I think I’m killing my truck lol

Hello all!

So I have an 05 taco 4.0L v6 with 185k miles on it and recently its been having a little bit of problems...

It all started with a check engine light and it ended up being a cylinder 4 misfire. So I changed the spark plugs and it seemed to fix the problem for a while.

But now my check engine light comes on and then it goes away after a few days then comes back. The truck feels like its having a hard time starting and also the RPMs dont seem to be right at times when driving...my battery and alternator checked out to be good so im not sure what could be causing this check engine light to come and go.

Ive been pretty bad with the maitenance... basically just doing oil changes and thats pretty much it. I bought the truck with 85k miles and it now has 185k miles.

Anyone got any suggestions on what I should have done to her or what might be some of the problems im having?

I always take my truck to the dealership for oil changes.

Thanks everyone! Im not very mechanically inclined but this forum sure helps!

 

Ignition coil? idk maybe it went bad after all these years. Clean the maf sensor maybe someone else might know more than me

 

Ignition coil or the dreaded head gasket.

 

What code is it flagging?

 

The first gens have a similar issue and can be the catalytic converters are bad.

 

Head gasket is my thought, grab one of these

DEPSTECH USB Endoscope,2.0 MP IP67 Waterproof Borescope, Type-C Snake Inspection Camera with 6 Adjustable LED Lights (16.5ft)

endoscopes, take the spark plug out of the offending cylinder, and put the endoscope in and see if there's any coolant in there. If there is then head gasket needs to be replaced.

 

Go check your code history and come back and post the codes. Other wise it’s just a guessing game. Could be a hundred different things. If your MIL comes on and off you should have it in your history.

 

When my head gasket formed a pin hole it never made my check engine light to come on. I have no idea why it would. But a quick and easy check for head gasket is, Take your radiator cap off, Start the truck, Watch for bubbles in the radiator, Give it some time, No Bubbles after five minutes, No Issues. If you see bubbles that is exhaust gasses escaping thru the gasket. And you have issues.

 

Marshbuster. That is a great tip

 

Could be a leaking fuel injector if it is hard to start. I had a bad one on my old Ram that would make it hard to start and throw a cylinder 2 misfire code. I let it sit over night, then pulled a spark plug from cylinder 2, and it was covered in gas. The fuel had leaked from the bad injector. I replaced it and never had another issue. Might be worth a shot.

 

My old beater accord had issues like that, would misfire sporadically and then right itself. Took the cat off and changed the plugs and wires, that seemed to help

 

'05 with 185k. Check all of your vacuum hoses. One or two are cracked or split.

 

If it's a cat? Couldn't you check that by taking the temp of he exhaust before and after? If the cat is plugged or close to being plugged the exhaust temp is going to show temp ratings way off of each other before and after the cat, Wouldn't it?

 

If you're not mechanically minded then you either need to be, or be ready to pay someone money to do the work for you.

So which is it?