Lexus/Toyota 2GR-FXE engine

The GR series, produced since 2003, today has more than half a dozen different engines, which very quickly and thoroughly replaced the inline sixes and V6s. GR-series is distinguished by the presence of aluminum cylinder blocks, the camber of which represents 60Gr in transverse and longitudinal installation. Each cylinder block has cast iron liners and cooling system jacket opening. Working volume is not lower than 2,5L, and in some it reaches 4L. These are standard “atmospherics”, where injection can be direct, indirect and combined, and fuel injectors are present in the manifolds and the cylinder head. The timing drive is represented by several chains, the valves of the drive have a hydrocompensator.

2GR with a volume of 3.5 liters were made for a set of Toyota, released in the period 2004-2016. Also it is this series of motors, completed cars Lotus Exige and Evora.

2GR-FXE with a volume of 3.5L was removed from the hybrid car Lexus RX45OH, it works on the Miller cycle, although it is based on the Atkinson cycle, but in its design it rather resembles a conventional engine, working on the Otto cycle. In practice, the actual compression ratio is much lower than the geometric compression ratio, which is 12.5:1. And in its analog, created under the direct injection system, this ratio is 13:1.

Simply put, at the moment of compression, the intake valve closes much later than the piston starts moving up from the level of minimum dead center. Which causes some of the gas mixture of gasoline vapor to be pushed into the intake manifold. Which helps increase engine efficiency by reducing intake losses and utilizing the expansion of the gas mixture more efficiently.

The cylinder block here is similar to the most common and conventional design, as are the connecting rods and crankshaft. The only difference is the presence of a “small sump”. But the heads of the half-blocks have their own differences, where each cylinder head has its own phasoregulator, and this is only on the intake camshafts, making a total of 4 phasoregulators.

Technical specifications of the Toyota 2GR-FXE 3.5 Hybrid engine

The Toyota 2GR-FXE engine is a 3.5-liter V6 hybrid engine that is used in various models of Toyota and Lexus vehicles. This powertrain is available in two modifications: distributed fuel injection and combined fuel injection.

Modification with distributed fuel injection

Modification with combined fuel injection

Car models equipped with the engine

Toyota 2GR-FXE engine was installed in the following car models:

• Toyota Highlander 2 (XU40): 2010 – 2013
• Toyota Highlander 3 (XU50): 2013 – 2016
• Toyota Crown Majesta 6 (S210): 2013 – 2018
• Lexus GS450h 4 (L10): 2012 – 2020
• Lexus RX450h 3 (AL10): 2009 – 2015

This powertrain combines reliability and efficiency, meeting modern environmental standards and offering high performance.

The Toyota GR engine and its reliability

This series is versatile. 4L motors complete pickup trucks and SUVs, 3.5L analogs are put on crossovers, sedans and minivans. 3.0 and 2.5 liters – on sedans Lexus and Toyota, where longitudinal layout is provided. The features of the 3.5 liter V6 modifications will be discussed below.

Sand and wear as a first cylinder problem

Motors 2GR-FE as soon as they appeared showed the following problem, which the manufacturer immediately corrected all those who had it during the warranty period. And they did not just rebuild the motor, but immediately replaced it with a new, more refined one.

Everything is simple. Auto brands Lexus GS III generation, with 450H and 300H, RX350 II generation and Highlander-2 were equipped with air filters with filtering layer made of paper on the production line.

As a result, the cover of this filter due to not tight fit forms a possibility of atmospheric air inflow in addition to the filter. And the gap is formed significant and large particles of sand get into the system with air. That leads to formation of hard oil-sand emulsion on the manifold.

Sand is sucked into the 1st cylinder, if the motor is located transversely, or into the 5th cylinder – if its location is longitudinal. Next, an interesting wear pattern occurs in the motor. There is grinding of the plate of one of the valves at the inlet, then there is a falling out of its seat. But before that, the piston of the first cylinder affected by this sand “rubs” the mirror of the cylinder itself, which forms scoring on the circumference and length. Hence, the level of compression created in the cylinder drops. And the ECU shows skips in the operation of the ignition system.

The inlet valve is changed to a more modernized one on the GS-3 (box 17700-31A80 for filter 17801-31110). The RX-2, like the Highlander-2, has the housing unchanged.

But car owners are not confused here too. The owners of the old modification, in which this defect of the filter cover is found, simply added a pressure ring, or applied sealant. Some replaced the box with a new, more modified one. So Lexus RX-2, as well as Highlander-2, will work fine with a modified box from the 3rd generation car. A complete repair kit, in this case, which will include the intake manifold and half of the housing, the manifold to the motor, and all the necessary fasteners for installation, will cost $550. On the other hand, all of this can be found at junkyards.

The air filter in the original with a synthetic filtering layer not only leaks air, but the very process of filtering it does not make it very well. That has been proven more than once in scientific research. It is better to immediately check and simply replace the synthetic filtering component with a paper analog and change it for a new one every 5 000 km of mileage.

