2.7 reliability

From an engineers standpoint why is the 2.7L engine so reliable? I know it has an iron block. But what else makes it last so long? Low compression? Thanks

 

I'm not an engineer, I just fix stuff but I would say quality materials and proven design (the 2TR-FE used in 2nd and 3rd gen Tacoma's is very similar to the RZ engine family used in 1st gens just with variable valve timing added).

Toyota engines across the board seem to be well above average in terms of reliability with a few exceptions.

Many (not all) engines can be very reliable and last a long time with proper maintenance.
Poor maintenance kills more engines than design flaws do but there are some engines out there that won't last no matter how well they are taken care of.

 

Inline engines have fewer parts and stronger bottom ends than V blocks. An inline 4 has 5 crankshaft main bearings. A V8 also has 5 crankshaft main bearings. An inline engine has one connecting rod per crankshaft journal where a V block has two. Because of that, on an inline engine the connecting rod and main bearings are thicker. That is, if we're comparing similar displacement per cylinder engines like a 2.7L I4 vs. a 5.4 or 5.7L V8. Obviously something like a GM 8.1L V8 will be in a different league.

Until recently most I4 engines were naturally aspirated and designed to maximize fuel economy rather than power. So the strong engine block and low power output helps them last a long time and makes them more tolerant of abuse. In automotive, the V6 is more common now than the inline 6 only because it fits in smaller engine compartments. In the industrial world where there are fewer packaging constraints, such as construction equipment, commercial trucks and generators, inline engines are the norm.

Yes, I am a nerd.

 

Thanks that’s great info

 

Low power, low stress.

 

AMD's YouTube channel, The Car Care Nut, explains it since he draws on his experience as a Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician in Rust Belt Chicagoland, at a dealership and at home. Interesting playlists on Tacoma, Toyota systems, and quite a number of vehicle models.

 

My old first gen 4 banger had a little over 300k when I sold it. Never burned oil nor leaked oil. Only thing I replaced was the alternator and belts. Hope this helps!

 

The 2001 Tacoma 2.7 I sold two months ago had 270,000 miles. Didn’t use a drop of oil and ran great…..when it would start below 55 degrees. The hard start issue is a fairly common problem. We did EVERYTHING possible to correct the problem. Sometimes we thought we had it and then it wouldn’t start. Sold it once and the buyer took it to two shops, one a Toyota dealership. They did nothing but screw it up and cause oil leaks. We bought it back because a friend bought it. Started over and thought it was corrected several times. I sold it again, got the cash and immediately got in the shower only to hear the doorbell. There stood the young buyer wanting to know if I would give him back his money. Of course. The damn truck was at the end of the driveway and finally started. Sold it again to a buyer who has a friend who was a Toyota mechanic for thirty years and said he could fix anything. I had the truck in the garage attempting to keep it warm enough so it would start when he came to pick it up. He called me to see if it would start. I started it and left it running until he got here. That was on a Thursday. The high temperature for the next four days was 28 degrees. It wouldn’t start but he was waiting to take it to his friend. He called two weeks later at 4:40 am. I was ready to junk the truck but he had locked himself out at Walmart. The key issue was another problem that he had forgotten.

My ex-brother in law has a 2003 that has been in our family since new. It has the V6 and is a great truck at 200,000 miles. We go everywhere in that truck.