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The mystery of the fuel consumption of the 2AZ-FE engine: Do you know why it burns oil?
As automotive technology continues to develop today, Toyota's 2AZ-FE engine has become a worry for many car owners, especially when it comes to fuel consumption. This engine is mainly used in the Camry from 2007 to 2009 and the RAV4 from 2006 to 2009. Many car owners have reported excessive fuel consumption problems with this engine during driving. So, what are the unknown reasons behind this?
Basic structure of 2AZ-FE engine
2AZ-FE is an inline four-cylinder engine with a capacity of 2.4 liters (2,362cc). Its design uses an aluminum alloy engine block and cast iron cylinder liner, as well as advanced DOHC cylinder head technology. The engine has an inclined injection combustion chamber, an offset cylinder and crankshaft center, and a continuously variable intake valve timing system (VVT-i). Although these technologies improve engine efficiency, they cause some problems in durability.
The root cause of fuel consumption problems
According to reports from many car owners, the "oil burning" problem of the 2AZ-FE engine under certain driving conditions usually begins to appear after driving more than 45,000 miles (about 72,000 kilometers), especially after driving to 60,000 miles. to 75,000 miles (approximately 97,000 to 121,000 kilometers).
The oil burning mentioned this time mainly refers to the abnormal increase in fuel consumption of the engine during driving, and even up to 1 quart (946 ml) of engine oil may need to be replaced every 1,200 miles (approximately 1,931 kilometers). The problem prompted a class-action lawsuit and undermined many consumers' confidence in the engine.
Technical defects and design issues
Studies indicate that one of the main sources of the problem may be the design of the piston rings. If the piston rings are poorly designed, engine oil will enter the combustion chamber and eventually burn oil. In addition, problems caused by the head cover may also be an important factor in the increase in fuel consumption, especially since the aluminum alloy block of this engine is prone to thread wear near the rear three middle bolts.
Toyota’s response
To address this issue, Toyota issued a technical service bulletin (TSB #0094-11) in 2011. Although this did not reach the level of a recall, it provided owners with inspection and repair options. Subsequently, Toyota issued an extended warranty notice (ZE7) in 2015, specifically targeting related vehicles in North America to reduce consumer distress.
Consumer reaction
It is reported that nearly 1,715,200 affected vehicles have been included in the warranty enhancement program, which brings relief to many consumers.
However, despite Toyota's countermeasures, many consumers still have a greatly reduced trust in this engine and have expressed their hope for better after-sales service and solutions.
The situation in Japan and other regions
It is worth mentioning that Japan also launched a similar warranty campaign in 2014, which shows that Toyota attaches great importance to this issue. Unlike the North American market, this incident seems to have received less attention in Japan, which may be related to the cultural background and consumers' awareness of rights protection.
Conclusion
As the autonomous vehicle industry continues to develop, every engine that appears will always be accompanied by various problems and challenges. Although the oil burning problem of the 2AZ-FE engine can be corrected through technical means, the real root cause is still worth pondering. This incident tells us that while pursuing technological innovation, it is equally important to maintain durability and practicality. So, as consumers, should we have a deeper understanding and thinking about such complex technical issues?
