Expected Engine Life?
Submitted: Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 10:48
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nickoff
I’m seeking opinions on the longevity of petrol engines, Toyota Hilux RN85R series, in particular.
I recently had some work done on my 1994 dual cab 2 x4 Hilux, and the workshop manager commented that he doesn’t see many of them with that many kilometres on it. (306,000 Kms)
I’m seeking opinions now on how much longer it will keep going. I have owned the vehicle since 1997, purchased 2nd hand with 77,000 on the clock. I have it converted to dual fuel at 98,000 kms, and since them it has run most of its life on LPG. (About an 85%/15% split)
General family hack, and holiday car, suburban use, and long holiday trips, with camper and then a caravan behind. (overweight at that)
Have just recently driven
Darwin- Yuenemdu-
Darwin-
Alice Springs, averaging about 95 Kph, up to 9 hours straight, and returning 9.4 L/100 Km on ULP and 13.5 L/100 Km on LPG.
Motor is still as Factory, have only had tappets readjusted at about 175,000 Km. Basic servicing and oil/filter changes at 10,000 Km intervals, plus the usual replacement of a starter motor, alternator, voltage regulator and air conditioner compressor, very little else has been done to it.
How much longer can I expect this motor to keep going? I know that Toyota make a good product, but what is the life expectancy of these motors. This workshops managers comments now have me a little worried.
Reply By: Gossy - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 11:20
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 11:20
I'd agree that you won't get alot more out of it. I guess what he is trying to say is eventually it will reach a point where you look at repair costs versus cost of the car. Being a 94 it won't be worth much so it wouldn't be worth spending big bucks on the engine which isn't too far away with that mileage on it.
AnswerID:
454547
Follow Up By: TerraFirma - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 11:45
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 11:45
Well said Gossy spot on. Trick is not to fall in love with it, if you plan on selling it one day do it sooner rather than later, otherwise keep it and keep up the maintenance and see if you can break some records.! Toyota might use you for a TV commercial...? Oh what a feeling...!
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member - Keith C (NSW) - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 11:49
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 11:49
We have a 1990 hilux ute with 480,000k on it. We put a reco motor in at 320,000, the auto box has never given any trouble at all, replaced the diff once,it regularly carries 1t, my son is a plasterer so it is a work ute. He gave it a respray 2 years ago and it looks like new, much,much,cheaper than a new ute to do the same job. What I am saying is why change? If the body and running gear are good, get a recoed motor when she needs it,You will know when its time. Work shops have a vested interest most times. Regards Keith
AnswerID:
454552
Follow Up By: nickoff - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 12:45
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 12:45
Reason I am getting worried was that if I was driving it, I wouldn't worry about it, as I can fix most issues myself, but I have handed the old girl over to my partner, to use to get around Central Australia.
She is not mechanically inclined at all, (Can change her own tyres though) And I might now have to have her take it to a workshop on a regular basis to keep an eye on it.
its probably better that she has an "old car" that goes, and can afford to walk away from if it gets pinched/trashed/etc on one of the communities, rather than a newer vehicle that the walk away cost would be considerable.
The old ute is probably better able to handle the rough life than something newer and "softer" as
well. She all ready has a number of proudly worn "battle scars"
I think I am convincing myself that I have done the right thing.
FollowupID:
727409
Reply By: Madfisher - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 13:54
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 13:54
Mate you do not say what motor it is. But my guess it is a 22r 2.4l. Timing chain is first thing to go usually at about 300000ks. I was on an Americam web site and a bloke with a 22r was bebating whether it was worth putting a 2nd chain on or dump the motor. This motor had covered 4000000
MILES. If you do long runs, reguraly service it and keep filters clean they just seem to keep going. I have a mechanic mate and he was saying that he rarely sees worn out motors anymore. Most motors are relaced because the oners run them out of oil /water or failed to change the coolant every couple of years and they start doing heads. To ease your concerns get a Compression
test done and a pressure
test. This will tell you exactly the condition of your motor. Do not for get Taxis do over a million ks on one motor.
Cheers Pete
AnswerID:
454562
Follow Up By: nickoff - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 15:35
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 15:35
madfisher,
your comments make me feel better. Yes, it is a 22R motor, 2.4 litre.
She got a oil change every 10,000 weather she needed it or not, Coolant, Brake and clutch fluid, gearbox and diff every 3 years, etc.
Running LPG de-stressed it by reduced the Kw output by about 15% and it runs sweeter on LPG that ULP, So I now expect to see a lot more life out of the old girl yet. Did my first clutch replacement at 250,000 Kms, and was told it still has quite a few Kms left in it at the time. Hope my partner doesnt upset her too much.
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Follow Up By: Road Warrior - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 17:54
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 17:54
Running on LPG for all that time also means that your engine's oil galleries have not been contaminated by hydrocarbons that are left behind from burning petrol. Less oil contamination means less wear and greater engine life - there's a reason the cabbie's engines go for 800 and 900 thousand kilometers.
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Follow Up By: Madfisher - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 18:11
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 18:11
The old 22r is one of the longest lived motors out their. Huge bearings etc for power output. Only downside is having to remove head to do the chain. Only reason I sold my 22r 4runner 2was I wanted more power for towing.
But when you hear the chain rattling when cold do it as it will eventually break, but its gives you heaps of warning first. First it will rattle when cold then all the time.
Mate had 720000ks on a camry on gas so yours should go similar.
He then gave it to his daughter who is most likly still driving it.'
Cheers Pete
FollowupID:
727477
Reply By: chris a - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 20:11
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 20:11
mate my son is a toyota teck he told me back in 1990
The little 2.4 was bullet proof and you can believe me it is
JUST KEEP THE
SERVICES UP TO IT
350000'00 IS NOT UNCOMMON
AnswerID:
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Reply By: stoney123 - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 20:17
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 20:17
i have a toyota cressida with 360K kms, i have added new shocks, brakes etc and hope to get a couple of years more
AnswerID:
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Reply By: oldpop - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 20:17
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 20:17
Nickoff
Engines are like axes if you keep a good supply of handles and heads they
last forever
LOL
OLdpop
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: nickoff - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 08:27
Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 08:27
Oldpop,
Thanks for that. Time I invested in an axe and handle. Woops, already did that, and put it behind the
seat with a shovel.
Thank you all for relieving me of my worries. My partner was car less is Central Australia and I had the ute parked up doing nothing. Killed two with one, getting it out of the carport, and giving her some wheels.
FollowupID:
727533
Reply By: downtools - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 08:40
Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 08:40
G'day nickoff,
I have a Toyota Hiace with the 2.4 petrol donk.
355,000 klms and still sounds great.
It's a work van, carries at least half a ton all the time.
My mates say I should get a new truck but why when this one is still reliable, dosen't use oil etc?
I bought it new in 1990 and will prob keep it till it drops or I do!
see ya......
AnswerID:
454661