Expected Engine Life?

Submitted: Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 10:48

ThreadID: 86344 Views:9550 Replies:7 FollowUps:6

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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.

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Reply By: Gossy - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 11:20

Reply By: Member - Keith C (NSW) - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 11:49

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.

FollowupID: 727443

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.

FollowupID: 727473

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