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2000 Tacoma Advice (Please help)

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Kreature9, Aug 30, 2022.

  1. Aug 30, 2022 at 2:02 PM
    #1
    Kreature9

    Kreature9 [OP] Member

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    Hey everyone,

    I've never posted here before but I have viewed the forums on a handful of occasions. I'm hoping to get some advice from all the knowledgeable folks here.

    I have a 2000 Toyota Tacoma 4Cyl., 2.7L, 4x4, 5-speed, extended cab. I purchased this truck brand new when I was 16 and have been the only driver since. (currently 115,000 miles).

    Recently, I've encountered some engine issues and I'm just unsure if its worth repairing or if I should finally say goodbye. Here is the codes/report I'm getting from Toyota:

    "FINDINGS: CODE: P0300 RANDOM MISFIRE AND VERIFIED MISFIRED #1,2 CYLINDER.
    -***FAILED VALVE CLEARANCE ALL 4 EXHAUST VALVE, ESPECIALLY #1,2 CYLINDER TOO BAD AND TOO TIGHT VALVE CLEARANCE, SO CAUSE OF MISFIRING #1,2 CYLINDER.
    -RECOMMEND TO DISASSEMBLE CYLINDER HEAD AND SEND OUT TO A MACHINE SHOP TO REPLACE VALVES AND INSPECT CYLINDER HEAD CONDITION. NEXT, TECH WILL RE-INSTALL CYLINDER HEAD WITH NEW GASKETS AND SEALS."

    Toyota has done tests by swapping fuel injectors, compression tests, leak down tests and vacuum pressure tests and they were recommending the repairs mentioned above. Now- of course Toyota wants some absurd amount (~$5,800).

    I've been referred to another mechanic who wants to come view my truck in person. He wants to see if its possible to fix or if the engine needs to be replaced entirely. Obviously the cost would be much cheaper than Toyota.

    I'm having a really difficult time figuring out if this is even worth it. If I had an account full of cash (which I don't) I'd repair it and just buy an extra car. I really don't want to give up on this truck (its been my baby). But each year, its constantly needing repairs (due to age).

    Could anyone possibly give me a ballpark on what this truck might be worth if I have to sell it as is assuming no other major issues? Would this truck be more valuable for resell if I fix it first? As you can probably tell, I'm really torn on what to do with it.

    Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Aug 30, 2022 at 2:21 PM
    #2
    tirediron

    tirediron Well-Known Member

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    Definitely get a second opinion. $5800 to R&R a head on a 4 cylinder seems criminal to me. I'm curious as to the "too tight valve clearance" diagnosis... seems odd for an old engine.
     
  3. Aug 30, 2022 at 2:22 PM
    #3
    0xDEADBEEF

    0xDEADBEEF Swaying to the Symphony of Destruction

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    Sounds like a burnt valve, which requires removing the head, having it machined and repaired, and reinstalled. They’re supposed to be adjusted every 50k or so, otherwise the valves don’t fully close and hot exhaust gases cause the exhaust valves to overheat.

    I did this myself a couple years ago, and it cost me $427 for the head work, and probably $400 or so in other parts. Labor is the real killer, but that quote sounds very high to me.


    @Das it mang had his done about the same time, but I don’t remember how much it sent him back, maybe he’ll chime in.


    It would be worth it to me to repair that.
     
    Yota X and Das it mang like this.
  4. Aug 30, 2022 at 2:27 PM
    #4
    0xDEADBEEF

    0xDEADBEEF Swaying to the Symphony of Destruction

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    Too tight refers to the clearance between the cam bucket shim on top of the valve and the cam at TDC. There is a certain amount of space required, and if it’s zero, then the cam is probably holding the valve open when it is supposed to be closed.
     
  5. Aug 30, 2022 at 2:29 PM
    #5
    Cland75

    Cland75 Well-Known Member

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    2 year ago prices vs today are almost 4x as high on average. Everything has gone crazy because people are not buying new an repairing their used cars so shops are A) Slammed with business B) Running into worker shortages C) Having issues with insane costs of parts for their machinery to make the repairs and its all getting dumped on the consumer
     
    ArizonaBrian likes this.
  6. Aug 30, 2022 at 2:41 PM
    #6
    Kreature9

    Kreature9 [OP] Member

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    Thanks man, I agree. $5,800 is a down payment on a new or used vehicle. I'm definitely getting a second opinion.

    Honestly I'm not even sure if the 50k adjustment was done. Wish I knew more about vehicles in general to ensure these things got done but here I am (lol). I'm hoping to get a new quote that's reasonable. Thanks for the input as well, I really appreciate it. I'll be sure to update this thread when I get new info.
     
    0xDEADBEEF[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. Aug 30, 2022 at 2:46 PM
    #7
    Cland75

    Cland75 Well-Known Member

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    The dealership is ALWAYS way to high! Maybe you can find a independent Toyota mechanic. It will not be AS expensive for sure!
     
  8. Aug 30, 2022 at 2:48 PM
    #8
    saint277

    saint277 Vigilo Confido

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    Pulling a head and sending it to a machine shop is not a hard job for any shop. Find a reputable private shop and have them do the work.
     
