What rating would you give for reliability?

Rate your own truck, and you can provide reasons why.

My 2000 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 has 180k miles. Beginning at 70,000 and then sporadically throughout until reaching 180,000 miles on the odometer, it has required three Steering Pumps, two Mass Air Flow Sensors (possibly needing a third), and a “Water pump assy” (as it is written in my records), and it needed a camber adjustment which did correct the steering from veering to the right. The dealership replaced the MAF, spark plugs, and performed a fuel injection cleaning 25k miles ago, but my check engine light came on when it accumulated 180k miles. At a local Auto Zone, their OBD scanner detected codes P0300 (multiple cylinder misfires detected), and P0302 (Cylinder 2 Misfire) is depicted twice on their free printout sheet. The printout sheet lists the codes like this: P0300 multiple cylinder misfires detected, P0302 Cylinder 2 Misfire, P0302 Cylinder 2 Misfire; and it provides an automatic recommendation on the sheet for a MAF replacement, which if certain, would be the third MAF.

On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being the least reliable and 10 the most reliable, or you can select "decent enough;" how would you rate the reliability for this Toyota Tacoma from 70k to 180k miles?

Driving patterns: The motor designation is a 3RZ-fe and it was accelerated to its redline probably less than 6 times throughout my ownership. Over 180k miles, this Tacoma has been driven about 90% highway, 9% city and 1% off-road if that, total off-road miles were probably less than 100 miles. When off pavement driving did occur, it was upon logging roads, but it was never driven rapidly during these trips. Once, it was driven up a steep incline of likely a 6% grade on a trail that had medium round stones like in a small dried creek, and I would say that it was a “rough trail” that was similar to this type of terrain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jsk_uwSyhzM

This thread is not intended to brag (as some might believe), nor is it meant to be negative as others might presume. The reason I created the thread is because on youtube, there is an original owner of a 1998 4Runner, and with 400k miles on the odometer who said that he is on the same clutch, with one brake job, new catalytic converter, new generator, and one shock absorber change, so I was curious about my reliability. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeoN8Twy5e8

 

I gave my truck a 9. I know she is gonna be pissed with me now, and gonna act up

Edit: did not read post before posting. Amateur hour

I would still give it an 8 or 9. I drive a Chevy express for work. Talk about maintenance and repairs. Head gasket leaking, new ignition, new starter, door handles every 3-6 months. Tail and marker bulbs every 6 months. Two litres of oil between changes. One jug of antifreeze three times a year. The list goes on...

Not to mention the goddamn tick

 

ooooops, we were supposed to grade your truck. not our own

 

Haha I know right! But still, his doesn't seem all that bad.

 

You can grade your own, that would actually make more sense.

 

Thanks buddy, makes us feel a bit less retarded

 

3 steering pumps seems like a lot, but I don't know what you replaced the original with. So that could easily be "you bought the store brand instead of OEM".

Have you tried cleaning the MAFs instead of just replacing them? You state the dealer replaced the MAF, was that both times? Did they put in OEM or aftermarket?

I honestly wouldn't trust the "automatic recommendation" for what causing a misfire. I'm betting there's another issue causing it to throw those codes. I'm no expert, but it doesn't really make sense for a misfire on a single cylinder to be caused by a bad MAF... Wouldn't they all go?


Do some of your own research on the causes of P0302, before throwing yet another MAF in there...

Also, get your own OBDII scanner. I have a wireless one I got off Amazon (

for Android Phones ONLY - Wireless Bluetooth Diagnostic OBD2 Scanner Car Code Reader and Scan Tool for All 1996 & Newer Vehicles ELM327 Compatible OBDII

link), and it works great with the Torque app on my phone.

 

It does mention "P0300 multiple cylinder misfires detected". Plus he has had the MAF sensor replaced already. Maybe the question is, what causes misfires? And if the MAF needs to be replaced again, what is the root cause? Talk to a good Toyota mechanic, is my opinion. And I wouldn't take it to the dealership. I've had bad luck with them just throwing parts at a truck, and little to no diagnosing.

 

All parts were replaced with OEM Toyota parts at a nearby Toyota dealer.

They never told me that a MAF can be cleaned, so I just accepted what they said and paid the price. As for the misfires, I would need to talk to a technician to tell me how many failed parts can cause a misfire to occur before I could begin to speculate about an MAF; but because the OBD scanners are vague, it would require me to go back to the dealership anyway. If you are interested then I will update what happens this Monday. It averages 20 mpg on the highway.

Hopefully, the newer Tacoma is equipped with sensors that can follow a path of sensors which lead to the correct part failure.

 

Keep us posted for sure!

 

Mine is a ‘98 with 215k+. I’ve had to replace thermostat, radiator, valve cover gasket, spark plugs, and just replaced original drive belts. Only time it let me down was when my key wore out, and wouldn’t turn ignition. Rarely driven off-road and conservatively(rarely above 3k rpm).

 

I wish I could say that about mine

Lots of redline, high speed washboard, off-roading, and general farm abuse.

 

9 cause kings with 650lb coils and a 4 cylinder lift way more than kings 1 turn equals 1/2", so I'm at like 3 or so inches.

C.v. boots lasted 10k miles I think...

 

Umm, wrong thread?

 

I'm saying I gave my truck a 9 because my c.v boots are gone and I've slung all the grease out.....and with my c.v being at that angle I believe they are weaker

So therefore that's why my truck is a 9 out of 10.








Better?

 

In his defense, you worded your previous post very poorly to get that message across, lol.

 

Yes, actually your second post is a bit more explanatory.

But I digress. I never thought of suspension in longevity because it's a throw away part. Motor/tranny/fuel delivery system/sensors are all more geared (no pun intended) toward a permanent part, albeit they still fail after time.

And yes, modifying the suspension beyond its limits will certainly increase wear on CVs. That's a part of the TW constitution, isn't it?

I would still give your truck a 10 of 10. If you hadn't modded it, it probably wouldn't have problems. Mine currently needs valve adjustment and has a tick. Can't tell if it would have happened with all the mods (read weight) added.

 

My bad, I shall correct it

 

At least I wasn't alone in my train of thought

It seemed out of place, but I shouldn't have been as sarcastic as I was. I have a nasty little habit that I want to kick...

 

Doesn't sound that relaible to me... so many multiples of parts that rarely go bad is odd though.