Here's how the Toyota 3.0L V6 Engine Became a Success

In this video the 1MZ-FE 3.0L V6 engine is torn down and analyzed. This engine is known for its longevity, reliability and smooth operation, albeit a lack of power according to modern standards.

The 1MZ-FE engine was overbuilt for reliability and the ability to take forced induction from the available TRD Supercharger at the time. The 1MZ-FE was produced from 1994-2006, used in popular applications like the Toyota Avalon, Sienna, Highlander, Solara and Camry, as well as the Lexus ES300 and RX300. The engine in this video is from a 2003.5 Toyota Camry V6 with approximately 170,000km, in its latest revision with variable valve timing and a drive-by-wire throttle body, negating the presence of an EGR system.

In this teardown, we find the engine is comprised of a plastic intake manifold with an acoustic air induction system, metal valve covers, aluminum alloy heads, block and upper oil pan, in addition to the the stamped steel lower oil pan. It has dual overhead camshafts driven by a timing belt and variable valve timing on the intake side. The block has a semi-open deck design and cross-bolted main bearings for the crankshaft with two pairs of thrust bearings to ensure longevity, as well as a uniquely balanced crankshaft for smoothness. Some of the weaker spots on this engine included engine oil gelling due to an under-designed PCV system and long oil change intervals, valve cover leaks, faulty knock sensors and harnesses and a difficult to access power steering pump.

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[Ciruchan]

Our family car was a 95/96 lexus es300 with this engine. We stopped driving it regularly after the issue with steering made it a road hazard. I pretty much ran this car to the ground when I drove it (I was a bad owner and let it run dry on oil 2 years ago). It still starts and runs today by some miracle. I plan on pulling & rebuilding the engine and transmission, repent for my sins, and see how many more miles I can run the original engine on. This video helped a lot, thank you

[trendmassacre]

Nothing more satisfying than watching a good old fashion engine teardown while listening to the person doing the disassembling describe parts of said engine.

[johnp]

Great review of a great engine. I just might have the highest mileage version of this one still on the road in my 2000 Solara...622, 000 miles and still adding more daily. I picked the car up with 113, 000 miles from a coworker so I'm the second owner. I checked the compression recently and it ranged between 400 and 415 psi...right where it should be. I checked valve clearance fairly recently and it was also in spec. Still gets 25 mpg and is still running the original transmission. Amazing engine!

[oday]

I have this engine in my 2001 Avalon. Your video guided me through the timing belt, oil seal, timing belt tensioner and water pump replacement at 82K miles. The belt replacement went well except that I buggered a crankshaft oil seal - twice! Right now, I am at 112K miles, and the engine (and the car) runs perfectly.

[RexenPrime]

It was a shame to see an engine that was so clean and in good condition being taken apart. On the other hand, it was refreshing to see an engine that had been taken care of so well.

[GeneFever]

The 1MZ in my '97 Camry was a great engine. Changed oil myself regularly but had the dealer do the belt, pump and plugs around 150km. Ran it 'till 300km then moved on. I can't remember replacing any of the ancillary bits; alt, starter, rad, ps pump. Crazy good car all around.

[gbudning]

This is a phenomenal teardown video with clear explanations and no fluff. I will be showing it to my grade 8 students as part of our mechanical literacy unit. Thank you for this awesome resource!

[hernsg]

Excellent tear down. I've got this Engine on my 2005 Sportivo Camry. She's currently done around 258000 km's and still going strong. Currently in the shop getting new gaskets and water pump. I hope she hits a million. I'm probably dreaming.

[hayksamvelyan]

Amazing engine, thanks for the tear down! I have an early version from 98 without VVTi, with the waste spark system, and cable operated throttle. It’s currently at 306k miles, with the first 170k being under someone else’s ownership and being very neglected when I got it. I loved seeing you describe all the common issues as it’s so familiar.

[karolprzychodzki]

Love my '99 V6 Camry sound. I care as much as I can. Now 380kkm - no leaks, no bunig oil. A/T works great. But it starts to rust :( Thanks for all informative videos.

[everydaychris]

This is great! I literally just finished a lengthy timing belt/water pump/crank, cam seal with new plugs and oem coils on my mom-in-law’s ‘01 Avalon. They really are great engines.

[SentientOrang]

I've got its brother, the 3.3L V6 in an 04 Solara. Thing has 218k miles on it so far and I did nothing but oil change on it before driving from Wichita to Albuquerque and then Silver City, made it back and forth and driven over 2k miles in total. Drove 12 hours straight yet with occasional pedal to the metal, still remains responsive and smooth. I love the hell out of this thing

[thall]

I have a 1mzfe in my 2000 Avalon. It burnt an exhaust valve in cylinder 2 at 189k. I did a top end rebuild and replaced the valve along with a bunch of other parts and seals, and it's running perfectly again now at 217k. Great reliable engine, fairly easy to work on.

[RickTroutner]

I have an MZ in my 99' ES300. Since learning about its robustness I've put in the time to take care of it. I just did a timing belt/water pump job on it also replacing the cam and crank seals, I replaced the leaking power steering pump and pressure line which has pretty much stopped all of the leaks. I dealt with a burst coolant bypass hose last year where I replaced the knock sensors, fuel injector seals and the gaskets. Radiator hoses, Thermostat, radiator all replaced. Just finished putting some new spark plugs in it and I love how smooth it drives. A big shout-out to you and your channel which has given me the knowledge and confidence to even attempt alot of these repairs. The car has around 180k miles now I want to see how far I can take it. One of next repairs will be to attempt your AUX hack to connect my phone to the stereo which is the only feature I'd like to make it a modern car.

[johnkaranja]

I have same engine in a 2000 Avalon, 294, 000 miles. Drives like a dream. I change oil at 3000 miles or 5 months, whichever comes first. I wish I was as good as you are. I would take it all apart, clean, and rebuild. Good video.

[groundzero_-lmmd]

One thing all these engine teardowns have told me is that changing your oil regularly is very important.

[Nathandm]

2003 RX300 Here! Thanks for the complete teardown! Love this engine!

[TangoMike]

So happy to see this video! Just in the last month I bought a 230k mile 1996 Camry with this motor in it. I've been reading about it and preparing to do quite a bit of touching up to counter some of the neglect, but what amazing timing! So far it's an amazing car, even with it's issues. I can see myself having it for quite a while. Makes me proud to have it with that title!

[barryf]

I have a 2001 Toyota Solara V6 and it's a great engine. On mine, the oil filter is in the front which makes it a lot easier. I'm about to turn 280, 000 miles on it. So far, all I do is oil changes every 3 to 5, 000 miles on it (if I'm mostly freeway miles, it's 5, 000 miles) and change the spark plugs, timing belt and water pump every 100, 000 miles. My only other items replaced were brake pads and one time, the O2 sensor and the rear valve cover gasket was barely leaking but I could smell it on the exhaust manifold so it was replaced. The car doesn't burn or leak any oil other than the one time with the valve cover gasket. The transmission has been holding up fine.
This car may outlast me and I have no reason to replace it as it continues to be as reliable as it was when it was new.

[xuanzheng]

This is the most legendary closed deck v6 engine ever made, and I have owned 2 vehicles with it, 94 and 05 Camry, both ran to 400 k km with 0 issues