180k truck, would like maintenance tips

just picked up a 2.4L, 2001, 5-speed, tacoma at auction...($2200), runs like a top, and want to do some timely maintenance. Changing the filters (maybe the fuel filter too), oil (fossil), sparkplugs, flushing the coolant, and checking all hoses, any more ideas? Got one thing I need help with.....cold it idles just fine, but after driving a while it will race a bit at idle (kinda like the engine is choking) and then will settle in at a mildly fast idle (no tach, sorry, my guess is 1400rpms)....any thoughts, haven't tried spraying down the hoses to find a hot vacuum leak, any help would be appreciated, thanks

 

Congrats on the Tacoma! I wish I could help with your questions but I'm not that mechanically inclined and I'd have to take it to an authorized Toyota shop and let them check it out.

Loved Kona when I was there a couple years ago, btw.

 

mrmanowar,

Not quite sure on the idle issue. But here are a few things that I would inspect on a 180K vehicle.

*Note: Much of this will depend on how the truck has been driven in the past.

CV Boots: Look for any slinging of grease as well as boot deterioration.

Motor Mounts: Inspect for wear and or cracks

Tie Rods: Inspect boots for cracking/dry rotting

Ball Joints: Inspect for cracking/dry rotting

Struts: Look for blown/leaking struts. Another place to focus on are the bump stops. These can deteriorate over time. Again...all depends on previous drivers.

Those are a few things that should get you started. If you notice that the boots are cracking, don't freak out. This is almost to be expected with high mileage. With the CV boots...sometimes it is just easier to replace the whole axle. If all the boots are bad, you might consider this.

Hope that helps,

Mike

 

Congrats on the Taco! And maybe try cleaning out the IAC? (Idle Air Control Valve) check all the vaccum lines.

 

A rough idle is usually solved by changing the plugs and wires. A new O2 sensor(s) wouldn't hurt either.

 

thanks for the help, will check the items mentioned, doing a bit at a time, got 3 months till it needs to be my only truck, so slow and steady. aloha from the 50th state, where almost every other car is a toyota.

 

Timming Belt. Should be changed every 100,000. check all ball joints etc. lube. check for rust and wear. open the hood and listen to the engine from a cold start. when you drive it leave window down no radio and listen for anything unusal.

 

roger on the belt, leaks and front-end, seems it was well cared for before, as for pics, will send some after the clean up is over, (so far, I have removed vinyl graphics form both sides and tailgate, compounded 3/4 of the truck, and sanded, primed, and painted the tailgate, moved my ladder rack over and vacuumed and shampooed the interior). I still need to replace the front bumper (slight ding, and bracket problem), and then it will be ready to use...... hoping to take this toy to 350k to recoup my investment. thanks for the hits....

 

just change oil regularly, check fluids. i got 01 tacoma 4x4 and its in the woods twice a month and it has over 180k miles. i just change oil and keep clean fluids....

 

call me crazy but i am pretty sure that 4 banger Tacoma's have a timing chain (rarely needs to be changed) and v6 Tacoma's have a belt. I know my 2.7L has a chain.

I would start with some bosh fusion plugs, change all fluids (rear diff, trans, engine, and radiator). Get the radiator coolant from toyota its a little more than prestone but its really good stuff. Oh and new wire set cant hurt either.