$250 TOYOTA 2JZ TEARDOWN! Unknown Condition Engine: Solid Builder? How'd We Do?

Today's teardown is just a little different. For one, this engine belongs to one of my employees. He bought it as a good basis to build a motor for his personal IS300. For two, this engine is absolutely in unknown condition. Because of this, and no warranties or guarantees, this engine was CHEAP. Just $250. Thats always a gamble, but the 2JZ in stock form is a relentlessly reliable engine, so the odds were stacked in our favor. I tear this engine all the way down, and get to see if this was a score or not.
Normally, the engines I teardown on the channel are for parts with known issues or known bad.
If you're new to the channel, my name is Eric and I own and run a full service auto salvage business called Importapart. If you're looking to buy parts you can visit www.Importapart.com and fill out the part request page if you don't see what you need, or you can shoot us an email at [e-mail].
Part of our model is parting out core or blown engines. A core engine by definition is a bad engine, or someones old engine that they have replaced. We cycle through hundreds of these every year and I teardown one on camera every week! There are over 80 teardowns on this channel, everything from Viper engines to a subaru boxer, Cummins to Duramax, and lots more.
As always, I appreciate all of the comments, feedback and even the criticism.
Catch you on the next one!
-Eric

[@matthewb8229]

got my beer, got my "I Do Cars" video, and my kids aren't bothering me right now. Is this Heaven? *automatic answer - this is Iowa.

[@riccocool]

Ankeny here

[@jakewebbyking]

Carlisle here

[@Iowa599]

What Cheer…(bfe)

[@brendanlorente1968]

Same here in Mesa arizona

[@dennisgoans701]

It's heaven

[@andycampbell6032]

Love seeing the hammer my son made for you being used. He's always like "look dad there's my hammer".

[@12345.......]

That is a cool hammer. I'm surprised he doesn't use it in every video. For a while there I thought he lost it.

[@andycampbell6032]

@@12345....... its an aluminum head so its relatively light. Sometimes you need something with a little more weight to it and im sure thats why its not used all the time.

[@mooredann69]

I was like. Hey is that, the kids hammer? Confirmed 👍

[@Large_Sarge]

This channel has taught me doing regular oil changes and proper oil level really matter if you want your engine to last. What a difference it makes.

[@afrozen10-02]

Oil starvation is the death knell of any engine. So many rotating parts that need proper lubrication to run.

[@joeygaskets7590]

And just cause your car is newer and lower miles does not mean you don’t need to check it. It’s a shame but some of these modern engines use as much oil as old high mileage engines..

[@felixrobitaille8170]

Except for the 2012-2015 Kia/Hyundai 2.0 and 2.4L. Whatever you do it will destroy itself

[@felixrobitaille8170]

@@joeygaskets7590 VW, brand new Jetta and the first thing they told you upon delivery is to buy oil because it is expected to burn a quarts in the first 3k miles. Like wtf

[@poptartmcjelly7054]

When i bought my car it was neglected, the engine bay had literal moss all over it and the oil was 45000 kilometers old. The gasoline engine clattered like an old diesel but still ran fine. I then changed all filters and filled it up on the cheapest fully synthetic oil i could find. It was 10W40 diesel engine oil, which means it has more detergents. After about 150 kilometers the engine became very quiet, as the lifters cleaned up and the diesel oil did its magic on the gunk. Just a couple weeks ago my neighbor was walking by while i was warming up my engine and complimented on how smoothly it was running. Moral of the story: just change your oil. The 5 liter jug of fully synthetic 10w40 cost me 25€ and 10€ for a MAHLE oil filter.

[@thomasemberson8021]

Hope every thing goes as planned with the addition. And I've got to say, beyond the new little bundle of you, we are all emmotionally invested in your employees car. Please show the progress of his build.

[@BDKennels]

My thoughts exactly.

[@Sakhmeov]

There's a reason that those journals looked so damn good, aside from someone doing their oil changes regularly. The 2JZ, whichever model, is both made of absolutely primo metal, and secondly the lubrication is as overengineered through and through as the stress components. That pan looked so pristine because even the goddamn filtering is top-notch.

[@somethingelsehere8089]

Whoever changed the timing belt previously used a torch to heat up the crank bolt. They were notoriously hard to remove. That's why the lower cover was melted.

[@hahaha12345678993]

sure but why go through all that trouble and reuse the burnt piece, just spent a few extra dollars and replace the burnt bit

[@shelvins1841]

Probably cooked the shit out of the damper too which is know to come apart at the rubber.

