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Helping SIL with 3rd Gen

Discussion in 'New Member Introductions' started by azbob213, Dec 28, 2021.

  1. Dec 28, 2021 at 8:51 AM
    #1
    azbob213

    azbob213 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2021
    Member:
    #24839
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bob
    Vehicle:
    1997 4Runner, 2WD, Auto, 3.4
    None. Bone Stock
    Hello from Phoenix.

    My SIL has a '97 3rd Gen, 2WD, auto, 3.4, 198K miles he bought in January 2021. We replaced plugs and wires to clear misfire codes. It ran slightly rough, but fine. No codes. He overheated it in October (top of radiator cracked ultimately) so we replaced the radiator and thermostat, did a flush and fill and it ran cool and well. In the meantime, we had been replacing air intake/emissions stuff/sensors to clear codes it was throwing. Replaced fuel injectors. We got to the place where there were no code in November. We replaced all shocks, springs, struts (bye bye sag). It then started running rough at idle again. Started throwing fuel codes and a cylinder 4 misfire code. Replaced fuel filter, fuel pump. Bled all the air out of the fuel line, verified had good pressure to the engine from the new fuel pump, but the thing would not start. Got frustrated. Towed it to a indy nearby who told us the #4 cylinder was full of coolant and it need a new engine/rebuild they would gladly do for $12K.
    The thing isn't leaking coolant, only shows white exhaust at startup for only about two seconds, it runs at normal temp when driving, but it idles very rough and is now only throwing the #4 misfire code.
    I suppose our choices are:
    • rebuild
    • "new"used engine
    • sell it (no idea how to determine worth because I'm so new to Toyota)
    Anyone know of a good, warm-fuzzy feeling Toyota guy on the west side of Phoenix?
    Anyone have a good source for engines?

    Thank you.

    AZBob
     
  2. Dec 28, 2021 at 11:08 AM
    #2
    4scooter19

    4scooter19 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2019
    Member:
    #8920
    Messages:
    1,348
    Gender:
    Male
    Oregon
    Vehicle:
    98 and 86 4Runners
    12k to rebuild a 3.4 seems pretty insane. You can find remanned motors in 3-4k range online pretty easily. With the notorious longevity of the 3.4 I wouldn't be to worried about a junkyard motor either. Head gasket issues are not very common with the 3.4 and I would assume it happened when he over heated it.
     
    Bob likes this.

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