Toyota 2UZ-FE Engine Specs, Problems And Reliability

Toyota 2UZ-FE is a 4.7 L V8 motor, constructed specifically for trucks and SUVs. Due to that, this motor gained great capacity, low-rev, and astonishing torque.

While 1UZ-FE and 3UZ-FE keep aluminum cylinder blocks, 2UZ gained cast iron, which is stronger and less expensive. But its main disadvantage is that it can be deformed due to engine mass. In other details, this motor has identical styling and size but for enlarged bore and stroke. Besides, it features a 90-degree angle, 21 mm cylinder bank displacement and 105.5 mm bore pitch. Its other characteristics include a steel crankshaft with 8 counterbalances and 5 main bearings, iron-shod, and sintered rods, and pistons of aluminum alloy with tin-plated skirts to decrease friction.

Every aluminum head, located on the cylinder bank, consists of intake and exhaust camshafts with 4 valves per cylinder. Camshaft rotation is provided by a timing belt, controlling intake camshafts, and gears on the intake camshaft, driving exhaust ones. Valve gear construction is akin to the one of 1UZ. Exhaust valves with 29 mm diameter and intake valves with a diameter of 34.5 mm are placed on adverse sides at a 21.55-degree angle. The motor keeps steel valve lifters and which means that valve clearances should be regulated from time to time.

Primary modifications of 2UZ-FE featured a plain aluminum intake manifold along with a long intake manifold port. It utilized heat-barrier sealing between two metal gaskets located betwixt intake manifold and every cylinder head. At the start of its manufacture, the motor featured a traditional throttle body. But in 2002, the electronic throttle body system, known as Toyota’s ETCS-I system, replaced it. Since its launch, 2UZ gained sequential multiport fuel injection (called SFI), containing 8 4-hole type fuel injectors, a mass airflow meter, and 2 air-fuel sensors. The motor was provided with Direct Ignition System with separate ignition coils for all 8 cylinders and iridium spark plugs. Besides, an Electronic Spark Advance system and 2 knock sensors were added to control and regulate ignition timing as well as prevent the engine from tapping.

Toyota 2UZ-FE Specs

Toyota 2UZ-FE Engine Oil Capacity

The Toyota 2UZ-FE engine requires 7.2 quarts of 5W-30 oil with a filter replacement.

2UZ-FE VVT-i Engine Specs

All 2UZ-FE motors, released after 2007, featured VVT-I, Variable Valve Timing with intelligence. It manages throttle position, coolant temperature, air volume and some other motor parameters. Moreover, it’s able to regulate intake camshaft timing and enhance the engine’s power at low, mid, and high revs. The other notable characteristic is a plastic intake manifold with variable intake port length.  The range is managed by Acoustic Control Induction System. The system keeps two types of intake port length: long for low speed and short for high speed.

2UZ-FE VVT-I motor contains light pistons and oil jets in cylinder block for their cooling. The compression index equals to 10 and that allows consuming fuel more rational. By 2010, this version absolutely replaced the initial 2UZ. Starting from 2008, this 4.7L motor was little by little substituted by 5.7L 3UR-FE and 4.6L 1 UR-FE.

What Cars Have A 2UZ-FE?

• 2002–2004 Lexus GX 470
• 1998–2005 Lexus LX 470
• 1998–2005 Toyota Land Cruiser
• 2002–2004 Toyota 4Runner
• 1999–2004 Toyota Tundra
• 2000–2004 Toyota Sequoia
  Toyota Racing Development offered a bolt-on supercharger kit for the 2000–2003 Tundra/Sequoia and the 1998-2003 LX 470.

Another 2UZ-FE variation adds VVT-i and electronic throttle control.

• 2004–2009 Lexus GX 470
• 2005–2007 Lexus LX 470
• 2005–2009 Toyota 4Runner
• 2005–2011 Toyota Land Cruiser
• 2004–2009 Toyota Tundra
• 2004–2009 Toyota Sequoia

2UZ-FE Engine Problems and reliability

2UZ-FE is known for its great durability and reliability. Having no defects in its construction, this engine produces almost no sound and doesn’t knock. Its timing belt must be changed after every 90,000 miles run. Though it’s not very cheap, its change costs less than repair of consequences of its breakage when pistons hit the valves. The good news is that cast iron block may serve for a long period and can be easily renovated.

Usually, 2UZ-FE runs for at least 300,000 miles with no trouble. To increase its longevity, it’s advisable to maintain it regularly and use only high-quality engine oil. Moreover, its lifespan depends on its condition and your driving style.