2.4 Lt Surf Engine .block Cracking?

[DYSON 2004]

HI FELLAS JUST RECENTLY GOT A TOYOTA LAND CRUISER PRADO 2.4 TD AUTO .APPARENTLY IT`S GOT A SURF ENGINE IN IT EFI.DONT ASK ME WHY EVERYONE I SPEAK TO SAYS IT SHOULD HAVE A 3 LITRE INIT .ANYWAY GOT TALKING TO A FELLA THE OTHER DAY WHO HAS HAD ANIGHTMARE WITH HIS SURF HE RECKONS IT WAS GREAT UNTIL HE STARTED TOWING A CARAVAN WITH IT WHICH IS WHAT I INTEND TO DO WITH MINE.IT COST HIM AROUND £2500 TO PUT IT NEARLY AS GOOD AS IT WAS BEFORE ALL HIS TROUBLE DOES ANY KNOW OR HEARD OF ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS AS I AM NOW BRICKIN IT THANKS ;)

[Andy]

The Prado was built with a 2.4 engine so dont worry about that bit,and yes the 2.4 Surf motor does suffer with a head problem,the head has been known to crack around the valves letting in water.

Make sure that the coolant has been changed and that you dont have any air locks in the system,also fit a new thermostat and rad cap.

You might find that you will also need to fit an additional transmission cooler for towing.

[Master_Simon]

Yes I agree, make sure the rad etc has been flushed and tested also consider an electric fan if one is not already fitted.

My hiace cost me 1200+ sovs when the head failed, the 2.4 unit is a lot cheaper apparently. I have read they don't use any coolant additives in japan, and this causes corrosion which will need to be flushed from the system.

Rgds

Simon

[oddjones]

I don't want to worry you but I have one of these - bought at auction in summer to take the family to France... Got it as far as Slough and it cracked the cylinder head, blew the water pump, radiator and heater matrix... £2000 later it's now fine - but please take any cooling issues with this car VERY seriously particularly before putting it under heavy load (!)

The garage I took it to (who I trust implicitly) had 3 surfs in with exactly the same problem - the cylinder head cracks right down inside the casting and the resultant increase in pressure just blows water out everywhere... it's scary.

Incidentally - out of interest - is your Prado really really thirsty? I've been looking for official figures on consumption, but they're hard to come by - I reckon I'm getting about 20mpg out of mine (on a good day)