Well after only 165k I blew a ring on my rig. Oil is coming out the spark plug socket on the passenger side-closest to the cab cylinder. I'm really bummed. I figure there are three options before me.
1. Total rebuild (40+hr of labor)
2. New motor ($2200 liftetime Warrenty w/65k + 18hr worth of additional labor).
3. Newer vehicle

Can't even begin to do it myself in -8F degree weather, nor would I want to. I would have no problems putting in a new engine and dropping 2-3k, but I live well within the rust belt, so other problems are sure to surface with the body/other components.
I guess in the end this is just a rant. I really expected more mileage out of this thing considering how well I maintained it. Is there anything I could have done to prevent this? I don't tow or ask a lot from it. The truck gets driven regularly and does not sit for long periods of time. F$%k!!

Im guessing your at high altitude? did it ping, knock or detonate on you?

Not really, only approx 1700ft. The exhaust blew out at around the same time, so hard to tell. We use a lot of salt up here! The valves were knocking a little more noticeably for the past few months. Ahh, what do I know?

im guessing you had something in that cylinder or a detonation problem, could be due to bad gas, your in a cold area, alot of condensation in your gas tank maybe...its tough to see a Toyota die at such a young age... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

When you say the exhaust blew out as in backfire or as in from the salt i hate that they put on the ice... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shame.gif" alt="" />

Dang, that sucks. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" /> I really feel for ya bud.

This is the first T100 death (other than collisions that is) on the board since I've been here. I'm sure that doesn't make you feel better. The sentimental T100 owner in me says to get a replacement motor. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />

I am at 1500 ft in the NY southerntier and have as much salt as anyone. Don't have the way below zero temps though we do get to -10 occasionally. Doubt the salt issue was the culprit. If the motor blew out the exhaust at the same time the piston burped, could be a timing belt jump / backfire / detonation combination. And extreme cold does wonders for oil circulation upon first starting. Those temps actually require a block heater. Anyway, would bet on blown timing for the cause. If the truck has always been a salt truck, the sheet metal is probably on its way out if not already gone in places. Book on a 96 T around here is roughly 5-6 K for pristine condition. Choice is salvage parts or go to a rebuild ------ and is it worth it? eBay shopping has some nice T's for very reasonable prices. Got my 93 4x4, no rust, fully loaded for 3500........150k

One more NY thought. 96 and newer vehicles must pass emmissions testing. 95 and earlier do not. That's why both mine are / were 93's.

Thanks fellas. I have been coming to realize lately (before this) that the old girl was gett'n old, preparing myself for this. Just not quite this soon, and in such fashion.

Let me ask all of you this. Could oil coming out of the spark plug socket be caused by any other failure than blown rings (e.g. ruptured head gasket or valve seals)? I ask because there are 2 compression piston rings, and 2 other side rail piston rings that would have to be blown through for this to happen. No?

Additional info: Timing belt, valve cover gaskets , plugs wires, and rebuilt water pump replaced less than 15k

The muffler was lost due to rust, as far as I can tell. I cannot make the claim that there was a backfire.

the oil could be caused from a bad head gasket, but youd see water too...cant see that it would only leak from the oil galleries and not the coolant...you could always do a gasket if you had the means then do a compression check. Dont know how to easily check rings otherwise.... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Probably just a defective ring. It happens. I had a ring break in a low mileage 6 cyl Jeep this summer.

How is your oil pressure? Is it lower than normal? What does the spark plug look like in that cylinder? Is it peened.

It might be possible to just drop the pan, pull that piston, hone the cylinder, put a new set of rings on that piston and put er back together. Did that on a Mercedes. They are not supposed to crater either, but this one had only 117k. ( not mine)

If the compressions and oil consumption on the other cylinders are okay- no need to do a rebuild.
I can't remember what is under the pan on that truck, if you have acess to the pan.

If not, pulling the motor wil just add a few hours labor, to get to it.

Valve seals will only get a tiny amount of oil down in the cylinder. You will smoke on deceleration but not on acceleration. No water, not a bad head gasket or head. Bad oil ring, lots of oil will be pulled up into the cylinder. You will smoke on aceleration and decel. Oil rings are wipers more than sealers. Upper one mostly seals out compression leaks to the pan, lower one mostly wipes oil off the cylinder. Each does a little of the others job, but that is about it.Spring holds both in proper position.

If you have excessive oil actually spurting out of the cylinder, you may even have a cracked block. While it is possible to crack things w/o going through the water chamber areas, it is unlikely. Pull the pan, shine a light up the cylinder in question and see if you have verticle scratches in the cylinder. A scratch will allow all kinds of oil past the rings. I had an old chevy that busted a ring so badly you could hear it schreech while the motor was running. Took about 5 miles to blow it up after that.