Surf explosion

Is there any water in the oil? 3VZ-FE engine?

A warped head may not show significant water leak. Use a stopper type (sandwich) gasket on the rebuild, is recommended. Typically the leak occurs at the rear cylinder (closest to the firewall), on the drivers side (Left hand side, American).

Haven't seen any water in the oil. It's a KZN130 with 1KZ-TE engine.

Numbering from the front, water has been entering #2 cylinder only - evidence of slight gasket leak between #3 and 4

(Engine has taken 'an extra turn' to start for some weeks, accompanied by a jolt on firing up but no sign of higher water temp.)

Engine would run after explosion but with water shooting from the top of the rad to a height of about 6'.

Sounds like a major head gasket failure exposing the coolant to combustion pressures. The break in the head gasket might be just between the combustion chamber and a coolant passageway and not affecting oil passageways. That would explain extreme pressure in the cooling system, evidence of steam cleaning in the cylinder and no water in the oil. Definitely check for warpage both in the head and the block. Of course you'll change the oil while it's apart and you might want to change it again very quickly after it's back together and running. Main bearings and coolant don't mix well. Good luck. Al

Did you notice any water or white smoke coming from the exhaust?

I'm not too familiar with the 1KZ-TE, is that a Diesel engine?

There may have been exhaust emission but I didn't see it - it all happened in the space of less than a minute.

Engine: yep - 3.0 liter turbocharged diesel. Fitted from about 94-97 to the bigger-engined (KZN130) 'Surf' in Japan, Australia/NZ and 'Roadrunner' in the UK.

For sure the Diesel version never made it to North America. I've seen them in most parts of SE Asia. There was a 3.4L version that was in the mid-90s Land Cruisers. That was replaced with a 4.5L version in 2000.