My 08 Hilux is currently sitting on 375000klm i have 3" straight pipe exhuast wheel size 32s no tune purchased full injector kit from you when the Hiliux was on 350000klm while replacing the injectors i got entire cabon clean on the intake elbow egr intake manifold including walnut blasting of the intake runners & valves, new SCV literally was night & day in power and throttle response amost like a new engine, fingers crossed🤞 the engine holds up for many more klms.Every day the thought of cracked pistons runs through my mind i even have my heaters on full in hopes it draws heat away from the engine, when driving long distances i drive at night when the air is much cooler 😂 i think i have gone mad.
Bought my KUN26R 3.0 1KD Hilux new in 11/2010, serviced at Toyota up to approximately 300,000kms. Continued regular service regime throughout its life up to now with frequent service intervals where I have just finally replaced the injectors at 510,000kms because I noticed a gradual rise in detonation whilst cold. Live in Victoria, good mix of highway and city driving with it being on the road as my daily. I cant fault the Hilux apart from having the worst braking system of any car I've owned in the last 40 years I've been on the road. If you look after your tools and machinery, they'll look after you.
My old man, 2009 120 series, never tuned on stock tyre size, cracked a piston. Injectors were replaced just 10,000km prior, towing a 900kg T-Van towards the end of a 4000km trip. Fixed it and flogged it at great loss. Now drives a MUX.
Thanks Peter. My Hilux (bought new and regularly serviced) with new injectors cracked a piston; while towing, Vic to Kimberley, at Highway speeds, well under GCM. Not fit for purpose. End of story. 3 years on, rebuilt engine from yourself running well. Not tuned, bigger exhaust & turbo to breathe better and pyrometer to monitor exhaust temperature. Hilux unbreakable my arse.
Nice ot see someone out there reinforcing the truth and the facts. Thanks mate. Im still wondering to this day when they will make an OE replacement aftermarket pistons and a better lasting alternative injector to hit the market for these engines They are great engines. Iron these bugs out and they would be extremely robust
I cracked a piston at 154000 km towing my van. Have waited 5 months for new long motor from Toyota, with Toyota warranting for a short motor. Whilst waiting I have done a lot of research & Have now fitted a EGT Gauge & 3 in exhaust, would be very wary towing over 2 tonne without this gauge. Unlike the newer motors The 1 kd doesnt have inbuilt exhaust temps sensor to send signal to the ecu to put it in limp mode if temps are too high & that in my opinion is when the piston cracks.
Couldnt agree more Peter. My new engine is 20k kms in and running like a dream. with new injectors, low kms and no tune Toyota still left me for dead. Thanks so much for your help and engine : )
Your right on the money. I’ve got a 2012 and cracked a piston at 110,000km. I blame the weight of my car which is 3450kg. When it cracked I was doing 120km/h and 35 degree day in the NT
Great video, love to hear your opinions & experience with Toyota engines. There is no substitute for experience in dealing with this stuff. I err on keeping tuning standard, keeping it "simple" avoids the pitfalls of engine failure on a non standard product unless it is really proven.
Interesting. I bought a 2014 3.0L GXL with just under 110,000Kms on it, about 6 month ago. Had an *immaculate* service record, all main dealer Toyota. Bloke I bought it from was towing his camper trailer up towards Kunnanurra where it lost power on the Gibb River Rd (I think). Cracked piston at ~105,000Kms. Had to get it flat-bedded back to Adelaide to be repaired which I'm sure cost a bomb and ruined his planned holiday. So they can definitely go bang before the injectors have done 170,000Kms.
Well said. An honest explanation on the "real reasons" as to why these engines do the things they do. These clowns out there claiming injectors injectors injectors at such and such intervals really need to wise up and stop making fools of them selves. 👍love ya work.
from observation, people overload their trailers/caravans and exceed towing capacity. Even if it is capable of towing 3500kg, running at that limit all the time will be detrimental to the engine/brakes and gearbox. It is not complicated, don't run/tow at capacity all the time, if you want longevity from your vehicle. But on the other hand it
Great vid. Maybe a vid for us that have these engines on how you recommend towing in relation to speeds and temps to try avoid this. I tow a camper and expect the Big Bang at any time. Appreciate the vids cheers
Hey Peter. Thanks for the videos and knowledge you share. I wouldn't be too concerned about the comments from 4bNoNut followers. I grabbed an old 1kd engine with cracked piston (stock no tune) and the injectors were fine. If my current high klm kd blows il have a spare engine ready to go. I'm thinking of going oversize pistons and maybe cut some relief valves or machining the bowl lip. Would this allow the heat to be less concentrated? Seems to be the go overseas have also seen some 4jj1 pistons modified and oil injectors modified to suit 1kd application and vice versa.
