2nd Gen Doom…

I wanted to share this with everyone in the forum. This is my experience and I thought it worthy of it own thread.

This pertains to the mechanical side, engine issues and the likes associated with them. I’ve been wrenching since I was knee high to a grasshopper and consider myself fairly knowledgeable but I’m by no means an expert. I’m kinda old school and come from the era of gapping points with a matchbook, you older folks know what I’m talking about.

With my recent rebuild of my 3VZE engine in another thread, which I attempted most of the work myself except for the actual rebuilding, which I had a reputable shop do the bottom end, ordered new heads from LCE Engineering and all new parts, using Aisin and Denso everywhere I could and assembling everything myself. I’ve spent somewhere North of $6000 now.

I tried again last week to smog my truck, FAILED……good on the low side but high on the high side.

That was with the EGR delete and my valve train making some noise. When I put the valve shims/covers on the new heads I didn’t know about the valve shimming deal.

I decided again, but this time doing much research to take my 4Runner to another mechanic shop that is highly regarded.

I did so with the hopes that wherever I made any mistakes they could diagnose and fix.

I just picked it up and this was the outcome, they say I need put back all of the EGR I deleted and that I also need to shim all of the valves.

I asked them if I brought up all of the original EGR equipment and also supplied them with the shims needed if they could complete the work at whatever cost It may be.

So now the 4Runner will not idle when the AC is on and it’s missing at idle, hesitation on acceleration and the valve train is making considerable noise.

What they said, they can’t shim the valves because none of the technicians know how and it’s going to be very expensive, also I need to re-install all of the EGR and vacuum lines so that it can properly be diagnosed.


What I’m getting to here, is if you have little to no mechanical experience and your looking to buy a 2nd Gen 4Runner regardless of price @ 200,000 miles or more, even less be prepared to spend some serious money on parts and labor. The mechanics these days aren’t trained for these 30 year old 4Runner. If they can’t plug into your vehicle and a computer tells them what to fix, it isn’t going to be fixed, ours being the OBD1 makes it even worse when your looking at $100-$150 hour labor charge.

While I’m happy with the folks that worked on my 4Runner this last week, they were at least honest and didn’t charge me more than they quoted And they took the care to put it back together like I took it to them.. what sucks is the next generation mechanics rely on computers to tell them what to do. Old school has gone by the wayside and that’s where you are should you take one on.

I wish you all of you the best, I will motor on and try and figure mine out.

 

Yes. Old systems can be hard to work on. The computer controlled stuff has lots of sensors and gives lots of data.

In Nevada, do they not have a "vintage" car designation? Most states waive the emissions tests for cars older than 25 years. NC...I have 3 years and then I don't have to worry about emissions. Just safety equipment (brakes, air bag, etc).

 

I have a '94 4Runner with the 3VZE engine that I bought on a whim for $600 plus an 3VZE engine thrown in for good measure. I am not a mechanic, let's get that straight. I have a friend who does auto restoration and is retired from the Army as a master mechanic. He is certainly old school but he is willing to tackle this "project" and won't charge extra if I assist.
We shall see what happens.

 

Old guy myself… gone are the days you could flip the air cleaner lid, use most anybody’s replacement parts, manually advance the timing, up the idle screw, change the mixture screw, feeler gauge the lifters, add heavier oil, put in hotter plugs or throw in some motor honey without a check engine light scolding you. (Of course you were lucky to get 100k miles before a rebuild) I won’t even get into shackles, glass packs , cut outs, craigers, carb swaps, blue dots or dashboard trash bags. But what fun!

 

Yes? No? Maybe?

 

Sheesh, exactly how old are you?

Those weren't cool then and they aren't cool now.

 

You must be in Washoe or Clark county….you have my sympathy.

 

Thanks 2ndgen22re,

Yeah sadly in Clark which is slowly getting the Freedom Flush ;(. No sympathy needed I just want to warn anyone that is thinking about taking on a second Gen it could be a very expensive endeavor.

I was dealt another crushing blow today and this one really has me down. I went out for a quick grocery run and the check engine light has come back on…..I’m at a loss for words. Totally Crushed….

I think I’m going to try and sell it for whatever I can get. I had dreams of road tripping to so many places in her, now it’s forever a dream and time to move on I guess.

And Ironguy, I haven’t seen you update your progress but I wish you the best on your 4Runner. Take your time and having a master mechanic in your back pocket is probably a really good thing. I wish I had someone I could turn too.

And negusm, we have an exempt clause here for 25 years an older but the stipulation is you must pass smog once to get it then sign a mileage statement. Your limited to 5000 miles a year. I had that but Covid screwed me. I passed last year but could not get an appointment for my mileage statement in time. So now I have one month left and have to pass again to get it.

 

Well after all the struggle I sold her off to a new owner. Never found out why that check engine light wouldn’t go off, after replacing almost everything. I just gave up. Put her up on Craigslist for $4000 and she sold the next day for $3500.

Got a great deal on a 2002 one owner Chevy Tahoe 4x4, it’s like driving a couch on wheels. Crazy how much more room there is, and a huge power difference.

I’m keeping in touch with the new owner of my 4Runner, I gave him all the info I could and wished him the best. If he figures it out I may try and buy her back. Anyway just wanted to Thank all of you that tried to help, and the discussions. Wishing you all the best and take care.

bthp223.

 

Consider disconnecting battery for at least 30 minutes?

 

I've got 18k in my 90'...and there's still some bugs to work out. But hey, what compact 4x4 SUV can you get for that kind of dough that will give you 250k miles? BTW, try finding parts for a 2nd gen 2DOOR