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By Counterman
It’s a common comeback: a failed starter covered in oil. Let’s break down why replacing it alone won’t fix the issue and how to prevent it.
The starter converts electrical energy into mechanical rotation to crank the engine. It relies on clean, dry internal components for proper operation. Engine seals, like valve covers, cam seals, rear main seals and oil pans, are designed to keep oil contained. When these seals fail, oil can leak externally and contaminate components mounted below, including the starter.
In some vehicle layouts, a rear main seal leak can travel along the bellhousing and reach the starter, though that depends on how the engine and transmission are positioned.
An oil-soaked starter can suffer internal damage to brushes and electrical contacts, leading to slow crank, intermittent operation, or no crank at all. Oil also attracts dirt, accelerating wear.
Heat plays a role as well. On vehicles where the starter is located near the exhaust, oil contamination can bake onto the housing and internal components, forming a varnish or sludge. That buildup can increase electrical resistance and further degrade starter performance.
In real world situations, a technician may replace the starter, only to see the new one fail prematurely. That often results in warranty returns, but the real issue is the unresolved oil leak continuing to contaminate the replacement unit.
Verify the starter concern, then inspect for oil contamination. Check above the starter for leaks from valve covers, cam seals, or rear main seals. ASE diagnostic logic emphasizes fixing the root cause before replacing components. The correct repair may involve replacing the failed gasket or seal. If immediate repair isn’t practical,
link hidden, please login to view can be used to help restore seal condition and reduce leakage. To apply, add it to the engine oil, do not overfill, run the engine to circulate, then drive normally. Most leaks stop within a few days of operation. If the starter is oil-soaked, the leak is the problem. Fix it, or the failure will come back.
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By Counterman
Toyota made a name for itself in America by thinking small. At a time when American automakers were still clinging to V8 power, Toyota was quietly producing fuel-efficient compact cars and trucks powered by inline-fours. Beginning with the R series engine in the 1958 Toyopet Crown, the Japanese automaker would offer US drivers inline engines for the next 30 years before introducing its first V6 in the 1988 Camry. The VZ series sixes were soon followed by the first UZ series V8 with the debut of the 1990 Lexus LS400.
These early Toyota engine “families” are further identified by an alphanumeric code indicating the block’s generation, the engine family or series, and major features like fuel injection, turbocharging and valve angle. The leading number or numbers is a sequential accounting of each generation, followed by a letter (or pair of letters) assigned to the family, and finally, a suffix to highlight those variations in features. These family codes do not directly signify displacement, only the basic architecture of the block.
Over its 40-year run, the “R series” went through 22 generations, with the “final boss” being the ubiquitous 2.4L known as the 22R-E. Powering thousands of compact Hilux trucks and 4Runners along the way, it is still one of Toyota’s most beloved engines from the era. It was finally replaced by the RZ series in 1995, after the introduction of the Tacoma and T100 platforms. The 2RZ-FE was a 2.4L used in 4×2 Tacomas, while the larger 2.7L 3RZ-FE found a home under the hoods of 4×4 Tacomas, 4Runners and the midsize T100.
Toyota had helped popularize the compact pickup in America, but it soon found itself growing toward the lucrative full-size market. Thanks to a 3.4L 5VZ-FE engine available in the Tacoma and T100, Toyota finally had a V6 to help it move toward creating its biggest truck yet… the 2000 Tundra. This platform would be in direct competition with The Big Three, and required an optional V8 to compete effectively.
Using the aluminum Lexus 1UZ-FE engine as a starting point, the cast-iron 2UZ-FE was developed in Alabama specifically for the American market. At 4.7L, the four-cam, 32-valve engine proved capable, but was soon replaced by the UR series in two phases. The aluminum 5.7L 3UR-FE debuted in 2007, and remains the largest displacement Toyota V8 ever produced. By 2010, the smaller 4.6L 1UR-FE block had replaced the last of the UZ family engines. The 1GR-FE, a 4.0L V6, soldiered on between 2004-2015 as the “in-between” engine shared by both Tacoma and Tundra.
2021 would see the end of Toyota’s “growth” in the truck market. With the 2022 model year, the V8 quietly disappeared, leaving Toyota with a series of 4 and 6 cylinder engines featuring their “Dynamic Force” engine technologies. These turbocharged “I-FORCE” engines are (once again) a 2.4L in the Tacoma and a 3.4L in the Tundra, with hybrid versions of each engine receiving an “I-FORCE MAX” designation.
Thirty years on from the first Tacoma (and 20 since the Tundra), Toyota has returned to its beginnings. With small displacements, big efficiencies and a reputation for building reliable vehicles on a global scale, Toyota is still Moving Forward.
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By Counterman
Toyota made a name for itself in America by thinking small. At a time when American automakers were still clinging to V8 power, Toyota was quietly producing fuel-efficient compact cars and trucks powered by inline-fours. Beginning with the R series engine in the 1958 Toyopet Crown, the Japanese automaker would offer US drivers inline engines for the next 30 years before introducing its first V6 in the 1988 Camry. The VZ series sixes were soon followed by the first UZ series V8 with the debut of the 1990 Lexus LS400.