I love how Toyota owners live in denial. They are always very vocal about other brands but will never admit Toyotas have issues too. It’s always a non issue and just the cost of owning a “Toyota”. Oh what a feeling!🤪
Great video with real facts to back it up. What is really needed is an aftermarket piston less prone to cracking, though that may simply highlight the next weak point. I think you are spot on with the observation about the flow of money.
The question of remaps is one that opens a fair debate either way. I had my 4 pot CR diesel remapped (not a Toyota) - the result was LOWER EGTs everywhere, same fuel economy, no smoke, more power and torque. The Toyotas are blowing up with or without remaps, so logically the remaps can't be blamed, unless you had a total increase in blowups all of which were tuned. Difficult to make a conclusion. It would be interesting if your survey answers were plotted into Excel so it would be easy to compare things, like no tune but bigger tyres and towing, etc. This could reveal how soon yours will be dead, based on (say) your bigger tyres and your 3500kg van going up Toowoomba pass and cruising at 110kph everywhere else.
Hey mate I love your videos I get a lot out of them, is there any chance u can touch on running out of fuel? Is it true that it’s bad for the injectors, does it cause any problems? Anything you can do better if it’s does run out of fuel. Heard heaps of runours would be nice to get your opinion
Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge. I was lead to believe the euro 4 pistons were most prone to cracking. I currently have a euro 5 1kd. Do you think the problem is simply long towing rather than any specific piston?
Great video Peter d4d. Thanks for the information. I love data - "if you don't measure you can't manage" is my maxim. So that little survey you read out - 9 out of 23 said YES to tune/chip/remap. That's 40%. I have an unproved theory about Prado drivers that get a tune/chip or remap and that is they are more likely to drive their Prado harder/and or tow heavier. Thereby increasing the likelihood of overheating a piston. What do you think Peter? I have an '08 Prado 387k kms towing a 1900kg caravan. I tow in 4th (auto) and drive to keep the coolant temperature gauge
hey mate! great video! also have a question if you've ever come across a 05 hilux 3.0L where it will max boost out at 4.5psi. I've swapped in new MAF sensor, MAP sensor, MAP sensor filter, Turbo ECU, replaced all vacuum lines. had the vehicle in at toyota to have the stepper motor checked and was confirmed it was okay and have had the engine smoke tested for any boost leaks and found zip, have also had the intake off to clean aswell as the EGR valve. lastly have had the exhaust off to make sure its not blocked. im so stumped at what could be the issue, have had this ongoing for close to 6 months and driving me nuts! based in NT. cheers! any help is appreciated.
Peter, do you enter all your results in a spreadsheet? Excel can map all that data for you, far more accurately than just flipping through printed pages. Create fields for all your individual questions, ie, Tuned, kms, tyre diameter, emission controls tampered with😂( that'd be interesting) catch can fitted, and lastly, Towing. But you'd be wise to ask exactly what/ how heavy they are towing. Huge difference between 3.5 tonne and 1.5 tonne.
That is something I have realized with some of the other so called mechanics in Australia 🇦🇺 they get offended if anyone call them out on there BS especially mr 4bee4 knows it all joker I understand ,do the video on the cracked piston’s let the info talk 👍🏼
Great vid Peter, thanks! Is there any way of knowing the absolute percentage of remaps/tunes etc. including the engines you don't see? It would be interesting to know as you're only seeing the worst cases I think.
Thanks for the info on Prado cracked piston issue. I have just experienced this issue with our 2013 Prado D4D with 157746 Kms usage. The vehicle was remapped in 2015 and was used to tow a van a few times per year. Then no towing as we sold van. Recently had new T belt fitted ($1200 job with service). What I am interested in understanding is what is the best approach to address this issue with Toyota Australia? I dont want to waste hours with them if the answer is that they will not admit fault and replace at their expense. What might be your approach??
I just came across this video and found it very interesting. I have a 2012 1KD and tow. So far so good (touch wood) although it only has 100,000km on it. Joining the dots here what’s the best way to de-risk this? I note that many people don’t know the manual says to tow in S4 (not sure if that’s got anything to do with it, but it certainly keeps transmission temps down). I also usually tow at lower speeds, around 90 to 95, avoid mid summer and don’t try and force it up hills at full throttle. Should I also be watching exhaust gas temperatures? Keep them below {what value?} Would appreciate the perspective :-)
1st question is it always the same piston getting too hot and failing? And what are the new engines like have they fixed it? Suppose getting a egt gauge for towing would be well worth it keep and temps under 500-550c
Hi Peter, Is this still an issue for the newer D4D Prados? I have noticed mostly the 2010 to 2013 models are affected, would love to get your feedback. Contemplating selling my Prado for a new 2.8GD-6 or getting a newer 2019 / 2020 D4D 3L. Thank you for your straight feedback and awesome content!