Phase shifter lubrication system

Until 2008, 2RG engines had the ability to run oil to the phase shifters, but these systems quickly fell apart due to the failure of the rubber part of this tubing system. The rubber and metal components were replaced during the warranty period. And the recall campaign on this issue was held until 2013. Although from 2008 on the assembly line the system of oil supply to the phase shifters was no longer equipped with unreliable rubber adapters. They installed all-metal systems (15771-31010, 15772-31030). Today you can buy them for $25 and install them instead of the rubber-metal ones, if you still have them.

Oil Fogging

Another error on the 2GR side. Over time, it starts leaking oil in the area of the rubber seals on the valve cover. The repair is to replace the gasket (11214-31020) and plug wells (11193-70010), which can be done quickly, easily, and inexpensively. Only the transverse location of the engine will require removal of the intake manifold. After the replacement is completed, it is desirable between the timing cover of the drive and the cylinder head to go through the sealant.

In addition, all modifications of 2GR over time sin on oil leakage under the timing cover, more precisely at the junction of the cylinder head and cylinder block. That is quite noticeable. For example, with its transverse location, oil gets on the drive on the right side and splashes with the right wheel, leaving a characteristic pattern. To avoid this leak, this place is treated with sealant from the outside. But this does not save the leak for long.

Non-hybrid modifications of 2GR-FE have a double tube under the oil filter housing, connected to the cylinder block. The original version of it was made of a combination of rubber and metal, so it rubbed off and leaked over time. Today, an all-metal counterpart is available (15767-31020) and it costs $70.

Inlet manifold

The hybrid model 2GR-FXE was equipped with a passive intake manifold. And its usual analog had a servo damper installed in it. The latter changes the length of the intake manifold and works without any complaints.

Injectors

The 2GR series engine at mileage of 200,000 km or more shows some insecurity in starting, especially in summer at high air temperatures. The reason for this is leaking/leaking injectors. This can be detected by thorough diagnostics and control of the reduction rate in the intake manifold. The problem will be solved by replacing the leaking injector, or all of them at once, so that they do not leak anymore.

Pompa

In front of the timing chain is a casing with two pumps, represented by an external water and internal oil counterpart. The operating period is long and trouble-free. Replacement of the pump is best done on the original (16100-39455), which will cost 220$. Or on the analog, the choice of which should be very demanding. Otherwise, a trace of leaking oil may appear very quickly.

Thermostat

These indicators are set to a temperature not higher than 84®C. Hence its second name “Cold”.

G timing chain

The timing chain is represented by three roller configuration chains. The center chain tensioner has its own detent. The service life of the timing chain is from 400,000 kilometers of mileage. Very rarely there is a breakage of short chains driving the exhaust camshafts.

Phase shifters

Here problems arise. Over time, a rumbling noise appears at startup. Inside the clutches, the lock starts to pop out of its seating place, which does not affect the operation of the engine, but the sound of rattling is annoying.

On Lexus and Toyota it was noticed that some brands of oils, not original production, get rid of this sound. But it is only temporary.

If the double o-rings (11159-31010) located in the channels close to the rattling phase shifters are worn out, they should be replaced, which is best done each time the valve cover is removed. The important thing here is to clamp them properly with the cover screws.

Sometimes the rattling occurs when there is some misfiring and leads to clogging of the filters under the screws securing the oil carrying tubes to the phase shifters. It is mandatory to remove and clean the filters (15678-46020).

If there are real flaws in the phase change system and the ECU gives specific errors in the operation of camshafts (there is a lag) and recognized their incorrect location relative to the crankshaft, it may be necessary to replace the valves. Electrohydraulic actuated modifications (15330-31020) located in the valve cover can be purchased for $60.

In cases where the three phase-regulator screws are loosened, which can happen while the engine is running, they will fall apart and the engine will stall. Only a complete replacement will help.

GBTF

2GR-FE engines, it does not matter for Lexus or Toyota still sin falling out of valve seats in any cylinders. Not in all, but in many engines it occurs due to overheating. This can be remedied by regular radiator washing.

Cylinder block

There are usually no problems here unless there is wear and tear. They are not rebuilt, just replaced with new ones that are not hard to find. V6’s are popular.

Cylinder boring is not available for Toyota. It is easy to find good analogs on the market.

Piston rings when broken

Since 2010 2GR-FE, Highlander-2 or Lexus FX-2 components sin on the 1st or 5th cylinder side. Lexus GS often complains about the 5th. The reason is a breakaway of the partitions installed between the piston rings or the upper ring breaks. Can be broken groove on the side of the upper ring. This is caused by sand entering the engine bypassing the air filter. In damaged cylinders, a mixture of oil and sand is found, which causes the upper compression ring to literally eat the wall of the damaged cylinder. Due to different concentrations of sand in the oil, the damage is of varying degrees, but it still occurs and over time it takes out the entire engine. As such damage develops, the engine makes more noise and ignition misses become more frequent.

Significant oil consumption

Hybrid 2GR-FE with frequent short trips and regular “underheating” can “acquire” piston ring seizure. The solution is in cracking. But it is better to carry it out with the removal of the small pallet, otherwise the used remedy will remove the paint, which flakes into the oil.

Conclusion

3,5L V6 2GR-FE, like its hybrid modification, is reliable and relatively durable. About all the problems arising in it, you can learn quickly and solve them immediately. The main conditions for long-lasting operation from 400 000 km of mileage are good air filters and regular monitoring of their cleanliness.