Toyota 1AZ-FE engine
Engines

Toyota 1AZ-FE engine

In the early 2000s, Toyota introduced a new line of AZ engines, which became an adequate replacement for one of the most massive series of S series engines. In particular, 1AZ-FE became a replacement for one of the most popular engines for middle class cars - 3S-FE. However, Toyota did not achieve such a range of configurations and modifications on the new unit as its predecessor.

Toyota 1AZ-FE engine

Like many lines of conventional gasoline engines, this series received a modification 1AZ-FSE - a model with direct fuel injection. This internal combustion engine is less common in Russia, but also worthy of the attention of buyers. Today, such motors continue to be installed on a number of classic models, but more modern units are already being sold in Russia.

Main technical characteristics of the engine

The power units of the series are universal, so their characteristics do not differ in excessive power injection or amazing torque. The Japanese tried to make a unit that endures high mileage without repair, has practical timing chains, and also has a minimum number of serious problems.

Here are the main characteristics of the 1AZ-FE engine:

WinemakingJapan (Kamigo, Shimoyama)
Серия1AZ
Production startNovember 2000, XNUMX
Unit volume1998 cc cm.
Rated power145-150 h.p.
Peak power, rpm5700-6000 rpm
Torque190-200 N*m at 4000 rpm
Cylinder blockaluminum
Motor weight131 kg
Fuel supplyinjector (for modification FE)
Cylinder arrangementinline
Cylinders4
Valve16
Piston stroke86 mm
Bore86 mm
Compression ratio9.6 – 9.8
Fuelgasoline, not lower than 95
Ecological approvalEuro 5
Fuel consumption per 100 km:
- town11.4 l
- mixed9.8 l
- track7.3 l
Oil consumption per 1000 kmno more than 1000 gr
Oil type0W-20, 5W20
Crankcase Oil Volume4.2 l

Toyota powertrain design

A lightweight aluminum cylinder block and an excellent VVT-i valve timing system were important achievements of the unit. The electronic throttle made the motor easier to operate, more stable and removed a number of potential breakdowns. The axis of the cylinders has a design feature - an offset relative to the axis of the crankshaft. This was done to increase the life of the sleeves.

Toyota 1AZ-FE engine
1az-fe engine block

The plant did not determine the engine resource, but the reviews allow you to form an opinion about the service life of the unit. A mileage of 300 km is considered normal. With a higher mileage, malfunctions occur that indicate serious wear of the main mechanisms and parts.

Attached equipment runs for a long time, does not cause problems. The generator on some cars requires replacement after 200 km. In the cooling system, problems can only be caused by a thermostat that does not like the Russian winter. The valve mechanism itself, as well as the entire cylinder head system, do not cause problems. It is important to monitor operating conditions and provide good service.

Gearboxes for 1AZ engine

Boxes were installed traditional mechanical and automatic. The 6-speed mechanics serves quite well, does not cause any problems. Automata are characterized by unconventional behavior in D4 modes and some variants of forced gear engagement. But this is not a question for the motor, but for the automatic transmission itself. The device of the box is quite complicated, and one of the big problems for the owners of such cars with a gun will be the high cost of repairs.

On which cars the 1AZ-FE engine was installed

The list of models for this unit is small. A modified version of the FSE with direct injection was installed on a wider range of models. The unit described today serves under the hood of such cars:

  • Toyota Camry (Aurion in some countries) 2006-2009;
  • Toyota RAV4 (also put on RAV4 Euro) from 2001 to 2006;
  • Toyota Avensis Verso (Picnic in some countries) from 2001 to 2009.

Despite the fact that the units are no longer put on new cars of the concern for the Russian Federation, they are still produced and sold as spare parts for car repairs. The bulk of the Russian market is represented in Camry and RAV4, but the Avensis Verso was practically not sold with us, there are only used cars brought from Japan.

