Engine Toyota 1AZ-FE

The 2.0-liter Toyota 1AZ-FE or 2.0 VVT-i engine was assembled by the company from 2000 to 2014 and installed on such well-known concern models as the Camry, RAV4, Ipsum and Avensis Verso. Most versions of the power unit were equipped with a VVT-i phase regulator on the intake shaft.

The AZ series also includes engines: 1AZ‑FSE, 2AZ‑FE, 2AZ‑FSE and 2AZ‑FXE.

In 2000, a 2.0-liter gasoline engine made its debut on the RAV4 crossover to replace the 3S-FE. This is an engine with an aluminum block, cast iron sleeves and an open cooling jacket, an aluminum 16-valve DOHC head without hydraulic lifters and a timing chain drive. Almost all engine modifications had an inlet phase regulator and a block of balancer shafts.

In 2006, in connection with the transition to Euro 4 environmental standards, this motor was modernized. In addition to the updated piston, an ETCS-i electric choke appeared (it was immediately on a number of markets), more modern sensors, a slightly different phase regulator, a generator already with an overrunning clutch, and a spacer in the cooling jacket to improve heat dissipation in the upper part of the cylinder. Like its counterparts in the series, this power unit received cylinder head bolts with a longer thread.

The engine was installed on:

• Toyota Avensis Verso 1 (XM20) in 2001 – 2009;
• Toyota Aurion 1 (XV40) in 2006 – 2009;
• Toyota Camry 5 (XV30) in 2001 – 2006; Camry 6 (XV40) in 2006 – 2012; Camry 7 (XV50) in 2012 – 2014;
• Toyota Ipsum 2 (XM20) in 2001 – 2009;
• Toyota RAV4 2 (XA20) in 2000 – 2005; RAV4 3 (XA30) in 2005 – 2010.

Specifications

Production years	2000-2014
Displacement, cc	1998
Fuel system	distributed injection
Power output, hp	134 – 152
Torque output, Nm	190 – 194
Cylinder block	aluminum R4
Block head	aluminum 16v
Cylinder bore, mm	86
Piston stroke, mm	86
Compression ratio	9.5 – 9.8
Features	DOHC, ETCS-i
Hydraulic lifters	no
Timing drive	chain
Phase regulator	VVT-i
Turbocharging	no
Recommended engine oil	0W-30, 5W-30
Engine oil capacity, liter	4.2
Fuel type	petrol
Euro standards	EURO 3/4
Fuel consumption, L/100 km (for Toyota RAV4 2003) — city — highway — combined	11.4 7.3 8.8
Engine lifespan, km	~400 000
Weight, kg	131

Disadvantages of the 1AZ-FE engine

• In the engines of the first years of production, cylinder head bolts with too short threads were used, which resulted in a breakdown of the gasket and the appearance of an emulsion in the expansion tank. In 2006, the manufacturer increased the length of the thread and the problem became less common.
• Oil consumption after 150,000 km of run is a characteristic feature of engines after 2006, probably due to the renewal of the piston using thin oil scraper rings.
• The single-row bush-roller chain of the AZ motor is more reliable than modern lamellar ones, but closer to 200,000 km of run it often needs to be replaced, usually together with a phase regulator.
• This power unit does not tolerate low-quality fuel and gets dirty pretty quickly from it. The search for the cause of floating engine speeds should start with cleaning the throttle, mass air flow sensor and injectors.
• The water pump and the overrunning clutch of the generator are also distinguished by a low resource here. And since there are no hydraulic lifters, every 100,000 km you need to adjust the valve clearance.