[@johnmoore8599]

Take care of your family. We'll still be here. I always look forward to your videos. You put out high quality content and it's always educational. You never fail to make me laugh. Thanks!

[@broberts1505]

Saturday night, get comfy, and let the teardown begin!! 2JZ was cool to see, and also good to occasionally see a healthy engine to remind us what they should look like inside!! Hope everything goes smoothly for you and the rest of the family the next few weeks.!!

[@twisted2291]

Love seeing the golden color inside the engine. It's a sign of good maintenance practices and good oil used. The VVT stuff on these are no longer an issue. Haltech has figured it out. And they have a place that makes custom cams for these engines.

[@jzxtrd337]

Its a on/off Solenoid, very simple stuff, the only issue is checking valve to piston clearance with aftermarket cams.

[@Sakhmeov]

There's a reason that those journals looked so damn good, aside from someone doing their oil changes regularly. The 2JZ, whichever model, is both made of absolutely primo metal, and secondly the lubrication is as overengineered through and through as the stress components. That pan looked so pristine because even the goddamn flow and filtering is top-notch.

[@TinHatRanch]

It’s always important to take care of your tool. Great advice.

[@pkt1213]

"Hey, did you pick up that 2J for me?" "Yeah. The block is over there and two safety totes full of the rest."

[@FrankyRedEyes]

Thx to your employee for providing tonight's teardown. And congrats on your new human. Thank you for your content!

[@DanMasters]

Yes, I love the sound of that breaker bar so much I bought one myself!

[@Lammergeier350]

These teardowns are entertaining, educational, and immensely helpful. Thank you for your regularity in posting and your sense of humor, and best of health to you and yours! Engine Requests: --Ford: 3.9 V8 (Thunderbird, Mark LT), 300 Inline-6 --GMC: Cadillac 8-6-4 (I know, good luck), Olds 5.7 Diesel (Could I get any worse? Or hard to find?), Buick 3800, Duramax LLY --Chrysler: 5.9 Hemi Magnum, 3.6 Pentastar, 1.4 FIRE --Honda: D Series, K Series

Don't know if it was ever put in a vehicle sold in the States, but I'd love to see a Honda K24 teardown.

[@quirble]

@ variants of it came in the CR-V and the Accord in the states, they're pretty common

[@unitedwestanddividedwefall3521]

Almost bought a 92 SC300 as a first car. I don’t regret not getting it only because the body and interior was beat. Drove it and it was fun. Awesome car when they were new.

[@JadXtreme]

Would love to see a showcase on this engine once your employee rebuilds it and sticks it in his vehicle with boost

[@localroger]

Seconding this!

[@Dave-id6sj]

Somebody loved that engine, it had good servicing, was put together well and generally looked after and not beaten on.

[@cloane85]

Do I like the sound of the breaker bar? You're god damn right I do. I love how you clip them all together as well. ASMR teardown

[@localcrew]

Congrats on the new kid. My number two felt pretty solid today too. 👍

[@MycontentisgoldJerryGold]

Your #2 kid? 😉

[@localcrew]

@@MycontentisgoldJerryGold “My number two, kid”.

[@nycad2484]

Now you gotta do a 2GRFE tear down, although you may have fun finding one.

[@dans_Learning_Curve]

That engine would match the milage of my '99 Camry. 430,000+ miles!

[@dnktng4722]

Steady camera shots, no music, the volume is steady, ... outstanding production. Comedic and informative discussion.

[@Oddman1980]

Never thought I'd see one of these on this channel, nice! I don't care what engine you do next, I'll watch. But I'd like to nominate a RWD Ford 3.7 V6 that was used in the Mustang and F150 in the early 2010's. It just now occours to me that your buddy who is building this engine will have a convenient video showing how everything looks when it's assembled.

[@robinpage2730]

"Don't worry, I'm saving every bit of hardware from this engine. All of it." Casually yeets the water pump across the shop.

[@jerrylong2226]

"yeets"???

[@NoahWL1]

@@jerrylong2226 YEET kzbin.info2Bjy5YQ5xPc

[@nicholasvinen]

@@jerrylong2226 it means throw, usually without great care.

[@carlonevs2137]

water pump is replaced with the timing belt...