The main problems in the engines of the 1AZ series

Despite the rather high reliability of these units, they also had childhood illnesses. It is important to note that even the new engines did not get rid of most of the problems. Many unpleasant little things, such as breakage and the need to replace pushers, often lead to large-scale work - sleeve, replacement of standard parts with oversized pistons, for example. But these are isolated problems. It is worth remembering about more massive troubles:

  1. Disruption of the threads of the cylinder head fastening. The gasket does not help, antifreeze accumulates on the back wall of the block. The geometry of the structure is knocked down, the block is sent to the trash, expensive repairs are needed.
  2. Vibration at idle. This also translates into an idle problem. Usually cleaning the fuel supply system, EGR, idle valve helps. The replacement of the unit installation cushions also partially removes vibration.
  3. The motor is twitching. 1AZ-FE is prone to carbon deposits, it is necessary to clean the intake manifold. If this does not work, you will have to look at the VVT-i valve or even change the lambda probe.
  4. Floating turnovers. Also, often with this symptom, the engine is dull, fuel consumption begins. The culprit is the EGR system, which was not installed for the European market, only in Japanese versions. It is recommended to disable it on a good service.
  5. Consumption increase after 200 km. Most likely, you will have to change the nozzles, as well as look at the injection pump system. It is quite possible that a serious engine capital with good investments will be required.
TOYOTA RAV 4 ICE 1AZ-FE attempt to cure part 1

Does the valve bend in the engine with problems with the timing?

This model of the unit is equipped with a chain, and many motorists consider this system to be indestructible. But the problem is that jumping the chain will become a serious nuisance. When removing a valve cover after such a problem, you will be surprised how destroyed the cylinder head system is. At high speeds, it does not just bend the valves, but destroys the entire head without a chance of recovery.

Another problem is that such motors do not go too long after repair. The restoration itself is not easy, as specific turnkey dimensions and unusual factory clamping requirements create problems. What is only the tightening torque of the connecting rods, which must exactly match the factory manual. It is also not easy to select pistons, especially if repair dimensions are needed. When it comes to capital, it is often easier to find a contract motor.

Operational features of the 1AZ-FE motor

Many confuse this series with 1ZZ motors. Engines with the ZZ designation are smaller displacement, built specifically for the US market, and have far fewer childhood illnesses. Looking at the pros and cons of buying a new AZ powertrain, you'll find more benefits. But when choosing a car with good mileage, such a motor can bring a lot of trouble. Among the operational features, it is worth noting the following features:

But there are also significant advantages of the unit. Among the advantages are good service of the fuel system, reliability of the timing system at low mileage. Many car owners in Eastern Europe install HBO, and the engine does not lose its resource. It is enough to change the candles and check the oil level. You do not have to conduct more thorough and expensive diagnostics to maintain the performance of the power plant. Even with poor fuel, there are usually no serious problems.

Tuning and refinement of the 1AZ-FE engine

The issue of refinement and increase in power practically does not arise up to 150 thousand kilometers. But after this milestone, the engine loses some power. Given the robust design, the power unit can be easily improved both with the help of software methods and with the use of hardware tuning.

The main possibilities for increasing power are as follows:

  1. Chip tuning using software methods (Stage 1). It is possible to increase the power of the installation to 165-170 hp without harm to the motor.
  2. Boring. You can bore the cylinder block, the output will be a 2AZ engine with a 2.4-liter volume and a significantly increased thrust. But the cost is unrealistically high.
  3. Supercharging Turbocharging kit from TRD, for example, is suitable for this engine. Of course, you will need an intercooler, new nozzles, a thicker cylinder head gasket and other minor improvements. Engine potential - 200 hp without changing the piston group.


Also, during tuning, the catalyst is removed, a direct-flow exhaust system is installed, EGR is removed, factory restrictions and software blocks are removed (Stage 2 tuning). All this will help to achieve freer breathing of the motor, which will give more freedom in movement. But with incorrect tuning, engine wear will be excessively high.

Conclusions - reliability and practicality of the 1AZ unit

This motor is not the most reliable of the Toyota line. But the motor without problems can reach up to 300 km without significant changes in power and basic characteristics. It is worth remembering that Toyota needs good oil, optimal consumables. If the operation does not meet factory specifications, the fuel system and the head of the block will begin to create problems already in the second hundred thousand mileage.

The masters at the service claim that the 1AZ-FE is quite maintainable, but its restoration is quite expensive. Therefore, in case of serious breakdowns, it is often more profitable to find a good contract motor from Japan. Before installing such engines, it is better to disable and remove the EGR unit.

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