The 3.0-liter Toyota 5L diesel engine was assembled at the company’s plant from 1994 to 2005 and put on HiAce minibuses, Hilux pickups or various modifications of the Dyna truck. Numerous clones of this power unit are still produced in a number of Asian countries.
Toyota 5L-E has been assembled since 1997 and is still installed on various minibuses and SUVs such as HiAce and Land Cruiser Prado. This engine differs from the Toyota 5L by the Denso electronically controlled high-pressure fuel pump.
L family: 2L, 2L-T, 2L-TE, 2L-THE, 3L, 5L, 5L-E.
Specifications
| Production years | since 1994 |
| Displacement, cc | 2986 |
| Fuel system | prechamber |
| Power output, hp | 89 – 97 (5L) 91 – 105 (5L-E) |
| Torque output, Nm | 191 (5L) 190 – 200 (5L-E) |
| Cylinder block | cast iron R4 |
| Block head | cast iron 8v |
| Cylinder bore, mm | 99.5 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 96 |
| Compression ratio | 22.2 |
| Features | SOHC |
| Hydraulic lifters | no |
| Timing drive | belt |
| Phase regulator | no |
| Turbocharging | no |
| Recommended engine oil | 5W-40 |
| Engine oil capacity, liter | 5.1 (5L) 5.7 (5L-E) |
| Fuel type | diesel |
| Euro standards | EURO 2 (5L) EURO 2/3 (5L-E) |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km (for Toyota Hilux 1999) — city — highway — combined |
12.5 8.1 9.6 |
| Engine lifespan, km | ~450 000 |
| Weight, kg | 240 |
The 5L engine was installed on:
- Toyota HiAce 4 (H100) in 1994 – 2004;
- Toyota Hilux 6 (N140) in 1997 – 2005;
- Toyota LC Prado 90 (J90) in 1996 – 2002.
The 5L-E engine was installed on:
- Toyota Fortuner 1 (AN50) in 2004 – 2015; Fortuner AN150 since 2015;
- Toyota HiAce 5 (H200) since 2004;
- Toyota Hilux 6 (N140) in 1997 – 2005;
- Toyota Kijang 4 (F60) in 1997 – 2007;
- Toyota LC Prado 90 (J90) in 1999 – 2002; LC Prado 120 (J120) in 2002 – 2009; LC Prado 150 (J150) in 2009.
Disadvantages of the 5L / 5L-E engine
- Atmospheric diesel engines of the L series are quite reliable, but they work noisily and with vibrations;
- Closer to 200 – 250 thousand kilometers, numerous lubricant leaks often appear;
- After 200 – 300 thousand kilometers, fuel injectors often require replacement;
- A broken timing belt is very dangerous for the engine: both the valves bend and the camshaft bursts;
- Since there are no hydraulic lifters here, the thermal clearances of the valves need to be adjusted;
- The weak points of such units also include a not very reliable water pump.
5L-E Diagnostic Trouble Codes
| DTC # | Item |
| 12 | Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction |
| 13 (2) | Engine Speed Sensor Circuit Malfunction |
| 14 (4) | Timing Control System Malfunction |
| 15 (4) | Throttle Motor Circuit Malfunction |
| 17 (1) | Interior IC Malfunction |
| 18 (5) | Spill Control Circuit Malfunction |
| 19 (1) | Accelerator Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction |
| 19 (2) | Accelerator Position Sensor Range / Performance Problem |
| 22 | Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Circuit Malfunction |
| 24 | Air Temperature Circuit Malfunction |
| 32 (1) | Injection Pump System Malfunction |
| 35 | Manifold Absolute Pressure / Barometric Pressure Circuit Malfunction |
| 39 (5) | Fuel Temperature Sensor Circuit Malfunction |
| 42 | Vehicle Speed Sensor Signal Circuit Malfunction |
| 51 | Stop Light Switch Circuit Malfunction |
Frequently asked questions about the Toyota 5L / 5L-E
How much power does the Toyota 5L / 5L-E make?
Power output of the Toyota 5L / 5L-E, hp: 89 - 97 (5L); 91 - 105 (5L-E). Torque, Nm: 191 (5L); 190 - 200 (5L-E).
How much oil does the Toyota 5L / 5L-E take and which one?
Engine oil capacity: 5.1 (5L); 5.7 (5L-E) liters. Recommended oil: 5W-40.
Does the Toyota 5L / 5L-E have a timing belt or chain?
The Toyota 5L / 5L-E uses a timing belt.
Is the Toyota 5L / 5L-E turbocharged?
No, the Toyota 5L / 5L-E is naturally aspirated.
Does the Toyota 5L / 5L-E need valve clearance adjustment?
Yes, there are no hydraulic lifters, so the valve clearances have to be checked and adjusted periodically.
How long does the Toyota 5L / 5L-E last?
The typical lifespan of the Toyota 5L / 5L-E is ~450 000 km with proper maintenance.
What is the fuel consumption of the Toyota 5L / 5L-E?
Toyota Hilux 1999: city 12.5, highway 8.1, combined 9.6 L/100 km.
What cars was the Toyota 5L / 5L-E installed on?
Toyota HiAce 4 (H100) in 1994 - 2004; Toyota Hilux 6 (N140) in 1997 - 2005; Toyota LC Prado 90 (J90) in 1996 - 2002.
What are the common problems of the Toyota 5L / 5L-E?
Atmospheric diesel engines of the L series are quite reliable, but they work noisily and with vibrations. Closer to 200 - 250 thousand kilometers, numerous lubricant leaks often appear. All known problems.
5L Engine is always breaking the timing belt, I don’t know what to do now