2009 Tacoma V6 interference engine?

IS THE 1GR IN MY TRUCK AN INTERFERENCE OR NONINTERFERNCE ENGINE? I know it has timing chain. I have 132,500ish on it now.

Thanks,
Brian

 

The 4.0L (1GR-FE) is an interference engine but there's no known issues with timing chains breaking and very little issues with them stretching as long as the engine oil is maintained properly, generally you will start to get Cam/Crank correlation codes and/or rattle on startup when they get stretched.
They should go well over 200k miles before they need to be changed.

 

I’ve never checked but now you peak my curiosity, do the 4.0 use a hydraulic tensioner? I know certain GM engines such as ones used in cobalts had a known issue with their tensioner so even though the oil is good you can still ruin an engine. I replaced my KLX250 tensioner with a manual tensioner because I was not confident in the stock ones reliability.

 

Yes they do (as far as I know all modern timing chain engines use hydraulic tensioners), they are spring loaded and ratchet out as the chains wear, the spring keeps some tension on the chains when there's no oil pressure but oil pressure keeps the chains tight when the engine is running.

Ford and GM seem to have alot of issues with timing chain stretch, phaser, guide, and/or tensioner failure in some of their engines (Ford uses plastic body tensioners in some if their engines).

 

the older Toyotas had plastic guides too like the 22re. I think they figured out the few bucks in savings wasn’t worth the later complaints and recalls. I still say a manual tensioner is best but then again that relies on the operator to know and understand what a timing chain is, how to diagnose, and how to apply maintenance practices. So I can understand a vehicle manufacturer wants to go to an auto tensioner because most folks are smart enough not to drink the gas that fills their tanks.

 

Manual tensioner you say? Do show the info on it please!

 

i don’t think anyone makes one for the Tacoma, but it wouldn’t be too hard id think. Kreiger makes them for all kinds of bike models. The locked in design gives confidence and eliminates vulnerabilities of auto tensioners relying upon spring and oil pressure. Of course that responsibility now relies upon the vehicle owner. I bet they’d make one for the taco if given enough interest, but I’ve also never heard of any known issues of the timing chain tensioner in Toyotas…note that I could also be ignorant to the issues on Toyotas.

http://www.clems-garage.com/CCT/

 

No you're not wrong. The tensioner and the chain on these trucks are stout. I've literally never heard of them having issues, but it's good to have options!

 

Ford used a plastic body tensioner on many of the 5.4L 3V engines, they were notorious for blowing out the oil passage and allowing chain slack which would then break the plastic guides.
I can't say I've ever seen or heard of a manually adjusted timing chain tensioner, ATV engines use spring loaded mechanical ones but I thought all automobile chain tensioners were hydraulically assisted.
Most of the old cam in block engines didn't have a tensioner or guides but the chain did have to be replaced when it stretched.

 

I am so glad I started such a plethora of information. Thanks guys, I can really depend on this site.

Anyone know of anyone selling a first gen 4runner. Condition, not an issue