I am sure paul got his info from FourBy4Diesel youtube channel.The owner of that has even made a video about you claiming you are spreading wrong information.
The EGR pipe wrapping around cylinder 1 inside the head casting is bizarre... I'd love to know more about that Peter. I have previously always left EGR systems alone, just regularly cleaned it, but figured the engine is designed to run with it so don't f***k with it. But it sounds like the EGR gets #1 piston bloody hot, and I wonder if this is the most common piston to fail? Leaving legality aside, would a blanking plate (with 7mm hole) in the EGR cool this issue down a little?
Seriously, mythbusters should do a show on Toyotas. The absolute crap you hear if anyone dare suggest their maz/for/isu/mits/LR is better than their Prado. But to the point. I had 09 Hilux and was not happy with the way the engine (110k kms) appeared to be pre igniting. Toyota said there was nothing wrong. The symptoms matched those experienced by your customers prior to holing or cracking a piston. I traded it in for a good price. Lots of people believe the myth.
Hello so is towing a small caravan with a 1KD Prado totally undoable? Or can it still be done safely just need to watch weights, amount of time towing etc?
Hi Peter if the problem for cracked pistons is known what can we do to reduce the chance of it happening to us, do we need to put a better cooling system, remove some of the useless systems that Toyota put on the engine??? Any help in this area would be good thanks Dean
I rekon put a massive front mount intercooler installed to keep those intake temps down, get your egr cleaned every 50,000kms or just plate it and get a custom exhaust with a high flow cat (or no cat😉) to keep the egts down. Peter’s videos in the past say that heat is the biggest contributor to cracks so that would be my recommendation to keep your 1KD happy
Don’t tow with it, especially big loads. Nothing to do with the cooling system. Toyota would have one of the best cooling systems hence why they handle the extreme Aussie temps. I’ve had 4 prado’s, 3 petrol and one diesel. I spent more on the diesel in two years than I spent in over ten on the petrols. Yes the petrol used more fuel, but we’re absolutely faultless. Until Toyota bring out another petrol I will never own another modern diesel vehicle. My Y62 might like a drink, but no more than a twin turbo diesel 200 series, but I’ve had zero issues with its engine, and goes extremely well
My 2012 has 190k on it, is stock standard, runs 9.5L/100km and has had an easy life. It shows no signs of problems, so should I replace my injectors or just drive it till it dies? If the injectors aren't solely to blame then it seems pointless to change them if there's no symptoms indicating they need to be changed.
Checking it with Toyota TechStream will tell you the condition of the injectors and if they may need replacing. But if the engine gets rattly or smoky then it's a good indication the injectors may be going out of spec.
I'm shocked, I thought Toyota's (especially Prado & Hilux) were the most reliable and long lasting vehicles out there.....I thought they could last at least 400k KMs before needing anything outside of the service handbook 🤦. Ps, if anyone out there wanting to sell me their Prado near the Perth to Bunbury areas pls let me know 🙂
our 1kd from a land cruiser 2004 cracked the piston at 710000km but spent its life with mild offroading and grandma driving. Completely dissapointed at toyota and i believe people are wrong to consider their cars the most reliable. Mercedes CDI engines from this era will take 2.5 bar and make 400hp reliably for million kilometers without touching a single bolt on the engine and this cheap isuzu copy needs new injectors every 170000 km to not break pistons in half?.
Hey mate. Great video. Very informative. It's great to get a different opinion, especially from someone that fixes the engines, and doesn't appear to be a Toyota fan boy!!! I am wondering if you are familiar of the RU-vid channel Fourby4diesel. The guys name is Anthony, he is a mechanic, and cannot praise 1kd prados and hiluxes more. Bullet proof cars, that never have issues and will go on forever. If you are familiar of him and his chanel, what is your thought?
100% true, Toyota definitely know the issue, they know of their current dpf issue too but won't admit them. Their cars used to be the best money could buy but lately the it profit are all made from cutting cost ending in lower quality cars.
I’ve always said it’s 💩 piston design from Toyota, towing heavy loads kill then. They run hotter than the Toyota gauge shows. We all know Toyota gauges don’t move once up to their operating temp, when they do move from the factory running temp by then it’s too late. People rave on about if you do the injectors it won’t happen, 🐂💩. As you have stated and got the stats to prove it, it can and will happen. If there was no issues with the piston than why redesign the the 2.8 piston. I’d take your professional opinion every day of the week than some one just posting on Facebook
Your right on the money. I’ve got a 2012 and cracked a piston at 110,000km. I blame the weight of my car which is 3450kg. When it cracked I was doing 120km/h and 35 degree day in the NT