[@richardkanady7466]

Love the channel, enjoy the tear downs with your twist on the commentary, very educational, congrats on your new bundle of joy forthcoming as well

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Now THIS is a real bulletproof Toyota engine 😎👌

[@GSC-Operator-chan]

What a coincidence, last month I bought a '02 GS300 from a local Copart yard. All it had was front-right colision damage but no one wanted it beacuse it had a biohazard sticker on it. Luckily I was able to go check it out, turns out it just had a few specks of blood on the steering wheel. Came time to bid and everyone else didnt want it, so I ended up grabbing it for $500. Absolute steal considering it ran fine after replacing the battery and a plug wire connector. Now its off at the body shop getting the unibody pulled back into position. So glad I got one before they became rare or expensive. Thanks for posting, keep at it!

[@martinhauser9241]

My Saturday is complete, I have been watching your tear down videos for a few months now. Great job on the video editing, and I hope you have more success on your channel

[@repairvehicle]

Even Toyota engines fail when not maintained. Awesome video

[@wantapgt]

This one is excellent though!

[@captainamericaamerica8090]

THEY CAN TAKE THE WORST ABUSE. AND KEEP GOING

[@Dis-Emboweled]

Amazingly I was wondering today if this channel would ever do a 2J..... And BOOM! Stars align and wishes are granted! Great teardown!

[@waiting4aliens]

Your friend scored a winner. Best of luck on the build. Thanks for the vid, get yourself some drip pans, mopping oil gets old.

[@Stealth86651]

Thanks for the effort/content, it's greatly appreciated.

[@Sw-so4zj]

Just a few years ago sold my 02 IS manual with this 2JZ not a ton of power but such a smooth power train. Consistent power down low but what a nice hum it made at 4-6k. I sold it local to the mechanic who did the maintenance. They always liked working on a clean car. I'll always miss that car. 90s Japanese bubble engineering at its finest.

[@simplybeanjelly]

Whoever owned the car that this engine came out of took amazing care of it. Looks like it was driven gently with regular oil changes. Very nice!

[@Hanky_Bannist8r]

I had an 01 Lexus Gs300. Electronically limited to 155mph and super comfortable. Great cars I'd definitely consider another one.

[@flyingporker100]

Now your employee has to put it all back together again... ("Boss! What do I do with this?") 😀 Good luck with your little addition. Two little people...

[@coldstne1]

Congrats on adding a little one to the pack! Thank you for all the tear downs and your vids are always welcome, especially the carnage ones!

[@samuelcrossland1101]

Yes, everyone here loves hearing bolts crack loose.

[@dragona33]

Hard to watch this without crying. I love these engines. Great vid.

[@GC_420]

Huzzah and Congrats on the new addition to your family!

[@babaganoosh555]

Wow what a score with that engine! And like you said, he got a free teardown too 👍 All the best with the family ❤

[@brianpatten]

Thanks for the video, first time seeing a 2JZ teardown! As for the time machine, I'm with you. Every day, the lyrics to 'Time Stand Still' make more and more sense.

[@Joe-kx7bl]

I just finished completely restoring a 2001 iS300 black with LSD. I looked at six of them and got lucky with a woman driven car that was really clean for being 21 years old. After purchase of 8k I put another 5k to make it perfect and another 3k for new paint and small amount of Body work. It’s fun to drive and I get a lot of complements in it

[@maxwedge5683]

Good luck with the new family member. The wife and I dropped off our youngest at college today. Seems like not long ago I was playing with my kids and now all four of them are out on their own. My advice is, if you want to take time off to be with your family, DO IT... the videos can wait. ( I hope you're putting away money for college because the cost is CRAZY!)

[@1993PontiacFirebird]

Another great video! If you could do the 90s Chevy LT1, I’d love to see that

[@jefftaylor1247]

Congratulations on the new arrival!

[@cambodianrefugee6305]

With so much experience with a plethora of engines, would live to see a video about your favorite pics fir longevity, dependability, serviceability etc...

[@JamesElterman]

Awesome! I've been waiting for the 2JZGE video. I just did the 100k service on mine so all of this was fresh in my mind.

[@fireblademan494]

Thanks' It's always interesting watching you pull these engines apart I'm watching from Queensland Australia. Wishing your wife/partner well and the little one comes into this world safe and well. 👍🍾

[@frankcastle9658]

Thank you man! I requested this engine a lot!

[@gapratt4955]

Congrats on the latest spawn. I will echo many others in the feed that seeing this engine when your employee gets done with it would be awesome.

[@nathanielriedy1975]

Arkansas here, man you should do a small airplane engine that would be amazing

[@justin.gollnick]

A radial engine would be wicked

[@dougrobinson8602]

They are way too expensive. If they're destroyed, they're probably part of an investigation, and if they're not, then they are extremely valuable as cores. I'm not saying they can't be found, they're just not easy to come by unless some viewer has one to donate. I've torn down many, so I'm not really interested unless it's an oddball.

