4.6 Liter V8

Hello,

I am currently shopping for either a Tundra, Sequoia or Land Cruiser. I searched this forum and did not see an answer to this question - my apologies if I have missed it --

I'm interested to know about the reliability of the 4.6 liter V-8. I've previously owned a Tundra and Sequoia with the 5.7, so I know a little about it. However, I don't know much about the 4.6 engine.

I've read a lot on numerous forums that the previous 4.7-liter 2UZ-FE V8 engine was widely considered one of the greatest engines in the modern era.

I think what I'm really asking is whether I should be considering both engines (the 5.7 and the 4.6) equally when looking at various used vehicles. I don't plan on doing any heavy trailering so tow capacity is not a factor for me.

Thank you.

Chris

 

4.6 trucks will be cheaper. But nothing beats 5.7

 

Nothing beats it in what way? Reliability or power?

 

It depends on your power requirements. Reliability of both engines should be the same. Well, except for that troublesome "cam tower" oil leak that seems to affect 5.7Ls exclusively. That issue results from a consistent assembly screwup, and I can't understand why 4.6L engines are apparently not affected.

The 4.6L and the 5.7L are essentially the same engine mechanically; think of the 5.7L as a stroked version of the 4.6L. If you need 71 more horses for your tasks/requirements, like frequent heavy towing, then 5.7L may be a better choice for you. Neither will be frugal with your gasoline money, but the 5.7L slightly less so.

 

Both

 

Welcome from WI, Chris. My dad has the 4.6 in his '14 SR5 and is approaching 190,000 miles with zero issues. With regular maintenance it's been extremely reliable. It's been put thru several 1200 mile non stop trips to CO, countless 650 mile non stop trips to PA, lots of 4wd use, extreme heat and cold with nary a hiccup. The fuel mileage is slightly better than my 5.7 but it's negligible. The only difference I've noticed is that it lacks a little bit of power and torque compared to the 5.7 but it's really only been noticeable when we're in the hills or bucking a headwind on the highway.

 

Thank you, @JohnLakeman. I no longer am trailering my 6,000# pound travel trailer. This will simply be transportation from Point A to Point B. I therefore don't need the power and I really don't care too much about the lack of MPG's (I've been through all of that already with previous Tundras and Sequoias). So you are suggesting both engines are "good". As @14CRWMX pointed out, when looking online, the smaller engined trucks seem to be less expensive. That would mean to me to look at each of them equally (except cost) and don't rule out one truck simply because it has the 4.6 . Did I get that right?

Thanks for both of your input!

 

Hi @duece292 . I lived most of my life in Appleton. You're about to be clobbered by a big winter storm, according to some of my friends up there....

Thanks for your feedback. I just don't know much about the 4.6. Sounds like it is as reliable as the 5.7 and may have the added benefit of not being subject to the dreaded cam tower oil leak of the 5.7's.

Chris

 

If you're a sedate old guy like me, you'll be happy with the 4.6L. At worst, I get about 15 mpg in mixed highway and city driving. Mine won't get much better MPG if you baby it, and it's never been worse.

I've been driving Toyotas since 1986. I EXPECT this truck to be reliable. Consumer Reports agrees, and owner experience here seems to confirm that.

Be aware that 4WD also runs the price up, as does the CrewMax Cab. Fit your truck to your needs.

 

There are reports of the 4.6 having the leak also. Not as many, but there are also a lot fewer 4.6s in circulation.

 

It's interesting you say that. My previous Tundra was a CrewMax which I liked. However, I needed to regularly carry passengers in the back seat. I don't need that anymore and will be looking for a DC instead (gives me more room to put stuff in the bed). I don't need or want 4WD anymore as I live in Florida and don't have the need for it. 2WD is a lot more common down here than I would have imagined. I know I will have a bit more difficulty selling a 2WD if and when that time comes, but I'm willing to deal with that.

Thanks again!

 

It would be logical if the 4.6L is made in the same plant. Both the 5.7L and 4.6L may not be assembled exclusively on the same production line, and victimized by the same sealant robot. I can't believe Toyota wouldn't diagnose the problem and replace the entire robot if necessary to save the warranty expense.