These early Toyota engine “families” are further identified by an alphanumeric code indicating the block’s generation, the engine family or series, and major features like fuel injection, turbocharging and valve angle. The leading number or numbers is a sequential accounting of each generation, followed by a letter (or pair of letters) assigned to the family, and finally, a suffix to highlight those variations in features. These family codes do not directly signify displacement, only the basic architecture of the block.
Over its 40-year run, the “R series” went through 22 generations, with the “final boss” being the ubiquitous 2.4L known as the 22R-E. Powering thousands of compact Hilux trucks and 4Runners along the way, it is still one of Toyota’s most beloved engines from the era. It was finally replaced by the RZ series in 1995, after the introduction of the Tacoma and T100 platforms. The 2RZ-FE was a 2.4L used in 4×2 Tacomas, while the larger 2.7L 3RZ-FE found a home under the hoods of 4×4 Tacomas, 4Runners and the midsize T100.
Toyota had helped popularize the compact pickup in America, but it soon found itself growing toward the lucrative full-size market. Thanks to a 3.4L 5VZ-FE engine available in the Tacoma and T100, Toyota finally had a V6 to help it move toward creating its biggest truck yet… the 2000 Tundra. This platform would be in direct competition with The Big Three, and required an optional V8 to compete effectively.
Using the aluminum Lexus 1UZ-FE engine as a starting point, the cast-iron 2UZ-FE was developed in Alabama specifically for the American market. At 4.7L, the four-cam, 32-valve engine proved capable, but was soon replaced by the UR series in two phases. The aluminum 5.7L 3UR-FE debuted in 2007, and remains the largest displacement Toyota V8 ever produced. By 2010, the smaller 4.6L 1UR-FE block had replaced the last of the UZ family engines. The 1GR-FE, a 4.0L V6, soldiered on between 2004-2015 as the “in-between” engine shared by both Tacoma and Tundra.
2021 would see the end of Toyota’s “growth” in the truck market. With the 2022 model year, the V8 quietly disappeared, leaving Toyota with a series of 4 and 6 cylinder engines featuring their “Dynamic Force” engine technologies. These turbocharged “I-FORCE” engines are (once again) a 2.4L in the Tacoma and a 3.4L in the Tundra, with hybrid versions of each engine receiving an “I-FORCE MAX” designation.
Thirty years on from the first Tacoma (and 20 since the Tundra), Toyota has returned to its beginnings. With small displacements, big efficiencies and a reputation for building reliable vehicles on a global scale, Toyota is still Moving Forward.
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By Counterman
Tri-State Enterprises announced its 2026 Big Money Show will take place April 25 at the Fort Worth Convention Center in historic downtown Fort Worth, Texas.
The annual Big Money Show unites
link hidden, please login to view customers and vendors from across the automotive hard parts, truck accessories and car audio markets. The one-day event will feature exclusive discounts, product showcases, and opportunities to connect and strengthen business relationships. Tri-State to spotlight new products and promotions
This year’s Big Money Show promises to be the largest yet. It will feature expanded product lines, promotional offers and substantial savings for attendees.
“The Big Money Show continues to be one of the most anticipated events in our industry,” said Scott Covelli, vice president of marketing at Tri-State Enterprises. “We’re excited to once again bring our customers and vendor partners together for a one-day selling show featuring exclusive discounts, prizes, and opportunities to strengthen partnerships.”
Fort Worth Convention Center to host 2026 event
The Fort Worth Convention Center offers a dynamic event space in a central downtown location, surrounded by dining and nightlife options. The venue will serve as the hub for Tri-State’s customers and vendors during the event.
Tri-State will announce additional details, including registration and hotel information, in the coming months.
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By Counterman
Mike Spagnola is passionate about ensuring that
link hidden, please login to view gives back to the community. He wants to help bring the next generation of students into the industry successfully. One way the association does this is through its scholarship program. The program gives out hundreds of thousands of dollars to students every single year, Spagnola said. “We offer a scholarship program for students. I’m really passionate about that. My ability to come through the automotive network really affords me the opportunity to give back now in so many ways.”
Creating Career Pathways Through Job Boards and Fairs
SEMA also operates a career center with a job board on its
link hidden, please login to view. Students can apply for jobs in the industry through this platform.
link hidden, please login to view also hosts career fairs at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California. At a recent event, the association welcomed over 300 engineering students from 30 colleges. These colleges included institutions from Colorado, California and Nevada, said Spagnola. “My big pitch, especially to the engineering crowd, is that you can go to work for Boeing or some of these other companies and you might work on a hinge for the next two years. Or, you can come to work for an automotive aftermarket manufacturer and be right in the thick of things, developing the next supercharger or the next water pump or the next whatever it might be. So, if you’re a car enthusiast or an engineering student, there’s no greater career than in the automotive industry. We spend a lot of time talking about that.”
To hear more from Spagnola, including his outlook for this year’s SEMA Show in November, be sure to watch the above video.
Episode Overview:
• Spagnola’s professional background of more than 40 years in the specialty auto parts industry (1:05).
• SEMA initiatives that actively give back to the community (5:08).
• How the “One Big Beautiful Bill” will benefit SEMA member companies (8:58).
• Spagnola’s outlook for the SEMA Show this year and its engagement among the professional community (19:05).
• Lightning Round (21:55).
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