questions about 3 litre:

[boombang]

here are a few q's, thanks in advance.

did a search but didn't find much of use (so many threads!)

MPG expected off 3litre derv manual?
What known problems?
How long to road tyres last and how much for replacement?
Any other problems associated with towing 1500kg?
How much is clutch replacement?
Any Surf specialists in the Essex or Surrey area?

[Andy Dawson]

[QUOTE=boombang]here are a few q's, thanks in advance.

did a search but didn't find much of use (so many threads!)

MPG expected off 3litre derv manual?
I get between 27 and 30 MPG, it all depends how heavy your foot is!
What known problems?
No major problems reported, although I did crack a cylinder head once
How long to road tyres last and how much for replacement?
4x4 tyres should be good for at least 20K if not closer to 50K, I got a set of GoodYear MTs (4off) for a hair over £400 last year.
Any other problems associated with towing 1500kg?
Took a trailer with a L/R lightweight and ride-on lawn mower to France late last year - MPG dropped to 24 but no problem otherwise
How much is clutch replacement?
Sorry, no idea - mine is still fine! (with 70K on the clock now)
Any Surf specialists in the Essex or Surrey area?
Again sorry, I'm a Wiltshire lad and don't know that part of the country well enough.
Best of luck with everything, any more help needed I'm sure some one will try to help.

[IIIrd]

Any Surf specialists in the Essex or Surrey area?

there's a toyota garage in sandhurst that has no problem with surfs...berkshire i know, but if you live guildford/camberley way, then useful

[boombang]

Thanks guys - very helpful.

This cracking cylinder head thing is rather worrying though - I thought it was only on the 2.4's?

I take it there is an ample supply of "spare" heads around?

Did I read somewhere cost is around £1k mark?

Any idea on how why head cracks? (different material to block?)

[Tallyman]

It's an alloy head on an iron block. Any head will crack if it overheats too much / too often. 2.4L head has design fault on certain vehicles, not all. 3.0L does not have that problem but if it overheats badly then you could get it to crack.

Part of the problem is with auto's. The ATF cooler is in the bottom of the rad and obstructs the cooled water outflow back around the engine. If the ATF fluid overheats it re-heats the coolant before it goes back into the engine, thereby inceasing the temp instead of reducing it. Should not be a problem with manual Surfs but they are harder to come by as most imports are autos. Autos do work better with a supplimentary oil cooler fitted in the line before the in-rad cooler as it makes sure the ATF fluid is cooled before it gets into the rad.

[kitesurf_phil]

The surf head is not aluminium. It's proper(ish) cast iron. I have only heard of the heads going on a handful of 3.0L Surfs and in at least two of the cases they had been badly overheated to the point of cooking.

[Zulu263]

there's a toyota garage in sandhurst that has no problem with surfs...berkshire i know, but if you live guildford/camberley way, then useful

Hi
whats the name of the garage in Sandhurst?

cheers
stu

[fatfires]

Surrey it aint, but Tony N is only a spit away down the M3, aannnnd good for the test drive to fix the smile after

[TonyN]

The surf head is not aluminium. It's proper(ish) cast iron. I have only heard of the heads going on a handful of 3.0L Surfs and in at least two of the cases they had been badly overheated to the point of cooking.

3.0's are alloy.

[TonyN]

How much is clutch replacement?

Clutches are similar to any other car, about £120 but they have a two peice flywheel which can sometimes catch you out for ££££ if it breaks up.

I think people have found it cheaper to fit a normal 4runner flywheel than replace the orginial flywheel (£500 from Roughtrax!!!)

I've done a few clutches in the last year, and its not been a problem.

[fatfires]

3.0's are alloy.

and look loverlee next to a red block

[andrewlee31]

had a cracked head on a 3 litre myself, problem was a blocked radiator, so may well be worth having system flushed

[Andy Dawson]

I think my head went 'cause the radiator was full of mud and thus couldn't cool properly.

The problem stems from having the air con rad in front of the main rad. Go off road and fill em full of mud, then drive quickly (80+) and you start to cook things!

I've now learned the lesson and make sure the front gets a good a thougher clean after I've been playing.

[Bikenuts]

Clutches are similar to any other car, about £120 but they have a two peice flywheel which can sometimes catch you out for ££££ if it breaks up.

I think people have found it cheaper to fit a normal 4runner flywheel than replace the orginial flywheel (£500 from Roughtrax!!!)

I've done a few clutches in the last year, and its not been a problem.

~Yup cost me (or to be acurate the warrenty company) less for a new 4 Runner Flywheel, bolts 3 pice clutch kit and spigot bearing than the cost of a new dual mass fly wheel.

I've got a set of Yokahama Geolandar ITs fitted and in 25K miles they've hardly worn - 1-2mm tops, grips not bad too.

[andycook]

always seems people with 3rd gen surfs post higher MPG figures than 2nd gens
wonder why that is?