Misfire. Not spark plugs. Any ideas?

Been a lurker here for a while. Y'all taught me how to change my own oil and now I need input please.

Bought my 2014 4runner used in 2015. Was a dealership managers car and maintenance was complete. I've also used the dealer up through the 75k (?) check up, but started to do the basics myself because it took forever and they were really jerks about the 75k.

I'm at 95K (I do home health for a living, lots of city and country driving) and most recently began experiencing what I call "chugging" and I guess is also deemed misfiring. Especially when I just start it up.

Spark plugs were changed 2 weekends ago (dealership. my son took it while i was out of town), and though it is better, it still seems to skip? when I'm idling. what else might be going wrong? I appreciate any input, suggestions, or ideas.

 

You need to find out what cylinder is causing the misfire. Get a good scan tool and plug it in.
Fuel injector would cause misfire. $20 for one at Amazon.
Any outside mechanic (not the dealer) with good scan tools can locate the misfire.
Don't buy a real cheap one.

I bought a Creader 619 a few yeas ago- but haven't plugged it into 4runner.

LAUNCH CR619 ABS/SRS Scanner Automotive OBD2 Scanner Diagnostic Code Reader for All OBDII Cars to Check & Reset Engine ABS Airbag Warning Light Pass Emission Test

https://www.amazon.com/LAUNCH-Compu...reader+619&qid=1571755629&s=automotive&sr=1-2

Is this a V6 4runner? V8?

I have 150,000 miles on a 2005 SR5 and never had a check engine lite since I bought the car new for $42,000 (cash).

$95 BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro OBD2 Car Scan Tool and Code Reader - Check Engine Light Vehicle Scanner for iPhone & Android

https://www.amazon.com/BlueDriver-B...rds_browse-bin:2910135011&s=automotive&sr=1-1

I'm thinking the dealer knew your 2015 had an issue. Probably erased the codes. A good mechanic can tell if they did that to sell it easier.

 

Stick with the OEM brand plugs (but save $ by buying them from somewhere other than the dealer). The engines are designed around the subtleties of a particular plug and a different brand may not work as well (although, any brand will work in a pinch if you’re stuck at the only gas station in Whoknowswhere, NV).

Code reader is a good “first look” (whether you buy one for yourself or have the parts store check it for you). I bought a good one from Sears several years ago. Best $150 bucks I ever spent (it was actually free because of a $150 promo discount if I opened a store credit card and bought it with that). I’ve used it on 3 different vehicles and it’s identified bad O2 sensors, and malfunctioning smog components.

For your problem, one of the ignition coils (the gizmos that actually plug onto each spark plug) or their associated wiring could also be questionable.