The Three Most Common Toyota 5.7 V8 Engine Issues. Toyota debuted the 5.7 V8 engine in 2007 for use in the Tundra, Sequoia, Land Cruiser, and Lexus LX 570. The engine is also known as the Toyota 3UR-FE and will continue to be used in the same vehicles in 2021. It produces 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. Toyota previously provided a TRD supercharger for the 5.7L engine, increasing power to 504hp and 550tq. Although the 3UR-FE has a lot to offer, no engine is perfect. This post will go through some of the most prevalent Toyota 5.7 V8 engine issues and reliability.
What Vehicles Make Use of the 3UR-FE?
The following vehicles use Toyota 3UR-FE 5.7L engines:
- Toyota Tundra from 2007 to the present
- Toyota Sequoia from 2007 to the present
- Toyota Land Cruiser (2007-present)
- 2007-present Lexus LX570
*Note: For some years and models, the 3UR-FE was an upgrade option rather than the basic engine.
Three Common Toyota 5.7 V8 Engine Issues
Among the most prevalent problems with the 5.7 3UR-FE engine are:
- Leaks from the camera tower
- The water pump
- Excessive oil usage
We’ll go over the aforementioned difficulties in detail over the rest of this post before wrapping up with some general remarks on 3UR-FE reliability. But first, a couple short notes before we get started. For good reason, we’ve categorized these as the most prevalent Toyota 5.7 engine issues. It does not imply that the issues are widespread. Rather, these are some of the most typical areas where failures occur.
Furthermore, the 5.7 V8 has been around for 14 years. Because of normal wear and tear with age and mileage, newer models are likely to be more reliable in the short run. Having saying that, the Toyota 5.7 is a fantastic engine that is made to last.
1) Leaks in the Toyota 5.7 V8 Cam Tower
Contrary to popular belief, cam tower oil leaks are a prevalent issue on the Toyota 3UR-FE engine. What is a cam tower, Google cam tower, and so on. Almost every top result is regarding the Toyota Tundra and its 5.7L engine. True, the internet has a propensity to exaggerate things. Especially when the repair is costly, like with the Toyota 3UR-FE cam tower leaks.
The cam towers are located beneath the valve covers, and instead of a gasket, Toyota employs RTV sealant. The sealant breaks down over time, causing oil leaks in the cam towers. The leaks typically begin near the rear of the Toyota cam towers, allowing oil to seep onto the highly hot exhaust manifold. As a result, it’s a critical issue to address because it can lead to fire and safety hazards.
Again, cam tower leaks are a rather regular issue on the Toyota 5.7 engine. Look for problems in the 50,000 to 100,000 mile range. However, leaks have appeared even earlier. Because this is a costly issue, some Toyota owners have had success convincing Toyota to assist or cover the repair costs.
Symptoms of 3UR-FE 5.7 Cam Tower
The following are some signs that may suggest that the 5.7 V8 cam towers are leaking:
- There is a visible oil leak.
- The odor of burning oil
- Engine compartment smoke
Toyota cam tower leak symptoms are straightforward. You may detect a visible leak, but it’s likely that all of the oil is being burned off before it reaches the ground. Because it frequently drips down the 5.7 exhaust manifold, you’ll probably smell burning oil and see some smoke.
Repair 5.7L V8 Cam Tower Oil Leak
The valve cover(s) must be removed to repair the cam tower oil leak. That is already somewhat labor intensive, but it is only the beginning of the job. The video below gives a decent representation of the work and labor involved in this task. It should be left to do-it-yourselfers with adequate skill and competence. Otherwise, Toyota 5.7 cam tower oil leak repairs can cost $1,500 or more.
2) Toyota 5.7 Water Pump Failure
Water pump problems are frequent on many engines, therefore the Toyota 3UR-FE 5.7L engine isn’t alone in this regard. Water pump problems on the 5.7 are not as common as cam tower breakdowns. Water pumps have a weep hole to allow coolant to flow out. When the internal seal or bearing breaks, coolant leaks through the weep hole. This keeps the water pump from causing further harm to itself.