  9. Aug 30, 2022 at 2:53 PM
    #9
    0xDEADBEEF

    0xDEADBEEF Swaying to the Symphony of Destruction

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    Yeah it gets skipped a lot. I even asked the dealer to do it once and they told me it didn’t need to be done. Pretty sure they were confusing me with a later model truck.

    A good local shop should have no problem with this.
     
  10. Aug 30, 2022 at 2:53 PM
    #10
    Rusty Taco 11

    Rusty Taco 11 Well-Known Member

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    Especially with exhaust valves, the clearance can become tighter over time as the valves or valve seats wear down.
    When you hear that you would think that they would become “looser” or have more clearance with age.
    But what is actually happening is that there is less valve and less valve seat from wear. which causes the valve to actually become closer to the camshaft.
     
  11. Aug 30, 2022 at 3:06 PM
    #11
    Andy01DblCabTacoma

    Andy01DblCabTacoma Well-Known Member

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    Without knowing what other maintenance you've done to the truck over the years, it's worth mentioning that at 22 years old, many parts are or will be soon past their life expectancy. Pretty much any external rubber component (bushing, vacuum hose, etc) will be toast at this point. Most of us have gone through complete front end refreshes (upper and lower control arm bushings, upper and lower ball joints, steering rack bushings, sway bar end links, coil springs and shocks, etc).

    I say this, not to discourage you from keeping the truck (cause I think you SHOULD keep it), but just to give you a heads up.

    At an absolute minimum, your lower ball joints should be replaced if you either haven't, or it's been more 70k. The rest you can pick away at as funds allow.
     
    0xDEADBEEF likes this.
  12. Aug 30, 2022 at 3:21 PM
    #12
    Kreature9

    Kreature9 [OP] Member

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    Yeah - you're right, at least for a second opinion or quote on the job.

    Thanks for the input! You know, I mostly do maintenance as it is required or when something isn't right. I'm sure there's much more than can/should be done to bring the overall health up a notch. If anyone you or anyone you know happens to have a reliable mechanic/shop in southern California, please let me know! Haha. I'd love to find a place that I could trust to take care of this thing for me.
     
  13. Aug 30, 2022 at 3:22 PM
    #13
    tirediron

    tirediron Well-Known Member

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    Tracking... for some reason, reading the OP, it wasn't making sense, all good now.
     
  14. Aug 30, 2022 at 3:26 PM
    #14
    Kreature9

    Kreature9 [OP] Member

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    I'm an absolute newb at this stuff :sorry:
     
  15. Aug 30, 2022 at 8:12 PM
    #15
    ArizonaBrian

    ArizonaBrian Well-Known Member

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    DIY baby! It's just nuts and bolts, a trip to the machine shop, a little down time..then more nuts and bolts.
     
  16. Aug 31, 2022 at 10:30 AM
    #16
    Bivouac

    Bivouac Well-Known Member

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    Remains to be seen I bought the tires and wheels the rest came along
    OP we are all different !

    Some will reach a limit on money spent and other then normal maintenance not a dime more.

    Other Idiots like me think nothing of dumping $20,000.00( parts ) in a 92 4Runner (stock) with more to go.

    Then if your not doing 95% of your own labor things get expensive real fast only you OP know when it is no longer not cost effective.

    It is always a hard call . Doing my own work I always went with investing in what I had rather then a new to me used vehicle and starting all over.

    Some will say upgrade some will say repair there is no wrong answer.

    Best of Luck .
     
  17. Aug 31, 2022 at 10:32 AM
    #17
    Bivouac

    Bivouac Well-Known Member

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    Remains to be seen I bought the tires and wheels the rest came along
    Just where do you live experienced help might be close?

    I have helped quite a few it is a labor of love for me.
     
  18. Aug 31, 2022 at 5:00 PM
    #18
    Cland75

    Cland75 Well-Known Member

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    Come on down to NC Bivouac! I have plenty to do hehe
     
  19. Aug 31, 2022 at 5:19 PM
    #19
    Bivouac

    Bivouac Well-Known Member

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    Remains to be seen I bought the tires and wheels the rest came along
    If my hips and knees still worked at 25% I would still be working .

    If fuel comes down another $1.00 a gallon a NC trip might happen I have a few friends that escaped to NC for the warmer winters.
     
  20. Sep 1, 2022 at 10:28 AM
    #20
    Kreature9

    Kreature9 [OP] Member

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    Hey Everyone,

    Just thought I'd share an update: perhaps you guys could help me weigh in on the issue.

    I had a mechanic who is a friend of the family take a look at my truck. He verified the same codes as Toyota. While he was looking at the truck he decided to replace the spark plugs because he said they needed replacement. We then drove the truck over to my father-in-law's house and left it for a couple days until we could find an independent mechanic to do the disassembly of the cylinder head to send out to a machine shop, etc. Today, my father-in-law started up the truck to drive it over to my brothers house. When he started it up to drive it, the engine light was off.

    A buddy of mine says in 20 years of car service he's done, he said 9 out of 10 times misfire codes are due to spark plugs or coils. So, I'm wondering - do you guys think I should hold off on having a mechanic take apart the cylinder heads for machine work? Is it possible the replacement of those spark plugs was in fact the cause of my misfire codes?

    Thank you in advance!
     

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