Engine Overview and Common Failures
The weight of the 1ZZ-FE engine according to the catalog is 130 kg. The engine number 1ZZ-FE is located at the junction of the block and the gearbox. Oil consumption is a well-known problem with this engine and it can start at 50,000 km. The culprit is the pistons with thin oil control rings, which quickly clog up. In 2005, a new piston was introduced and with it the oil consumption occurs a little later. This problem is described in detail in Stepan Palyich's blog on the Drive 2 portal.
In this generation of engines, the manufacturer replaced the timing belt with a single-row chain, however, its lifespan turned out to be only slightly higher. It is not uncommon for the chain to stretch up to 150,000 km.
The aluminum engine block often leads to overheating and it is not only due to cooling. The reason lies in ring deposits and oil burning in the cylinders, which causes the cast iron sleeves to warp.
Due to ring deposits, the lubrication constantly mixes with fuel, losing its properties. Additionally, an inattentive owner may drive with a low oil level, causing the engine to seize.
There are also minor problems here: the rear power unit mount does not last long, the throttle or idle control valve often gets dirty and the engine speed fluctuates. There are no hydraulic compensators, so the valves need to be adjusted approximately every 100,000 km.