Cracked Appearance On Front Of New Engine

Hi Folks, I just got a new 4 Runner, TRD ORP. It is a fantastic vehicle in operational aspects. When I did my detailed overview of the engine, I noticed a significant amount of crack appearing marks on the front of the engine casing by the alternator. It almost looks like the engine front was dropped in boiling oil during the manufacturing process. The otherwise of the engine has similar markings. I hope that this is normal and part of the process of molding an aluminum block for this type of engine. Has anyone else observed this?

Thanks in advance

 

More luck with a answer if you upload a photo

 

Sounds pretty normal from the casting process.

 

Pics will certainly help.

 

Pics or it didn't happen.

Is this the engine block or timing chain cover?

 

As stated above, casting marks that cause zero functional issues beside looking out of place. My front cover is the exact same way.

 

Cracking of any kind of the aluminum is not normal for a new Toyota engine. We do need a picture to understand the situation better. I would suggest that it is possible (although not likely) that the detail guys in the make-ready department at your dealership could have sprayed some kind of surface cleaner on some of the engine compartment components (like Silkolene Pro Prep) to make it shine and that can occasionally crack with heat if it's applied too heavily. Upload a picture and we'll look at it.

Also, if you seriously think you have cracks - I'd strongly recommend that you get this documented at the dealership asap (ie now). Reminder, they work for you and your new ORP is under warranty - bumper to bumper - and that means every little thing. Don't be hesitant to play that card if you're uncomfortable with what you're seeing. The warranty cost is built into the cost of your new vehicle.

 

Will this photo work?

 

Normal casting marks, not cracks (well, there were cracks in the casting die). Nothing to be concerned about.

 

Sec

 

I believe those are called 'Turtle Cracks' and are not a defect of the engine part but cracks forming on the die that increases with the number of cycles placed on the casting die.

Nothing to be concerned about.

 

Thanks much. I am trying to learn the new aspects of this platform. My first 4 Runner.

 

Still. Toyota is better than this. Get some new dies. That looks like crap.

 

They are not going to throw away a die costing hundreds of thousands of dollars while it is still producing structurally sound blocks within dimensional tolerances just because of surface defects.

 

Plus the added costs of shutting down the foundry line, swapping out die(s), recalibrating the process and using valuable raw material to produce test pieces for inspection/certification. A surface 'defect' like this is just a blemish and has no bearing on the mechanical strength of the part.

You want the part to look pretty? Feel free to break out a Dremel!

 

They're not going to scrap dies before the end of the 5th gen run.

 

A single die probably doesn't last a whole model year, but I agree with the idea that they have criteria to identify the end of useful life.

 

Toyota has enjoyed a top-5 spot on the quality surveys for decades. That comes at an expense. Lots of expenses. Having a group of category-involved owners talking about worn, cracked dies... Meh, you're probably right. Only the owners and mechanics will see that - and we/they know.

But yeah, no reason now. I bet that those 6th gen castings are going to be beautiful! ;-)

 

Welcome. I’m afraid to look at my engine now. Once I see it, it can’t be unseen.

 

I thought they were called spider cracks.

 

Spider cracks denotes a small (tiny) crack within a given surface. In the OP's posted image the surface feature is actually raised, caused by the flow of molten aluminum into these cracks in the casting die itself.

Think of it this way, those raised surfaces are akin to 'flashing' on an injection molded part.

 

This is normal. Most all 4runners have this

 

That's the timing chain cover, doesn't take engine loads like the block and heads do.

 

I found a few other photos on various Toyota forums that discuss the same type of crack like markings on the same part of the engine/timing chain cover. I haven't found anyone discussing a failure as a result of these crack appearing marks. I got the 125K warranty, so I should be good for many years. Watch, frequent exam and hopefully all will be great.

 

The markings will cause no failure in the future. There is nothing to be worried about. Just enjoy the truck.

 

When they replaced mine i also panicked and tough it was a bad parts but its all good.

 

Yeah that "crackle" finish is common on aluminum die cast parts. It IS unnerving lol! Hey look, my engine is a fragmentation grenade!

 

Yepper, Just like the model car parts tress you had to get the part off of.