SOLVED! Post 2853 Leaking Injectors, Dealer Techs Rock! Extended Cranking after Engine Swap 3.4L 5vz

Fortunately I'm not quite that bad. At least not yet.

 

No way, never!!! Why not keep fixing this one? I don't like the new ones, I like this one!! Plus I can't afford a new one anyway - they are crazy overpriced and also too damn big!

 

where is the drip? changing a pinion seal is a NOT a big deal...nor axle seals.

Howard

 

You are so right!!! And have you looked at the 2016's? My god they are completely hidieous! I thought they should have retired the Tacoma name in '04 anyway! They changed so much and jumped up to midsize, they are a completely different vehicle...

 

This is what I wanna hear!! Go Hetkind!! You win the TW award of the day IMO!!! Whatever it needs, we can do this!! That's the attitude!

 

As far as the rear axle, Eric said he noticed a wet spot near the main seal, so he dried it then we drove it ~50 miles on some errands. He looked again after that and it was still dry. He changed that rear differential fluid early this summer, and we posted pics on here - that's the one that everyone was horrified by, because the fluid looked like chocolate milk. He checked the fluid level when he saw the wet spot this weekend and the level looked fine and the fluid looked normal (no choc milk look). He said there was a vacuum when he removed the plug, and said from reading, he thinks that means the seals are fine. Does that seem accurate TW?

We wouldn't taking any long trips or doing any rough driving in the Taco til next spring/summer anyway - just my vehicle to do in town driving through the fall/winter/early spring. About the hardest task the Taco might have in the next nine months is hauling small amounts of materials occasionally for rainy day indoor home improvements here and there. So, we are contemplating waiting til spring to deal with all of it (new LBJs, R & P, and the rear axle thing). But we could do some/all sooner if need be.

What do you guys think?

And a random easy question - how often does everyone change their Taco's engine oil? How do you keep track - spreadsheet, simple paper & pen, what's your system?

 

Here's the choc milk pic of the rear diff fluid from when he changed it in late May. Right after he posted this, he posted that he replaced the little "breather nipple" and hoped like hell that was where the water was coming in.

Not sure what all that means, I'm just hear to quote what others say and look for helpful advice

 

yes if there was a seal leak it wouldn't be able to hold vacuum or pressure

im sure we covered all this stuff in post #864577 of this thread but if it had a vacuum then your breather is clogged up, it shouldnt be holding vacuum so I suggest you do a breather mod front and rear, it only costs like $20 for everything you need for one axle and getting the breather up higher is best if you drive in or near water.

the axle shouldn't be holding pressure or be holding vacuum because the breather is a vent just to prevent this very thing from happening with the only exception of holding vacuum for a few minutes after just stopping while its still cooling off

 

I gotta do this breather mod.. I know there is a vacuum on my rear end. That just sounds wrong, regardless, I took out my locker actuator, to clean it and when I removed one of the bolts, I heard the hiss of vacuum. So on the list this project goes. Might as well swap out the fluids as well.

 

You said "there is a vacuum on my rear end."

Almost sig change worthy. Almost. Tough to top that taint comment. You seem to have a thing for discussing the gluteus maximus and related areas.

PS: Yeah, you go first and be the guinea pig on this mod for us K!!! Then you can tell us exactly what to do!! Better yet, we could do them at the same time!! When are you doing yours? Are you talking about on your '04 Taco?

 

I have no idea when this will happen. I'm thinking this will be a cold weather project. Most of the outside work around the house will be over until spring. I can work on inside projects...in my heated shop. Now that's a project I can get my head around

 

There's a sticky at the top for that mod...

 

I agree, the newer Tacos seem like a completely different vehicle. I admit, out of practicality, I am trying my hardest to retrain my brain to see positives in the newer Tacos, instead of a feeling of dread that buying one of those oversized, overpriced trucks may be our only logical choice someday. And it's working, but just a little. I am not hating them as much as I have in the past - but only when I compare them to something like a giant RAM or Ford truck. But when compared to a 1st gen Taco, I still STRONGLY prefer pretty much everything about the 1st gens, ESPECIALLY THE SMALL SIZE. But I figure someday, hopefully far in the future, we'll have to get another truck and accept that this one is finally really done. And if even the newest 1st gens (2004's) are 15-20 years old by the time that day comes, it will be tough to justify getting anything but an oversized, overpriced newer Taco. Why oh why can't Toyota make sweet looking compact trucks again????????????????????????? They obviously know how! If so many feel this way, then why not give the people what they want and sell even more trucks?!!?!??!?!? Seems like a win/win to me. Especially when they offer another truck in massive size (Tundra) for those that prefer that size. I just don't get it. Everywhere I go, I meet people that feel the same way - they like the smaller 1st gens better. Confused.

Bright side to all this? Although at times like this, it starts to feel like we may be facing a never ending stream of repair after repair, it is worth it to me and to Eric too. I plan to do my best to enjoy every moment of helping Eric repair my beloved 1st gen, and have a ton of confidence in his ability. He may not be a super experienced mechanic, but what he lacks in experience he makes up for by reading. And reading more. And more. And not being too proud to ask questions. And that will get ya everywhere with repairs. Especially when he's fueled by my obsessive research skills, and the TW crew helping us through every step of the way!!

PS: @koditten , that's it, rub it in about the heated shop......... Real nice buddy

 

Hee, hee.

 

OK, here's my garage idea.

All you TW peeps each bring some lumber and materials, then help us build it.

Who's with me here?

 

Wait, why do I hear crickets?

 

Still waiting for the big sign up to begin!!

You're all just busy at the moment I'm sure. When I log back on later today, there will probably be at least 50 people ready to do this. Right guys?

 

Holding my breath over here.

Not really. Heading to the park instead. Another beautiful day out there!!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xG7xFIGecQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NZWLWRJxFI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaQhKr6WhLk

 

this one takes you through it one step at a time and is more educational

(note - part one was the old garage being safely demo'd so I skipped that one)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_eWGRLm3qE