Toyota RZ (2RZ / 3RZ)
2.7 L · inline-4 · naturally aspirated · petrol · 1994–2004
Also known as: 3rz-fe, 2rz-fe, 3rz, 2rz, rz engine, 2.7 tacoma, hilux 2.7, 3rz-f
Toyota's truck four — 2.4 as the 2RZ-FE and 2.7 as the 3RZ-FE — in the Tacoma, 4Runner, T100 and Hilux. An engine with a reputation for outlasting the vehicle around it, which changes what a fault means: a running RZ is very rarely worn out.
Its one era-specific problem is the head gasket on earlier 3RZ engines, addressed by a revised gasket and a service campaign in some markets. The symptom is the ordinary one — coolant loss, overheating, and eventually combustion gases in the cooling system — and on a truck this old the question is whether it has already been done rather than whether it will happen.
The exhaust manifold cracks, presenting as a tick that is loudest cold and fades as the metal expands, and is very often diagnosed as a valvetrain noise.
Beyond those it is chain-driven and unstressed. The timing chain guides wear at very high mileage, and the crankcase ventilation blocks and pushes oil past the seals — the same two items that arrive on every engine of this age.
Cars fitted with this engine
4 generations, across 1 make. From the authored catalogue — an absent car means the catalogue has not reached it, not that the engine was never fitted.
Information, not instruction
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