tales of woh!(rant)

[andrewcrofts]

hi all,
why do i get the impression that the surf 2.4 lump is nothing but trouble? all i seem to be able to find is post's about cylinder head trouble and how much people expect to have to fork out to repair their 'ticking time bomb!' if it goes pear shaped. i am in the process of buying my first surf which, on first inspection seemed to be an excelent choice of motor. but having tried to find something positive to boost my (inexpirienced) discission, all i find is worry at weather or not i have made the right choice.
does any one have a tale of how they've clocked up a zillion miles and only had to brush the interior mats down, or driven around the world twenty times without so much as a puncture!

sorry for the rant, but newbies like myself need a little encouragement and confidence and no one can give it more than those with experiance, like your self.

thanks. andy crofts

[Koi]

Hi Andy, Indeed it does seem that this is a problem with the 2.4's. After all thats we are good for, talking about the negative things in life for ever and ever, the good points get a mere mention in passing.
Under Tech general I started a poll on the head problem, last check revealed 18% of 2.4 owners had trouble with the head.
Every time someone new comes on the forum they read the posts on the head trouble then ask the same questions all over again, so we get another 20 posts on the head problem, it then appears that 2.4's have nothing but trouble. I am not saying that questions shouldn't be asked by newbies, not at all thats why we are here, its just that it seems we are all highly skilled in talking about the negative things in life for ever and a year and the good hardly get mentioned. So you see it does appear the head is a major issue, or is it?
I have had my head go, I replaced it, love my vehicle and would buy it all over again.
So come on people lets start now hands up who enjoy their motor, have had no troubles, 77 have voted so lets hear it.

[Guest]

Hi Andy, Indeed it does seem that this is a problem with the 2.4's. After all thats we are good for, talking about the negative things in life for ever and ever, the good points get a mere mention in passing.
Under Tech general I started a poll on the head problem, last check revealed 18% of 2.4 owners had trouble with the head.
Every time someone new comes on the forum they read the posts on the head trouble then ask the same questions all over again, so we get another 20 posts on the head problem, it then appears that 2.4's have nothing but trouble. I am not saying that questions shouldn't be asked by newbies, not at all thats why we are here, its just that it seems we are all highly skilled in talking about the negative things in life for ever and a year and the good hardly get mentioned. So you see it does appear the head is a major issue, or is it?
I have had my head go, I replaced it, love my vehicle and would buy it all over again.
So come on people lets start now hands up who enjoy their motor, have had no troubles, 77 have voted so lets hear it.

Here Here!!!.

Think of how many 2.4 Diesel Toyota engines there are in the world, after the Small Block Chevy it's about the most common engine built. It's fitted in numerous vehicles from Pickups, Small landcruisers, Surfs etc etc.

While it seems that Toyota had a bit of a problem on a couple of years worth of Heads (either poor initial design or possibly a tooling problem that wasn't picked up), the general build of the engine is somewhat akin to a brick outhouse.

Only thing it does is give you a bit of bargaining position with the dealer to reduce the price. All new heads fitted (as long as they are new and have been fitted in the last 8 or so years) were redesigned to get rid of the problem.

I don't regret buying my 2.4, I paid top money for it, cracked the head, replaced it myself and I still think it is worth every penny as I now have a car that will probably last me another 8 - 10 years, I do between 15 and 18K miles a year, it's comfortable, reliable, tough, rust free, has loads of toys and enables me to carry as much DIY and building stuff as I need without even breaking sweat.

The Forum as Koi says mainly showcases the problems but then the major reason for this forum is to help people with problems. If there were no problems then it would probably be a fairly quiet place. The poll showed it ain't as bad as it looks so I wouldn't worry.

If you bought a 10 year old Ford, you may well end up requiring a new engine (been there, done that).

I thin we all expect these machines to be as reliable and strong as the day they came out of the factory and no car is like that after 10 years plus. But then a lot of 10 year old cars would also be requiring major bodywork, suspension or other work done.

