2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE) engine: faults and reliability

• 2.7 VVT-i (2TR-FE, 2,693 cc, 2004-2014)

  2004–2014 · 151–163 hp · 2TR-FE, 2TR-FBE

  With caution

  The two sources that document the front crankshaft seal place it on the engines of the early years (2005-2007 or up to 2008): check that it does not leak oil at the front.^[3][4]

• 2.7 Dual VVT-i (2TR-FE, from 2015)

  since 2015 · 160–163 hp · 2TR-FE

  Buy

  The fault sources only document faults on the early 2TR-FE (the seal from 2005-2008, corrected with a revised seal) and record no faults specific to this version, although there is little data on it.^[3][4]

• 4.0 V6 VVT-i (1GR-FE, 3,956 cc, from 2002)

  since 2002 · 231–249 hp · 1GR-FE

  With caution

  This is the engine with the documented faults: head gasket on early units, water pump and coils (the latter, according to MotorReviewer, on those built before 2009). Check the cooling history.^[1][2][7]

• 4.0 V6 Dual VVT-i (1GR-FE, from 2009)

  since 2009 · 235–281 hp · 1GR-FE

  Buy

  MotorReviewer describes it as smoother and quieter; the head gasket is cited mainly on early units (up to around 2006) and the coil problems on those built before 2009; normal water pump wear remains.^[1][7]

Buy: No known serious faults, or they have already been corrected, in this version. With caution: Worth buying if something specific is verified: history, a replaced part or a completed campaign. Avoid: High risk of a serious fault that is hard to check for or prevent.

1. 1High severityFrequency: OccasionalCylinder head and block1GR-FE 4.0 V6 head gasket failureSeveral sources cite head gasket failures on the 4.0 V6, mainly on early units (up to around 2006 according to AutoHints) and almost always at cylinder 6. 8020 Automotive notes that many engines exceed 400,000 km with the original gasket.
2. 2Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCooling1GR-FE 4.0 V6 water pump leaksThe 4.0 V6 water pump is a wear part that all the fault sources consulted mention: it ends up dripping coolant. The mileages they give vary widely (from around 65,000-80,000 km to more than 240,000 km) and, if ignored, overheating can end in a head gasket failure.
3. 3Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalLubrication2.7 2TR-FE oil leaks from the front crankshaft sealThe early 2.7 (2TR-FE) can lose oil from the front crankshaft seal, the one that seals the crankshaft against the timing cover. Toyota revised the seal and, according to the sources, engines from 2008 onwards have it fitted in corrected form.
4. 4Low severityFrequency: OccasionalIgnition1GR-FE 4.0 V6 ignition coil failureThe 4.0 V6 ignition coils can fail before the rest of the engine and cause misfires, rough idle and loss of power. MotorReviewer links it to units built before 2009; the repair is cheap and is done with the set of six.Appears at around 160,000 km
5. 5Low severityFrequency: RareTiming1GR-FE 4.0 V6 cold start chain tensioner noiseWith high mileage, the timing chain tensioner on the 4.0 V6 can make a brief rattle on cold starts. Autopartswd considers it usually minor; if the noise does not go away within a few seconds, the tensioner should be checked.

Severity colours: low, medium, high, critical. How we rate them

Manufacturer

Toyota Motor Corporation

Family

Toyota TR / GR

Fuel

Petrol

Displacement

—

Cylinders

—

Fuel system

Naturally aspirated

Injection

Indirect injection

Timing

Chain

Power

151–281 hp

Production

since 2002

Makes

Toyota

Technical data^[5][6]

1. since 2002

   4.0 V6 VVT-i (1GR-FE, 3,956 cc, from 2002)

   3,956 cc V6 (94 x 95 mm), compression ratio 10.0:1, chain and VVT-i on the intake side only. ADAC gives 249 hp (183 kW) for the European Land Cruiser J120 and Wikipedia 231-239 hp for the seventh-generation Hilux.^[6][8][11]

2. 2004–2014

   2.7 VVT-i (2TR-FE, 2,693 cc, 2004-2014)

   Four-cylinder 2,693 cc (95 x 95 mm), compression ratio 9.6:1 and timing chain; between 151 and 163 hp depending on the application. Wikipedia lists a flex variant, the 2TR-FBE (petrol or ethanol), sold in Brazil.^[5][12]

3. since 2009

   4.0 V6 Dual VVT-i (1GR-FE, from 2009)

   Adds Dual VVT-i (intake and exhaust) and, according to MotorReviewer, a compression ratio of 10.4:1. Wikipedia gives 281 hp (207 kW) for the J150 Prado from June 2015 and 175 kW (235 hp) for the second-generation Fortuner.^{[6][7][12][14]}

4. since 2015

   2.7 Dual VVT-i (2TR-FE, from 2015)

   From January 2015 it adds Dual VVT-i and raises the compression ratio to 10.2:1; 160-163 hp at 5,200 rpm and 243-246 Nm according to Wikipedia.^[5]

• Timing chain kit

  • Buy part at Autodoc (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)

• Oil filter

  • Buy part at Autodoc (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)

• Air filter

  • Buy part at Autodoc (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)

• Spark plugs

  • Buy part at Autodoc (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)