[@suzi_mai]

@@justin.gollnick Bristol Hercules or P+W double wasp.

[@JimF-777]

Congrats on the family addition!

[@chuckz8053]

Best wishes for you and your family. I look forward to your Saturday night postings and sense of humor.

[@JermJermFlores]

Pulling my is300 for a refresh this helped alot

[@mrivantchernegovski3869]

Hey from New Zealand ,Im putting a rear/mid sump 2JZGE built bottom end with rods,pistons ,bearings etc and a VVTI 1JZGTE head and T6 Holden box in my 1989 Nissan C33 laural after a decade of killing RB motors ,cant beat them join em ,mates done the ex mani and waste gate mounts and exhaust ,Some china garret copy amd a link being NZ.Great channel and workshop that looks like my job

[@patrickmoodabe9728]

Wow - that looks like a really well made engine. Nice to see the good (& the bad). Would be great to see an engine build as well? Not always. Just occasionally. For the engines that are worthy of a rebuild. All good!!! Great video. & nice to see the old Milwaukee impact still going strong. Enjoy the family time - it’s a very special time. 👏👏🙏🙏

[@timbrown9731]

Yes the sound of a torqued bolt or torqued to yield bolt when un torqued sounds amazing!

[@jettaglsvr6]

Congrats Eric!

[@Gersberms]

That socket fit SO SMOOTH on that there puller. Great job :)

[@stephentreadwell8436]

Love your videos. Congratulations on the second baby!!

[@emerysmith6517]

I’d love to see a 1gr-fe engine tire down one of the newer ones from 5th Gen 4Runners. I own one and sitting at 200k miles. Oil change every 5k!

[@DDE_ADDICT]

when you crack the bolts it reminds me of getting my old back cracked at the chiropractor, that's why I love it.

[@31dknight]

Another great teardown video. Thanks

[@mridaho7871]

Congratulations on the soon to be addition to your family. I hope everything goes smoothly. I like your since of humor but especially the bent and broken parts.

[@stuffandjunkandthings364]

Keep us updated on the 2j build. Congrats on the kiddo!

[@karroome]

Congrats on the baby👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 God bless👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@Rnemhrd]

It's always nice when #2 is solid. No surprises when you release pressure.

[@MadcapMachinations]

Its so odd watching you disassemble an engine that was in remarkably good condition.

[@adamtrombino106]

Might've needed valve seals, but otherwise, well maintained. Great deal!

[@MR_One1999]

Befor I started watching this channel I never checked my oil lvl now I do it befor every start up wich already safed the engine in my 05 mustang gt. Thanks I do cars!

[@squatch422able]

Saturday night tradition. Love the content

[@prydin]

Perfect timing to mix in a good engine among all the blown up ones just before we got tired of Piston McNuggets. Love the channel!

[@bb3intheoc898]

It's nice to be back watching your Saturday night videos again. With the Motorsports and racing season in full effect I usually don't have any time for you or a lot of other things trying to catch up on racing highlights on Saturday nights but fortunately formula 1 in Indy car are both off this weekend it's nice to see you again.

[@miztatone918]

That's a healthy start to a build . That motor is in great condition

[@barrykennedy8760]

We like the reverse clicks for sure and the tool gravity

[@drewmurray2583]

That's awesome your employees can afford to do car projects also! Helping them a little here and there with stuff like that is one of the best things you can do for morale! 🙂

[@bobbg9041]

Yes free labor what a boss.

[@jeramiahgainey3177]

Another good video dude keep em coming.

[@marathoner43]

Congrats on the family addition. Just curious, do you folks ever get real old engines to tear down, ie, Packards or old Ford flatheads?

[@thomasfletcher4765]

I don't think he ever has . Oldest engine he tore down was an old school gm V8 ( 350 I think )

[@stephenw2992]

More of a specialised thing than mainstream wreckers parts. Try Iron Trap Garage or one of those channels.

[@thomasfletcher4765]

@@stephenw2992 another is redline rebuild , most of the engines are old school

[@Final_Boss_Racing]

So much for keeping the caps in order.

[@tedheierman1181]

This looks like a great core to start a new build!!!

