How to make my engine last 400,000 miles or more?

An added note might be to get a scanguage.

A scanguage will tell you the EXACT temperature of your motor.

The dash temperature gauge does not.

The block is made of cast iron

The heads made of aluminum

The heads being aluminum cool differently than cast iron.

Aluminum is less tolerant to heat and warping from heat and less
likely with cast iron at the same temperatures

So running the engine hot or over heating it you can pop a head gasket easily =2500.00

It’s imperative to NEVER let these engines run hot or overheat.

3.4 motors are pretty common to have head gasket issues because of this.

So make sure radiator and fan clutch are up to par

 

Harder question to answer is how to NOT make it last to 400k.

 

Honestly, just follow Toyota's recommended service intervals and enjoy your truck. Many on here overthink maintenance and actually cause more problems monkeying around with something and replacing parts that aren't broken and/or they spend all their time stressing about something that "might" happen. Some trucks run perfect to 500k and other ones can't make it more than 150k. It's luck of the draw sometimes...Just fix it if something breaks. The forums are like WebMD, you look up headache symptoms and two hours later you're convinced you have terminal brain cancer and will need surgery next week.

One of the guys I wheel with DD's 3.4 5 speed with 430k on it and has done nothing but oil changes and an alternator on the engine. At one point, the timing belt had 200k on it before he changed it. Sadly the rust will take the truck to the grave before the drivetrain does. Other guys get the motor a little warm once with 150k and pop a head gasket.

 

Since it’s a 3rz I’d say a good valve adjustment is recommended. That engine loves to burn exhaust valves. My previous Tacoma was a 98 3rz and I checked the valves every 20k,( I know overkill) but they needed to be adjusted.

Also, use factory coolant.

Depending on where you live Fluid film the crap out of that frame, undercarriage and everywhere else that rust loves to grow. I just re-did mine and I cleaned it before I reapplied new fluid film, the frame was a shiny black color underneath all that grime. Fluid film works great here in NJ.

 

do you have pictures of the grime?
i am not sure what that exactly looks like with time elapsed

 

So I've heard a couple different theories on valve adjustments-

• Don't do it unless they're making noise (someone)
• A valve adjustment, what's that? Do we do that? Let me call a mechanic (Dealer service writer)

It's on my list of things to do once life settles down a hair.

 

Just adding a tidbit though I'm really not in the high mileage club... Fixing issues quickly is key to keeping your vehicle lasting a long time. Oil leaks eat rubber, Water leaks only get worse, headgaskets buring coolant etc. Fix them quick before they turn into larger issues.

The 3.4L engine is about as easy on engine oil as they get. No timing chain, Low output per displacement, relatively low stressed, oil cooler etc. I wouldn't hesitate to do a 7,500 synthetic oil change interval myself.

 

I think coolant changes with Toyota Red to prevent coolant electrolysis is important for cast iron engines with aluminum heads.

 

Hmm. I’ve got 800ish k on my 06 corolla (estimate, odo is stuck at 299,999, has been since 2010) I’ve done the bare minimum.. 20k oil changes, no fluids... it just doesn’t die.


Your truck with a proper diet has no reason to not make it to 400k. Unless of course you beat on it. No car like that

 

I’ve ran Toyota pink SLLC in all the trucks with no I’ll effect. And it’s easier to get your hands on these days

 

They don’t make noise when they are too tight, they just burn. Then you end up with a very expensive repair.

 

That was the thing that made me suspicious. " Slappy valves are happy valves" is the phrase I've heard for other shim and buckets setups.

 

Last two 300K + normal maintenance no special anything whatever oil was on sale, Fram filters you all the stuff everyone says you shouldn't use. Zero issues both the old ones, just were too rusty to continue I pity the last guy that bought my 97 2.7 the engine ran like new but every nut and bolt on that engine alt you name it were so rusty it's doubtful they would ever come off and he wanted was the engine. Same story with the 2011 SR5 it's a youngster only 150K+.

Makes for retarded valve timing.

 

Yup....
Synthetic oils biggest advantage is it’s ability to extend breakdown period. Since OP is not taking advantage of it, a good quality standard non synthetic oil imo, would work just as well if 3000 is the oil change period. Before synthetics were the norm, there still a lot of high mileage cars

 

There is merit to changing your oil at 5K. It give you the chance to look the vehicle over you know things like greasing the U joints checking, tire pressure, looking at the belts, checking for leaks,washer fluid you know dumb things like that. The oil I use is whatever is on sale (no mystery oil just brand name stuff) at half the price as Syn. so it's a wash every other oil change. If Toyota calls for syn use it mine does not. Been driving for 57 years and worked on vehicles for 38 of those year never yet lost an engine unless it already was on it's way out when I got it.

 

my late '70s Toyota cars would seriously beg to differ!
could barely squeak 130k out of those 2 before had to take 'em to the pasture and put them out of their misery

 

Yes every thing has improved greatly since the 70's, smaller engines more HP better electronics better engine management and better oils not just syn oils, oil in general this is why oil life has been extended to 5k. Oil never wears out it just gets contaminated, water,gasoline,combustion by products. The newer additives in all oils are a big part of that. Just remember an engine has no feelings so using a syn. oil can not make it "feel better" if it does not call for it it doesn't need it.

 

has the oil filter technologies also been improved to handle more than 3k or 5k change intervals?

 

Wut?

 

325k on my 3.4. Oil changes and kept up on maintenance when needed. Nothing major though, valve cover gaskets, timing belt etc.