Toyota 1TR-FE

Toyota's 2.0 petrol four — in the Hilux, Innova and HiAce.

It is a commercial engine in commercial vehicles, and that shapes the fault list: these are loaded, worked, and run far past any interval anybody wrote down.

It is chain-driven with variable timing on the intake, and its known item is the timing chain tensioner — a rattle for a second or two on a cold start, worsening over months. On an engine that earns its living, it is worth acting on early.

Carbon on the throttle body and the intake accounts for most running complaints, particularly on vehicles used for short urban legs, and responds to cleaning rather than to parts. The 2.7 2TR-FE is the same family one size up and has its own page here; its results apply directly.