[@biggyp808]

You could use a large kiddy pool to dismantle in. Put the whole works inside, stand and all. No need worry about mess on the floor

[@justsumguy2u]

I'm not surprised at all---this is what a properly maintained Toyota engine looks like after 150K.....and it's no doubt got another 150K left in it

[@prevost8686]

I was a Toyota Master Technician for many years. Many of Toyota’s engines were indeed bulletproof given the correct maintenance but they did build a few turds that no amount of proper care could overcome. Actually during the late 80s all the way through the 90s Honda took a lead over Toyota as far as solid vehicles. The best quality vehicle overall that Toyota ever made was the Corolla. Until recently they never had a generation of the Corolla that was plagued with problems. Sadly both Toyota and Honda have cut corners and slipped on quality to try to control the cost of their vehicles and neither offer a car that I would purchase. If gas prices didn’t matter to me I would buy a Tundra but that’s about it. Honda had nothing new that I would touch. The Toyota Company that I knew thirty years ago is dead and it’s not coming back.

[@justsumguy2u]

@@prevost8686 Well, Toyota did build one turd as far as Corollas go---the '98-'02 1zz engines had bad oil control rings, and burned quite a bit of oil (I had a '98, and found out too late). I do agree that new vehicle quality has slipped across the board. I still keep driving my '08 Yaris (built in Japan)...it's beat up, and the paint is falling off of it, but it still runs great

[@prevost8686]

@@justsumguy2u Oil consumption was an issue but if they were correctly repaired they’d run forever. The new Corollas/Camrys with CVT transmissions and DI set a new low for Toyota reliability. Remember this: CVT transmissions by their design are throwaway units and no manufacturer including Toyota and Honda can build one that’ll last. When they die it’s 7-10 grand to have a new unit installed.

[@justsumguy2u]

@@prevost8686 Absolutely agree about CVT transmissions---I refuse to own any vehicle that has one. If that means I'll only be able to drive old vehicles, so be it---I'll drive old vehicles.

[@AtMortenJ]

@@justsumguy2u i have a 3zz (the 1.6l version) and after i rebuilt it with the newer pistons it doesnt use oil anymore. It is also boosted lol

[@micahpotts6417]

Great Video’s! Enjoy the new baby. Congrats!

[@K1DWOLF]

Giving me hella confidence to rebuild mine

[@billbaber6653]

Don’t know much but like watching.

[@desdecardo]

Big congrats!!

[@airhogglider]

Hard working dude

[@cxbra]

The 2 piece oil pan is what makes the 2JZ (and motors like the K20/24). The inner oil pan works as a block girdle, making the block MUCH stronger than any block w/ a 1 piece oil pan.

[@matthewbanta3240]

What this channel has taught me is that once you remove the dipstick then the rest of the tear down is a snap

[@darrenvictoriathornhill1170]

Here in Australia we would install a speedi sleeve over the crank where the rear main seal runs. They work a treat. 👍🏻

[@84gssteve]

Now you are talking my language! These engines are $200 all day long at the PickNPull yards, as GS and IS300's are everywhere. Got mine last summer and rebuilt it for stock service in my originally 6-cylinder '59 Studebaker Lark. Did first start the other day and she fired right up and idled perfect. This is going to be a super fun daily driver with almost 3 times the stock power and dead reliable Toyota engineering.

[@JohnLee-vj9lh]

One of the best in-line 6’s ever made 2jz and the Barra in-line 6

[@minnystretch]

I know it would be hard to find but I think it would be great if you did a Ford 300 or AMC 242

[@KENNEY1023]

Great tear down

[@roxanneabbott8424]

Wow! Beautiful engine, lucky guy!!!

[@Elementaliti]

Oh lawd this is gonna be good. A $250 jackpot.

[@Nic1Moreno]

Congrats on your new addition , judging by your demeanor and humor your gonna do fine , take your time enjoy being a Dad ,there is no reason to worry we are all gonna be here

[@PariahGrimm]

Wow...I can see a reflection in those valves. I'd say super clean.

[@avl10043]

Really enjoy your channel and learned a lot. What I really enjoy most is my girls 14 and 15 yo want to watch and enjoy your break downs. I am so happy my girls took interest. Our girls live a great life. Our situation, Mom works nights. Me and the girls, often watch TV in our room waiting on mom to get home. Kids these days can often care less about anything motors, and for sure girls. But keep it up, my girls really enjoy and understand how Motors work from you channel, and how they fail. To the point they tell Mom to change her oil. Hay maybe my girls will be the next maker of a better engine, nobody ever thought about. Side note: Would really enjoy seeing a 455 EM / Pontic brake down. What would be even better one that was " BLOWN UP" by the driver.

[@michaelbritt7609]

2JZ, one of my favorite engines! Take care of your family