Toyota is the end-all, be-all in relation to reliability. Few manufacturers come shut, however none can match it. Even with such a popularity, it is unattainable to be excellent. This Toyota engine gave up after 73,000 miles, exhibiting that even the perfect can fail generally.
This naturally aspirated 2ZR-FXE inline-four got here out of a 2016 Toyota Prius, in response to the I Do Automobiles YouTube channel. Seeing as how a overwhelming majority of vehicles with this engine are nonetheless on the highway, it’s kind of uncommon, particularly with such low mileage.
There is no instant injury on the surface of the engine, however issues develop into clear as soon as the valve cowl is eliminated. There is a brown, milky liquid scattered about, signifying coolant and oil has combined. That is dangerous information.
Eric, the channel’s host, makes his option to the pinnacle gasket, discovering indicators of gasket failure round one of many cylinders, which seems to be suspiciously cleaner than the opposite three—an indication of water intrusion. Digging deeper, he finds the cylinder’s rod has been bent, that means it tried (and failed) to compress water. That’ll do it.
Regardless of these apparent indicators of injury, it is not completely clear how this engine failed. It may’ve overheated, or the pinnacle gasket may’ve failed by itself. Eric reached out to the dealership that eliminated the engine from the automotive, however they did not know something about it, both. One factor is obvious, although: This little four-cylinder will not be making its means again right into a automotive any time quickly.
