Toyota 3VZ-FE

The Toyota 3VZ-FE is a 3.0 L (2,958 cc, 180.5 cu·in) V6, four-stroke cycle water-cooled naturally aspirated internal combustion gasoline engine, manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation since 1992 to 1997.

The 3VZ-FE engine has 6 cylinders in a V arrangement at a bank angle of 60° The 3VZ-FE features a cast-iron cylinder block with a four-bearings crankshaft and two aluminum heads with two camshafts (DOHC) and four valves per cylinder (24 in total). The Toyota 3VZ-FE engine is equipped with SFI (Sequential Multiport Fuel Injection) system and an electronic ignition system with a mechanical distributor.

An 87.5 mm (3.44 in) cylinder bore and 82.0 mm (3.23 in) piston stroke give the 3VZ-FE engine a total of 2,958 cc of displacement. The compression ratio rating is 9.6:1. The Toyota 3VZ-FE engine produced from 185 PS (136 kW; 182 HP) at 5,800 rpm to 200 PS (147 kW; 197 HP) at 5,800 rpm of maximum power and from 256 N·m (26.1 kg·m, 188.7 ft·lb) at 4,600 rpm to 275 N·m (28.0 kg·m, 202.7 ft·lb) at 4,600 rpm of peak torque.

The breakdown of the engine code is as follows:

• 3 – 3rd generation engine
• VZ – Engine family
• F – Economy narrow-angle DOHC
• E – Multi Point Fuel Injection

General information

Cylinder block

The 3VZ–FE engine has 6 cylinders in a V arrangement at a bank angle of 60°. This engine’s firing order is 1–2–3–4–5–6. The crankshaft is supported by four bearings inside the crankcase. These bearings are made of copper and lead alloy. The crankshaft is integrated with semi 9 counterweights for balance. Oil holes are placed in the center of the crankshaft for supplying oil to the connecting rods, pistons and other components. Crankshaft main journal diameter is 64.000 mm (2.52 in) and crankpin diameter is 55.000 mm (2.16 in)

Pistons are made of high temperature–resistant aluminum alloy, and depression is built into the piston head to prevent interference with the valves. Piston pins are the full–floating type, with the pins fastened to neither the piston boss nor the connecting rods.

Each piston is equipped with two compressions and one oil control rings. The top compression ring is made of steel and the second compression ring is made of cast iron. The oil ring is made of a combination of steel and stainless steel. The outer diameter of each piston ring is slightly larger than the diameter of the piston and the flexibility of the rings allows them to a hub the cylinder walls when they are mounted on the piston.

Bore is 87.5 mm (3.44 in) and stroke is 82.0 mm (3.23 in). The compression ratio rating is 9.6:1.

Main bearing cap bolts tightening procedure and torque specs:

• Step 1: 61 Nm; 6.2 kg·m; 45 ft·lb
• Step 2: Turn bolts 90°

After securing bearing cap bolts, make sure crankshaft turns smoothly by hand.

Connecting rod bearing bolts

• Step 1: 25 Nm; 2.5 kg·m; 18 ft·lb
• Step 2: Turn bolts 90°

Crankshaft pulley bolt

• 250 Nm; 25.0 kg·m; 184 ft·lb

Flywheel or drive plate

• 83 Nm; 8.5 kg·m; 61 ft·lb

Cylinder head

The cylinder heads are made of aluminum alloy, with a cross-flow type intake and exhaust layout and with pent–roof type combustion chambers. The spark plugs are located in the center of the combustion chambers. The 3VZ-FE engine has double overhead camshafts DOHC design with four valves per cylinder (two intake and two exhaust valves). The intake camshafts are driven by a single timing belt, and a gear on the intake camshaft engages with a gear on the exhaust camshaft to drive it. The camshaft journal is supported at five (intake) or four (exhaust) places between the valve lifters of each cylinder and on the front end of the cylinder head.

The intake valves are 34.0 mm (1.34 in) of diameter, while the exhaust valves have a diameter of 27.3 mm (1.07 in). The intake duration is 230&deg, the valve lift is 7.85 mm, and the exhaust duration is 230&deg, valve lift is 7.60 mm;. Exhaust and intake valves are equipped with irregular pitch springs made of special valve spring carbon steel which are capable of functioning no matter what the engine speed.

Adjustment of the valve clearance is done by means of an outer shim type system, in which valve adjusting shims are located above the valve lifters. This permits the replacement of the shims without removal of the camshafts.

Head tightening procedure and torque specs:

• 12 pointed head Step 1: 34 Nm; 3.5 kg·m; 25 ft·lb
• Step 2: Turn all bolts 90°
• Step 3: Turn all bolts another 90°
• Recessed head: 18 Nm; 1.8 kg·m; 13 ft·lb

Maintenance data

Valve clearance adjustment data

Calculate the thickness of the new adjusting valve shim so valve clearance comes within specified values.

R = Thickness of removed valve shim
N = Thickness of new valve shim
M = Measured valve clearance

Intake:
N = R + [M – 0.20 mm (0.008 in)]
Exhaust:
N = R + [M – 0.30 mm (0.012 in)]

Valve shims are available in 17 sizes to range from 2.50 mm (0.0984 in) to 3.30 mm (0.1299 in), in steps of 0.05 mm (0.0020 in).

Example (exhaust valve):
R = 2.70 mm
M = 0.52 mm
N = 2.70 + (0.45 – 0.30) = 2.85 mm.

Vehicle applications

Author: Sergei Wers
About: Co-founder and CEO of a multi-brand auto repair shop (engine repair, chassis repair, body repair and painting) for over 15 years. I have been developing internet sites with technical specifications for more than seven years.