. You came from a tall geared Mazda 5 speed. The Tacoma is better than that but it’s worse than everything else in its class today and within the last 9 years.

It’s sad if I am “spoiled” by having previously daily driven a Nissan Frontier…

Both iterations of the 1GR-FE were similar to the Nissan I came from and both would have been better suited than what we got. It’s not me or anyone else not knowing how to drive.

 

Dont know what to tell ya. My engine responds just fine. My RPM gauge barely crosses 2.5K RPMs, unless im climbing steep hills. I keep reading this lack of TQ issue and its been 6 years and I still dont understand what some on here are talking about hah. I love driving this thing, so much fun.

Of course it just isnt nearly as good as other engines, such as cummins or powerstroke that were designed to pull shit. This is a mid size truck we are talking about here, it does everything it was designed to do, its not going to have a low end of a big ass diesel motor. Folks need to adjust their expectations...

 

How do you like your Tuareg?

 

Man, if 0-60 in less then 7 secs is mediocre for you then its all good.

 

It’s not 0-60 in less than 7 seconds. Best I’ve seen mentioned is somewhere around 7.7-7.9, and it feels more like 8-9…

 

It’s pretty fun, honestly the best jack of all trades bike I’ve owned. Sporty but stable on road with good suspension and lightish weight for off-road. Not perfect at either but a good one bike to cover most needs.

 

Sorry, my bad. Under 8 secs.

Still though

 

Any mechanical issues?

 

Not yet, but only have around 5000 miles on it. I did have the headlight assembly replaced under warranty early on. When it was cold (sub 35-40°) it wouldn’t turn on and threw a canbus error. Aprilia told the dealer to just replace it and I haven’t had it happen again.

 

Awesome! Thanks for the responses