SOS ..... help !!!! Somebody Please !! Just got my first 4runner need vin # JT3GN86R010194832

I have no idea where to start or what has been done for required maintenance on this vehicle ; 2001 4Runner limited Automatic trans ...... 188K

 

Is there anything wrong with it or you just want a starting point to check things?

 

Pics would be good. And we'll go from there. I might know a few things about 3rd gens and a 3.4 engine.

 

Lee, right now she..... runs well !!!! However, I don't have any history on what's been replaced or serviced . So I'm trying to find out how the Vin # for my Baby can be used to find some records of repair or maintenance !!!! Again, thanks

 

You can likely go to a Toyota dealership to the service dept and ask if there's any records on that VIN. Keep in mind they would love to sell you tons of flushes and fluids and things, but here's a good place to start. Also have them give you a list of the recommended fluids for each thing below, so you can come back and get them if needed.

Check your oil, honestly, change your oil unless you're sure it's been recently done.
Check brake fluid level. Don't leave the cap open long, oxygen does like brake fluid and lines. Seal cap well when done.
Check power steering fluid. It should likely be red colored. If it's black, it likely needs to be replaced.
Check coolant levels and color/smell. It should not have much of a smell, and should be green or red, depending on what type of coolant. It shouldn't be a dark color likely.
Check your spark plugs if you are comfortable doing so. Consider replacement. If you replace, do the spark plug wires at the same time.
Check your serpentine and AC belts for cracks and dryrot. More than 3 cracks per inch of belt is a good sign to replace.
Check your air filter, this is an easy and cheap thing to replace. It's cheap and important to replace.
Check your cabin air filter if your vehicle has one, it probably does. It's probably somewhere behind the glove box. Replace it. It's cheap and lasts a long time.
Check your throttle body, and clean it with the appropriate stuff.

Check your brakes pads if you have disc brakes. Drums are probably fine.
Check tire wear / tread. Find the wear band and determine if these tires are good still.
Check under the frame for rusted spots, if they look suspect, get them to a shop and have someone patch it and paint it or undercoat it.

That's plenty to check up on and get you started.

 

Checklist stars ..... tomorrow !!!! Trans filter and fluid change, oil and filter change, hoses for leaks, rear end for oil service, and underside for suspension issues !!!!

 

Make sure you're comfortable doing this if you haven't done it before. You really want to make sure this is done right. There's a long theory from various mechanics that say if you haven't changed transmission fluid regularly or don't know if it has, might want to leave it alone. The reasoning behind this is that if the transmission has some debris in it, think like sand in sandpaper, that the clutch plates might have been worn down some. The grit in the fluid isn't really a good thing, but in some cases, is allowing the clutches to grip better. Replacing the fluid will leave the tranny with very slick and new fluid, and could in theory cause the clutches to slip instead of grab.

I'm sure there's many opinions on this one, but I did do a 60k mile service on my Silverado, and had a Torque Converter fail at 69k miles. That's a Chevy, this is a Toyota, and I have no proof of that being the cause. I'm just saying it might be worth trying to determine when that service was last done before doing it, just to make sure. If they kept up with it and it's current, I say do it. If they haven't or they don't know....I'd probably say don't do it. That's my opinion and nothing more.

 

Good point .... !!!!! I don't know the history on changes, but maybe I can see if the trans gasket looks like it was ever replaced ! The color of the fluid is slightly brownish .... what do you think ?????

 

Question : Can synthetic Trans fluid be mixed with normal fluid ??????

 

Does is have any transparency to it? Does it smell really bad?

The short is answer is I'd find a way to remove the old fluid without doing a power flush before I put in fresh. However, mixing, I really don't know.

 

It doesn't look all that clear, but I'll check to see if it has any odor or smell that may.... seem burnt !!!! I didn't plan on power flushing , just to drain the pan contents and replace the filter !!!!!

 

Gotcha. It probably needs it, just wanted to make sure you were aware of the possible complications. I don't need bad karma on my conscience I will say, however, that another poster on this site had some insightful things to say about Toyota's transmissions vs. my Chevy, and would likely lead me to believe it's worth doing.