I4 vs V6 which is tougher/more dependable

Also, it has EVERYTHING to do with durability if you intend to tow!

 

Dude get the I4! enough said!

 

yup trues there too , .....like i learned about ..20 years ago.

I'm curious though, why are you answering questions to me that i never asked? Tell us something we dont know. Tell us how they both run on gasloine!!

 

The OP stated in the original post; " Which engine is more durable" , not a "my v6 is superior to your 4 cyl debate. Everyone has different needs/wants and budgets in their tacoma.

 

well put. Both good, both a differnet twist.

 

Both engines are very ruggedly designed, but the V-6's open deck design provides better cylinder cooling, a design feature for long life (with a downside: it can't be bored out at rebuild). A V6's block is also more compact and stiffer so it supports the crank better: better supported crank, less flexing, less wear. The V6's greater power means it's not as highly stressed in daily operations.

If the 2.7 has balance shafts (surely it does...doesn't it?) then it has that entire mechanical system with it's bearings, chains, sprockets, idlers, etc. to fail and that contributes to it's MTBF numbers.

But either engines, in use, will fail due to a manufacturing defect or inadequate maintenance way before any inherent design defect does them in.

 

Actually chains are better than belts, thats why the v-6 went from timing belt to chain...like the I-4.
Also inline engine have a proven durability record,lack of flex,doesnt need to be more compact, one reason they wont go away.
Mechanical parts, are on both , being an engine they both are mechanical. Both have serpentine belts for example, pullies ,etc . While the I-4 is built to be more economical, and the v-6 more performance, im not convinced either have a durability advantage.
The inline 4 has plenty of oiling capacity to lube the heat and bearing areas well, havent heard of the extra oiling on the v-6, but dont think its an issue either.
Since the v-6 is perfomance oriented , it has a 30k spark plug change, the I-4 has 100k...performance vs economy still though.

For all the differences , nothing can prove one over the other , except, at 125k 175k etc miles, which engine has a higher percentage on the road still. My opinion , if the engine /truck makes it to 200,000 there is nothing to complain about, you got your moneys worth. Around here the 4 cylinder gen1 tacoma and pre tacoma truck are all over, 4 of them at work, all slightly competing to 250k, all 4 over 170k. One gen 1 v6 and he is at 145k and no problem except fohis timing belt complaint. As far as i know that only needed changed every 60k miles, not sure.

 

I'm under the impression that proper maintenance is a bigger determination of engine life over which engine was built to last longer. I'll bet the electrical system, the transmission or the frame wears out before these engines go.

Considering I tow alot, and tow heavier stuff, my money is on my tranny. I'll probably only get 300k out of this piece of junk truck....

 

I take it you dont like your Tacoma???

 

The hilux actually runs on a diesel.....

 

yup, and its not a tacoma, so not part of the topic of 2.7 and 4.0

 

congrats to a fellow Marylander - I know you must have done regular maintenance to get to that point - good job!

 

i think both are really durable. if you need the extra towing power get the v6 if you dont get the i4.

 

That's awesome - congrats. Would love to see some pics. . .

 

I love my truck. I was joking

 

Most in-line engines through the years have proven reliability and durability over "V" engines.

My guess is design simplicity, balance, vibrations, and internal loads play into it.

Want to see the ultimate example of what happens to a V engine, look at a Harley.

I have owned a 06 taco 4cyl, and now a new v6 trd. While it may not be true in reality, I feel like the 4cyl is a more solid engine. Even over 100,000 miles, it just ran so solid and clean... Hell even at 5000 between oil changes the oil almost looked new.

 

I voted four banger even though I own a V6. In my opinion it all depends on the trim of the truck. I would expect a regular cab 4 banger to last the longest, followed by access cab V6, then access cab 4cyl, then double cab V6. I think it all depends on the weight of the vehicle and the load its putting on the motor.

 

That's cubic centimeters in our case

and 4cy all the way, but even the v6's are getting good nowadays

 

True of an I-6 vs a V6, but inline 4's have vibration problems so bad that I-4's around 2L and larger use additional moving parts (balance shafts) to keep from vibrating to pieces. The gen 2's 2.7l I4 is a beast!

I-6's, in contrast, are naturally balanced all around... silky smooth and torquey. With a good cross-flow head design they are the durability champion of the automotive world. But not in the question here. The discussion here is which of the Tacoma's engine's inherent flaws are best mitigated.

Tacoyota: the balance shafts are those additional mechanical bits I was referring to which a V6 doesn't have. MTBF is calculated (simply put) by adding up the mechanical bits and pieces.

But as I said, I'm positive Toyota does a great job of offsetting each engine's inherent weaknesses with solid design. Either engine will fail only due to a manufacturing defect or lack of maintenance way before design failure.

 

This is absolutely true, you always see the 4Ls retorquing stuff between rounds at major drag races because the line motors actually vibrate things loose. V Motors from an engineering standpoint should always be a little more reliable than line motors just because the vibrations balance eachother out. But it doesn't make that big of a difference in most automotive applications, they have overcome most issues with balance shafts and other NVH type crap.