Fortunately, it is precisely how these Toyota 5.7 water pumps fail. The water pump continues to circulate engine coolant and keep temperatures in check. On the 3UR-FE engine, it is still a failure that should be corrected as soon as feasible. However, it is not a catastrophic water pump failure that necessitates an urgent engine shutdown.
The water pump might still fail catastrophically, but with the 5.7L V8, it’s considerably less likely. However, if this occurs, it is critical to turn off the engine to avoid excessive overheating and further damage. Water pump leaks on the Toyota 5.7 are common between 60,000 and 100,000 km. However, many of these pumps last far beyond 150,000 miles.
Related : The Ultimate Toyota 7M-GTE Engine Information
Symptoms of 3UR-FE Water Pump Failure
Look for the following symptoms on the Toyota 5.7 engine that may indicate a water pump problem:
- Coolant leak that can be seen
- Engine coolant is low.
- Overheating
- Check engine light and error codes
Again, an internal breakdown that causes coolant to leak through the weep hole is the most typical reason of Toyota 3UR-FE water pump failure. If not treated immediately, this will result in a visible leak and low coolant. Overheating, a check engine light, and fault codes can occur if the 5.7 V8 pump breaks altogether.
Toyota 5.7L Water Pump Repair
In comparison to some of the other makes and models we’ve discussed, a Toyota 5.7 water pump replacement is rather inexpensive. The 3UR-FE water pump costs between $70-150. While you’re in there, try changing the thermostat and serpentine belt. DIY water pump jobs on the 5.7 V8 are quite simple, however accessing the pump takes some time. Labor typically takes 3-6 hours, so expect to pay an additional $250-600 for a repair shop to replace the Toyota 5.7L water pump.
Toyota 3UR-FE Excessive Engine Oil Consumption
Alright. We don’t think this should be on the list. Some may view the 5.7 liter V8’s higher oil consumption to be a concern. However, it does not appear to have any negative consequences or reliability issues. As a result, we’re actually simply talking about rising oil usage because we’ve run out of other topics to discuss.
There are several aspects to this. The Toyota 5.7’s high oil consumption could be attributable in part to piston ring clearance. It could also be due to the use of low-quality oils in the past. The PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) system is another consideration. PCV valve failure is known to increase oil usage.
Again, we’re just throwing this out there as a fast discussion point. The 5.7L 3UR-FE is a superb engine in every way, and there aren’t many more typical issues to bring up. High oil consumption appears to have little influence on overall dependability or longevity.
Toyota 5.7 Oil Consumption Reduction
Some things you can take to help reduce oil usage on the 3UR-FE are as follows:
- Synthetic oils of high quality
- Oils with a higher molecular weight
- Examine and service the PCV system
- Idle time should be limited.
High-quality synthetic oils may help to reduce overall oil usage. The oil weight for the Toyota 5.7 liter engine is 0w20. However, 30 weight oils are okay, and a thicker oil may result in less blow-by. Excessive idling, especially on a cold engine, can further cause oil blow-by. Otherwise, inspect and maintain the PCV system.
Some oil consumption is natural, and it is not a big source of concern for dependability and longevity. However, excessive oil consumption may be a clue that something is mechanically wrong. That is a rare occurrence, and the majority of oil usage on the 5.7L V8 is natural.
Toyota Reliability 5.7 V8
Is the 5.7L Toyota 3UR-FE engine trustworthy? Yes, we believe the Toyota 5.7 engine is more reliable than average. Cam tower oil leaks and water pump leaks are two of the most typical issues that owners face. Cam tower oil leaks can be costly to repair, but the problems are certainly exaggerated to some extent.
Otherwise, there aren’t many frequent issues with the 5.7L V8. Most engines have issues at some point in their life, but that’s just part of owning a car or truck. Engines have several moving parts that are prone to misuse and wear and tear. Maintenance is essential to having a positive experience with any engine, and the Toyota 5.7 V8 is no exception.
Use high-quality oils, change the fluids on schedule, and address problems as they arise. If you do all of this, the 3UR-FE will almost certainly deliver great reliability. The Toyota 5.7 engine is well-made and built to last for more than 250,000 km.
