Trucks recommendations? Or avoid?

[TC_outdoorsman]

I will be getting it fixed the way Buckmark describes. I am in no hurry but I will also be watching for the right Tundra to buy.
I have been looking at between 2005-2010. Which motor is better? I like the power of the 5.7L but I don't necessarily need that much power. I heard the 5.7L had some issues and the 4.7L is the better motor. What are your thoughts, does the 5.7L have issues that make it work getting the 4.7?

[skeeter 20i]

I think you will have better choices over the mountains. I have been looking for a truck since March the SE corner thinks their trucks are worth a lot more than kbb and nada that's for sure.

   Man that is no joke.  The prices these jokers are asking.....

Fix yours.  I fixed my 02 back in 09 and am still driving it today.  No payments and still runs great.  They all need a repair of some kind at some time. 

[coop2424]

I will be getting it fixed the way Buckmark describes. I am in no hurry but I will also be watching for the right Tundra to buy.
I have been looking at between 2005-2010. Which motor is better? I like the power of the 5.7L but I don't necessarily need that much power. I heard the 5.7L had some issues and the 4.7L is the better motor. What are your thoughts, does the 5.7L have issues that make it work getting the 4.7?

I have the 5.7 and have had it for 7 years with no issues at all.  Also had the older 4.7 before that.  I prefer the 5.7 for towing my trailer but other than that have no complaints with either.

[slowhand]

Common issues with the 5.7L
oil leak at timing cover (huge job)
oil leak at cam towers (both heads)
premature water pump failure
premature serp belt cracking (like really early)
secondary air injection issues (lots)
That's about it with the engine. There is a long list of issues with the truck itself

Common issues with the 4.7L
large oil leak requiring reseal of engine sub oil pan (huge job)
water pump leaks (water pump is driven By the timing belt ) 5+ hr job
secondary air injection issues (lots)
very solid engine. Only seen 3 fail in 15+ years as a Toyota Master Tech
also multiple small issues I have seen with the truck itself

Hope that helps. Any other Toyota questions, I'm Your guy.

[TC_outdoorsman]

thanks slowhand! how common are the issues? Would you say every truck will have them eventually or 10% of trucks? At how many miles? Do you recommend one motor over the other?

[slowhand]

Both are good motors.
I would say 5.7L for guys who plan to tow.
it's hit or miss on the issues. 10% is a good number.
More often on the first years of production. Yes, the never buy a new model or engine are true and always will be.
FYI on your Ford spark plug issue. make sure they are installing an insert not a heli coil.
The insert repair when done By a pro is a forever fix. I have done many over the years.
The heli coil is a poor man's 1/2 ass repair. don't do that

[TC_outdoorsman]

thanks for the tips slowhand! starting what year do you think they worked out the kinks with the 5.7?

[Alchase]

Common issues with the 5.7L
oil leak at timing cover (huge job)
oil leak at cam towers (both heads)
premature water pump failure
premature serp belt cracking (like really early)
secondary air injection issues (lots)
That's about it with the engine. There is a long list of issues with the truck itself

Common issues with the 4.7L
large oil leak requiring reseal of engine sub oil pan (huge job)
water pump leaks (water pump is driven By the timing belt ) 5+ hr job
secondary air injection issues (lots)
very solid engine. Only seen 3 fail in 15+ years as a Toyota Master Tech
also multiple small issues I have seen with the truck itself

Hope that helps. Any other Toyota questions, I'm Your guy.

4.7s are prone to engine slug blocking up the journals, burning out valve do to oil starving. I got 280k out of one and 230k out of the other before the same problem showed its head. Have seen others at 70k with the same problem.

[Buckmark]

Well is this not perfect timing, look what got towed into the shop yesterday a Ford V10 with a blown out spark plug on cylinder #4 
Pictures as follows
#1 - Truck
#2 - Cyl 4 coil missing from its correct location (you can see the coil above the crank vent hose and make out is broken mounting ear)
#3 - Cyl 4 spark plug hole minus a spark plug, note the part of the coil ear still bolted in place, (fuel injector unplugged so truck doe not become a carbbq)
#4 - The repair parts and tools, Coil, Spark plug, Rethreader/Reamer (i showed the 2 i have) and insert (note missing from photo are ratchet, extension, grease, loctite, shopvac, scan tool and technician as he is camera shy  )

[DRobnsn]

Ahhhhh yes, wish I could mimic the sound better with words. VROOOOMMMMM, BANG,BANG,BANG,BANG,BANG, WHAT WAS THAT!! 

Couple buddies of mine had it happen, one v10 the other was a 4.6. I still hear the sound in my head every time someone talks about it. Makes for a good chuckle, you know, cause FORD... 

[Curly]

What causes that to happen?  Just bad design? 

[Buckmark]

What causes that to happen?  Just bad design? 

In a nut shell yes, poor design. The head does not have enough threaded area for the plug and if the plug gets loose in anyway it wiggle and over time compromises what little area there is to the point it can no longer contain the spark plug and it blows out.
The majority of the failures but not all have been replaced spark plugs which i can only guess are not installed/torqued correctly or slathered with antisieze  but it can take some time to fail and i have also seen factory plugs that blew out so who knows....
Or as some one else said it is all that horse power coming out 

[skeeter 20i]

Mine went at 4am dropping down a hill headed to the boat launch.  Everyone was awake by the time I got to the bottom.  Loud is an understatement.

[Igottanewknee]

Buckmark,
On a side note, I asked about a tune up after blowing a plug out of my truck  ( repair was $375). They quoted me around  $700 ...
Does that sound right?
Bruce

[Buckmark]

Buckmark,
On a side note, I asked about a tune up after blowing a plug out of my truck  ( repair was $375). They quoted me around  $700 ...
Does that sound right?
Bruce

If it was 325 on top of the 375 then it sounds about right for the other 7 plugs and labor and if it included an air filter, fuel filter and pcv valve then it was a pretty good deal.