Good point that there are fewer of them. I'll be keeping an eye on mine.

 

I have the 4.6L in my 2015 DC SR and have had no issues at 118K on it . I have changed the oil regularly and put tires and break pads on it at 80K thats it !
If your towing needs are good with the 4.6L you will love it . I get 16MPG HWY driving 75-80 MPH . When i was looking for a new Tundra i could not pass on the deal for the 4.6L , it met my 4wheeler /trailer towing needs and i could not be happier !

 

You won't have any issues with the 4.6. They are the same, just the 5.7 has a longer stroke. IIRC, the 4.6 has more torque than the older 4.7. I run the 4.6 (many of us do) and I'm running a 3 inch lift with 34's. The Toyotas have a delayed response in the gas pedal but you can take care of that with a Pedal Commander (many of us run those too).

 

Here's just tidbits on wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_UR_engine#1UR-FE

But from this I would take the list of vehicles using the 4.6 and then look then up on the Consumer reports annual april auto ratings issue. They may not break things down by the engine choices yet if you select vehicles that Only used the 4.6 you can get a better real world (lots of user info submissions) feel for it.

Like others, I've never heard of any common or repeated problems with it, I'm certain is Great, I mean they use it on the flagship line, Lexus.

When I shopped for my sequoia, the only really inexpensive ones were the 4.6 models, some by 10+ K less than the same model w/the 5.7.

I'd say find one and drive it - you'll probably decide right then which way to go.

Luck and enjoy the Toyota hunt! : ^ )))

 

If you are interested in fuel economy:

I own the 4.6 2wd and average 17mpg.

Dad owns the 5.7 4wd and averages 13-14mpg.

 

Ive had both. Honestly the 4.6 makes plenty of power. It can move the truck fine and tow whatever you want.

For me, the 4.10 gears were the worst part. They felt like it was lugging all the time compared to the 4.30 that the 5.7 gets

 

Does the 4.6L have the air injection pumps go out like the 5.7 does?

 

The 5.7 for resale. Very few are looking for the smaller engine IMO

 

For the OP, the rear axle ratio is 3.91 on the 2017-2019 4.6L. I suspect that has been true since they stopped offering the tow package on the 4.6L. (2013?)

They must have tinkered with the A760 shift points when they went with the 3.91 axle. If I have a complaint, it's that the transmission will downshift prematurely on hills, resulting in some annoying hunting approaching the crest. Since the engine doesn't seem to be struggling at all, I would prefer the transmission hold the downshift, and make the engine "gut it out" a little longer to minimize unnecessary shifting.

 

The cam towers affect the 4.6 too. I just did a reseal on one 2 weeks ago at work.

reliability is damn near identical. It’s the same engine block and heads. Just internally smaller displacement.
But both are from the UR family of engines

 

Yes but if I remember right they’re easier to replace

 

Even if the shift points are different, the gear ratios are still the same. If 4.88 gears had been available in 2010 i would have kept it. Hindsight is 2020 of course i wish i had held on for a few more years for gears to come out. 3.90 is way too high, what is toyota smokin

 

I'm certain YMWV yet my 15' 5.7 averages (real hand calculations) 16.3, yeah easy combined driving but I do travel at 70-75 on highways. Again YMWV....

 

I've been happy with my 4.6 2wd. Interstates I can break 20mpg, city is around 15, I've only towed once for a short distance but it did it. I don't work it hard like a lot of people, but appreciate the flexibility the truck and the 6.5ft bed gives me.

 

I bought a 4.6L since i got a very good deal on the truck. Comparable 5.7 truck was either a few thousand more or had way more miles. Very happy with the 4.6L but it doesn't have the surprising power of the 5.7 when you step on it. Plenty adequate though. I get 17mpg with it as well on stock wheels/tires.

 

Mine is on stock steel wheels from a 2017. I haven't been using LT tires on it. Last week I bought a set of Continental TerrainContact 265/70-18 since I wanted something slightly bigger but still P rated. I know LT is great but I don't see it doing me any good.