Toyota 3S-GE 2.0L Engine Specs, Problems, Reliability

Toyota 3S-GE 2.0L Engine Specs, Problems, Reliability. Toyota’s 3S-GE engine is a 2.0-liter inline-four cylinder, naturally aspirated gasoline engine, produced from 1984 to 2005. It is a high-performance NA variation out of the 3S engine series, jointly established with Yamaha’s engineers. This engine was utilized mainly in Toyota’s stylish designs such as the Toyota Celica, MR2, Camry/Vista Twin Webcam 2000, and Caldina Active Sports GT. The 3S-GE also laid in the basis of the turbocharged variation – 3S-GTE.

Table of Contents

The Toyota 3S-GE 2.0L Engine has five various generations.

All of them utilize a cast iron cylinder block and aluminum cylinder head. The engine block is geared up with a forged crankshaft, stabilized by eight weights, and lightweight aluminum pistons. The aluminum head has a cross-flow design – the consumption and exhaust ports are directed in opposite sides. There are four valves per cylinder (16 valves overall), no hydraulic lifters, and 2 belt-driven overhead camshafts. The spark plug lies in the center of the combustion chamber.

3S-GE Gen 1

The very first generation was produced from 1984 to 1989. It includes a 9.2:1 compression ratio and T-VIS (a variable consumption system developed by Toyota). The intake valve size is 33.5 mm (1.32 in); the exhaust valve diameter is 29.0 mm (1.14 in). The angle in between valves is 25 degree. In North America, this version was available only for the Celica GT-S (ST162) and produced 135 hp. On the Japanese market, the engine had another ECU settings and no EGR. JDM version riches 160 hp at 6,400 rpm and 137 lb-ft (186 Nm) of torque. This engine was used for the Camry V10/V20 Twin Webcam 2000, Corona T150.

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3S-GE Gen 2

The 2nd generation (1989-1993) has actually raised compression ratio approximately 10.0:1. It stays the same cylinder head design, valve angle, and intake/exhaust valve diameters. Camshafts specs: duration 244 degrees for both consumption and exhaust; intake/exhaust valve lift is 8.5 mm. Toyota changed the T-VIS system by the more effective ACIS (Acoustic Control Induction System). Gen 2 engines produce 156 hp at 6,600 rpm, and 137 lb-ft (186 Nm) of torque at 4,800 rpm.

3S-GE Gen 3

The third-gen 3S-GE was presented in 1993. It had a 10.3:1 compression ratio and brand-new cams. Really, there were two different sets of camshafts for manual and automated transmission applications. Engines, which choose automatic transmission, had the following camshaft specifications: duration 240/240 degree, valve lift 8.7/ 8.2 mm. For manual transmission applications, they were geared up with camshafts with 254/240 degree duration and 9.8/ 8.2 mm valve lift. The engine output is 180 hp at 7,000 rpm for the Japan market and 170 hp at 7,000 rpm for others due to more stringent emission requirements. The max torque is 140 lb-ft (191 Nm).

3S-GE Gen 4

The fourth generation, produced from 1997 to 1998, includes 2 variations referred to as ‘Red Top BEAMS’ and ‘Grey Top BEAMS’ 3S-GE engines. The 3S-GE Red Top was equipped with a new cylinder head with Toyota’s variable valve timing technology – VVT-i. The redesigned aluminum head has actually a decreased to 22.5-degree valve angle. The consumption valve diameter is 34.5 mm (1.36 in); the exhaust valve size is 29.5 mm (1.16 in). Engineers installed new camshafts also (248/248 degree period; valve lift is 8.56/ 8.31 mm). The compression ratio is 11.1:1. The 3S-GE Red Top delivers 200 hp at 7,000 rpm and 155 lb-ft (210 Nm) of torque at 6,000 rpm. For cars with an automated transmission, the power was decreased to 190 hp.

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The 3S-GE Grey Top has a black valve cover and it stays all internal components of the Red Top version. The main distinctions between the Red Top and Grey Top are the exhaust and the ECU.

3S-GE Gen 5

The final variation of the 3S-GE was released in 1998. The fifth generation, likewise known as Black Leading 3S-GE, got an electronic throttle body and variable consumption and exhaust valve timing – Dual VVT-i. The Black Top engine also was available in 2 different specification levels based on which transmission it was combined to. Variation for an automatic transmission is similar to the 3S-GE Gen 4 but with Dual VVT-i. This engine made 200 hp at 7,000 rpm and 160 lb-ft (216 Nm) at 4,800 rpm.

The MT variation has various camshafts with a more aggressive camera profile, titanium valves, 33mm buckets, and 11.5:1 compression ratio. It also has larger intake valves – diameter is 35 mm (1.38 in). It produced 210 hp at 7,600 rpm and 160 lb-ft (216 Nm) at 6,400 rpm.

Toyota 3S-GE 2.0L Engine Problems and Reliability

The 3S-GE engine is a good example of the famous Toyota’s reliability. It has simple a durable cast iron cylinder block and straight forward style for the Gen 1, 2, and 3. The majority of problems belong to VVT-i and Dual VVT-i system failures based on the last two generations. Another normal scenario for the 3S-GE engine is exhaust gas recirculation valve failure. Common symptoms of this are rough idle, power drop, and so on. The EGR valve problem takes place due to the aging procedure. With time, the valve clogs and needs cleansing.

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The most important, it is hard to discover a 3S-GE engine in great condition in our days. Existing ones have noticeable wear. And fairly fresh engines of the last generation were readily available in Japan just. It is likewise worth noting that for the most part this engine was used in stylish automobiles and was utilized properly (slam acceleration, high revs operation). All this is bad for durability.

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