Take all the good info on here but remember, you first thought you made a good choice. Your first impressions were correct, you did make a good choice.

Enjoy it, you won't regret it.

Cheers

[carbonman]

Here Here!!!.

Think of how many 2.4 Diesel Toyota engines there are in the world, after the Small Block Chevy it's about the most common engine built. It's fitted in numerous vehicles from Pickups, Small landcruisers, Surfs etc etc.

While it seems that Toyota had a bit of a problem on a couple of years worth of Heads (either poor initial design or possibly a tooling problem that wasn't picked up), the general build of the engine is somewhat akin to a brick outhouse.

Only thing it does is give you a bit of bargaining position with the dealer to reduce the price. All new heads fitted (as long as they are new and have been fitted in the last 8 or so years) were redesigned to get rid of the problem.

I don't regret buying my 2.4, I paid top money for it, cracked the head, replaced it myself and I still think it is worth every penny as I now have a car that will probably last me another 8 - 10 years, I do between 15 and 18K miles a year, it's comfortable, reliable, tough, rust free, has loads of toys and enables me to carry as much DIY and building stuff as I need without even breaking sweat.

The Forum as Koi says mainly showcases the problems but then the major reason for this forum is to help people with problems. If there were no problems then it would probably be a fairly quiet place. The poll showed it ain't as bad as it looks so I wouldn't worry.

If you bought a 10 year old Ford, you may well end up requiring a new engine (been there, done that).

I thin we all expect these machines to be as reliable and strong as the day they came out of the factory and no car is like that after 10 years plus. But then a lot of 10 year old cars would also be requiring major bodywork, suspension or other work done.

Take all the good info on here but remember, you first thought you made a good choice. Your first impressions were correct, you did make a good choice.

Enjoy it, you won't regret it.

Cheers

Im running a 2.4 and have had it for not far off 6 months. I have had no problems with the head as of yet.
But as koi said, if it does go, I will get it fixed as the surf is the best vehicle I have owned.
Its no difference with anything really, sometimes your lucky sometimes your not. How many people have had the head go on "other" cars...
I don't know much about the 3 litre but I would guess they have their faults as well as their good points too. All cars and engines do.... its the way of the motoring industry.
Why worry about what hasn't yet happened, enjoy the present!

[SurfnTurf]

Hi Andy,

I got my 2.4 just over a year ago with about 39,000 miles on the clock ( Very low for a kreg). I've done 15k in the last year with no problems at all. Previous to the Surf i had 2 Renaults, both fairly new, and in all the heads went 3 times. My Surf is 12 years old and i cant think of many cars of that age that i would have looked at and seen such a sound engine. It is a great choice, and i'm sure you would realise this if you decide to buy one. I read the posts discussing the cracked heads, but knew that i wanted one (for a long time!) so it didn't put me off. I could have just bought another renault and the head may have gone in that, and i wouldn't have had half as much fun getting dirty!

Good luck,

Nick.

[pops]

hi andy. had mine nearly year now and had no probs mate.
surf on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Delboy]

My head has gone 15 times. Just kidding. I had mine go but i would never change it. It still looks so cool even after 14 years. There stll aren't too many around si it kinda stands out a bit. And they're great off road too.

[bobafatass]

My Surf has done a total of 144000 kms which is getting on for 100000 mls, she starts first time every time,and purrs like a kitten.It's never had the head done and has never let me or the previous owner down.
I would say that if you look after you motor then you should get many years of happy surfing from it.

[marky]

Ive had my 2.4 SURF for 12 months 30,000 kms & i love it i still smile when i see it. its great offroad actually i was more than amazed at what it can do AWESOME bit of kit. i service it on a regular basis i also check the oil and water every weekend. i wouldnt swap it for anything else.

