Tundra V-6 engine questions

rrpriest · #1 (**permalink**) 05-27-2002, 04:39 PM

Is the engine an intereference design, ie, if the timing belt breaks, valves and pistons can make contact?

Is the water pump timing belt or accessory belt driven (IMHO a major design flaw, especially in an interference design)?

Buzzard · #2 (**permalink**) 05-27-2002, 07:05 PM

I have asked the same question. I have read that the older V6 engines were non-interference engines. I have never gotten an answer on the V6 in the Tundra. I think the V8 is an interference engine.
If I understand your question the belt that drives the water pump is not the same as the timing belt. ----Buzzard

rrpriest · #3 (**permalink**) 05-27-2002, 08:28 PM

What I meant to say was that it is better to have the water pump driven by a belt other than the timing belt. That way, a water pump seizure will not strip the timing belt that would result in damage to an interference-design engine.

Hopefully, the Tundra V-6 has a non-timing belt driven water pump.

nhparrot · #4 (**permalink**) 05-27-2002, 08:52 PM

From the engine diagrams I have seen, I believe the water pump is driven by the timing belt on the V6. I know to service the water pump requires removing the timing belt

Buzzard · #5 (**permalink**) 05-27-2002, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nhparrot
From the engine diagrams I have seen, I believe the water pump is driven by the timing belt on the V6. I know to service the water pump requires removing the timing belt

Shucks---Buzz

5 Speed · #6 (**permalink**) 05-27-2002, 11:06 PM

Well I just looked at my V-6 engine and here is what I see, kinda strange when I think about it. The engine has a large three belt groved pully coming off the lower crank that turns three belts. (Not timing belts) One belt turns the water pump and the alt, there is another belt that turns the power steering and the water pump, and there is a third belt that turns the AC. It is kinds strange seeing both the power steering and the alt belts on the water pump too. Now I believe you might have to remove the belts to get at the timing belt and maybe remove the water pump to get at the timing belts but it doesn't make any sense to have the water pump driven by the timing belt. I guess you could say that since the lower crank drives the timing belt it indirectly drives the water pump but not with a toothed belt. Did that make sense? I don't believe that a water pump seizure would directly strip the belt, but it would make for some interesting noises.

Buzzard · #7 (**permalink**) 05-27-2002, 11:38 PM

Just read on another web site that a 3.4L V6 is a NON interference engine. My book says the V6 in my 2001 is a 5vz-fe. AllData says the 3.4L and the 5vz-fe are the same engine. Can anybody verify this? The web site I looked at said if the engine had an asterisk next to it that it was an interference engine. The 3.4L did not have one.----Buzzard

nhparrot · #8 (**permalink**) 05-28-2002, 06:16 AM

Buzz,
The V6 in the Tundra is a 5VZ-FE. Check you VIN - the 5th digit should be a "N" indicating 5VZ-FE engine family.

Buzzard · #9 (**permalink**) 05-28-2002, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by nhparrot
Buzz,
The V6 in the Tundra is a 5VZ-FE. Check you VIN - the 5th digit should be a "N" indicating 5VZ-FE engine family.

Do you know if my info is correct? Is it an interference or non interference engine?---Buzz

toyoman_4ever · #10 (**permalink**) 05-30-2002, 09:21 PM

The V-6 motors we have are the same as the motors in the Tacoma's. I've seen an idler pulley that rides with the timing belt seize and snapped the t-belt off. The motor was back up and running after the pulley and belt were replaced. So, I don't think the motor is interference fit.

On the water pump issue. I've seen some water pumps on our V-6's seep by the gasket. The water pump does ride with the t-belt. The housing you see that's connected to the manual cooling fan is just a cover for the timing belt. It's not actually the water pump. The water pump is behind the cover. So, go and check if you see seepage (you should see some redish-pink stains, driver's side lower timing belt cover).

P.S. Thank god they fixed the head gasket issue with these motors.

Buzzard · #11 (**permalink**) 05-30-2002, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by toyoman_4ever
The V-6 motors we have are the same as the motors in the Tacoma's. I've seen an idler pulley that rides with the timing belt seize and snapped the t-belt off. The motor was back up and running after the pulley and belt were replaced. So, I don't think the motor is interference fit.

On the water pump issue. I've seen some water pumps on our V-6's seep by the gasket. The water pump does ride with the t-belt. The housing you see that's connected to the manual cooling fan is just a cover for the timing belt. It's not actually the water pump. The water pump is behind the cover. So, go and check if you see seepage (you should see some redish-pink stains, driver's side lower timing belt cover).

P.S. Thank god they fixed the head gasket issue with these motors.

I have a 2001 V6 and the head gaskets had to be changed at about 8000 miles

---Buzz

toyoman_4ever · #12 (**permalink**) 06-01-2002, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Buzzard

I have a 2001 V6 and the head gaskets had to be changed at about 8000 miles ---Buzz

You're kidding me right?
You figured Toyota would fix the problem from past head gasket problems, but what am I saying? I'm not the engineer.

Buzzard · #13 (**permalink**) 06-01-2002, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by toyoman_4ever

You're kidding me right?
You figured Toyota would fix the problem from past head gasket problems, but what am I saying? I'm not the engineer.

Not kidding . They fixed it along with replacing all the main bearings. Had a knock in the motor from day 1. they fixed the bearings at less than 2600 miles--- Buzz

PXLpainter · #14 (**permalink**) 10-21-2003, 06:50 AM

There's some good info in this thread - putting it in the V6 links.

Jeff

soulman31 · #15 (**permalink**) 01-27-2004, 07:28 PM

I have a 2000 with the V6. I had a water pump replaced at 36K due to the gasket leaking. Very common because the bead of gasket sealer is layed on using a computerized process which dishes out no more than what is needed. It was all done no charge no questions. At 60K, I made an appointment for the timing belt. When I got there, they told me it was not reccomended for change until 90K. I said cool, and asked him if the motor was interference or non-interference. He said it is a NON. I said great, see you when it breaks.
I now have 106K and it runs like a champ although the cold weather reeks havoc on the gas mileage. Getting 15-16, usually 18-19.5.