[TAZMAN]

I s'ppose I'm one of the lucky ones. I got a 3 gen 3.0 and bought it without much research on the Surf's. Prior to that I was looking and testing Pajero's & Shoguns etc to buy and drove quite a few engine sizes and specs, but just couldnt get that feeling of it being the right one. I found my Surf in advertised in Autotrader with a wholesaler dealer who had just started selling imports and went and had a look. When I test drove it that was it, I was hooked and struck a deal. I got it fairly cheap as it hadnt been prepped for the forecourt and needed a clean etc although it had been SVA'd and MOT'd. Even though it's a 3.0, I dont doubt it will have it's problems, I hope this doesnt tempt fate, but If or when that time comes, I wont hesitate to have it fixed and would probably need a 2nd mortgage for it, but out of all the cars I've had this is the first time I regularly wash & wax it, paid almost £500 on tyres and always, always look forward to going out for a drive in it. Even if it was a 2.4 when I test drove it, I dont think it would have mattered. One thing I'm sure of tho, I will never go back to driving a "normal" car.
And another thing...I will service it regularly myself now cos I've been shown how easy it is by Nigel (Koi) and Andy (Lucky) and that is feat, me being a mechanical muppet.

[Fish]

Best motor Ive ever owned

No doubt about it, I'm with you Tazman, lucky to have a 3rd gen and lovin it, best car Ive ever owned!!!!!!!!!

Fish

[Elvz]

I've owned a lot of Surfs, over almost ten years, all of them with 2LT engines and I've never had a cylinder head crack. Most of the Surfs I still own have done a lot more than 100,000Km and the highest mileage one I ever had was sold off at 235,000. It was sold because it was in generally poor condition and had electrical and transmission problems but the engine was still ok and the cooling system perfect.

I think this is due to all the cars I've owned being manual transmission and being driven sensibly and also being regularly maintained to a professional standard.

[andrewcrofts]

many thanks, having read your post's you've inspired me with confidence once again, even to the point of putting down a deposit on the surf i had my eye on- collect it next wednesday( cant wait)
as you all said keep it serviced and it should be o.k. pretty much like any other motor really, and if it goes, it goes.
once again many thanks. i'll keep having a look at the site as it is a useful source of info to a virgin surfer like me, i'm sure i'll be posting again to source a 2.4 head or sell a clean damage repairable surf!!! (should'nt tempt fate!)


andy crofts

[TAZMAN]

many thanks, having read your post's you've inspired me with confidence once again, even to the point of putting down a deposit on the surf i had my eye on- collect it next wednesday( cant wait)
as you all said keep it serviced and it should be o.k. pretty much like any other motor really, and if it goes, it goes.
once again many thanks. i'll keep having a look at the site as it is a useful source of info to a virgin surfer like me, i'm sure i'll be posting again to source a 2.4 head or sell a clean damage repairable surf!!! (should'nt tempt fate!)


andy crofts

You wont be sorry Andy. I take you've read the main thread but once you've got your Surf, it's a good idea to follow these guides.

Things to do after purchase:

Change all fluids to UK suitable - especially coolant fluid, this is very important.
Renew thermostat.
Change timing belt (also known as cam-belt). approx 60k miles
Replace rear coils if vehicle is sagging (standard height seems to be 22" from wheel center to wheel arch).
Fuel/oil treatments (Redex etc.).

[gemini]

You wont be sorry Andy. I take you've read the main thread but once you've got your Surf, it's a good idea to follow these guides.

Things to do after purchase:

Change all fluids to UK suitable - especially coolant fluid, this is very important.
Renew thermostat.
Change timing belt (also known as cam-belt). approx 60k miles
Replace rear coils if vehicle is sagging (standard height seems to be 22" from wheel center to wheel arch).
Fuel/oil treatments (Redex etc.).

all the above, but just as important, if not more, flush the cooling system after draining, when refilling with water & antifreeze make sure heaters are set to hot and there is no airlock in the system before putting the cap on