Engine Shudder, 4L V6, 4x4 TRD, 240K

Yesterday my engine started 'shuddering' after driving a couple of miles, (I did not notice any engine shuddering upon starting, nor any 'problem' indicator lights) I got her home just fine. Noticed the check engine light blinking and slip indicator light stays lit. Upon all restarts now, the engine still shudders when in park and those same lights illuminate. I don't have one of those diagnostic code readers, yet. While I may have to have her towed to the shop, thought I'd ask here what might be good to check/test first on my own. Appreciate your time and any offers on what to take a look at.

 

Without a code reader it’s a guessing game. MAYBE you can access them with a pedal dance method some vehicles have.

Start with what’s easy. Air filter isn’t excessively dirty. MAF sensor isn’t dirty. No popped fuses. No rodent damaged wires. Battery terminals aren’t acid covered. Spark plugs aren’t excessively worn.

 

Thanks Waasheem. I agree, I hope the "I got a friend who has a friend with a code reader" will come thru next week. Until then, this is a great place, from all past posts I've made, to start. Creating my check off list and I'm adding what you've mentioned.

 

Name brand auto parts stores will scan the code for you, but you'll still have to do some detective work. The code will help narrow down where to look, though. The nice thing about Tacoma World and the fact these trucks had a long production run is that you're likely not the first to have this problem and the fix is often well-documented. Once you determine the error code, search for it here and you'll likely have lots of info on how to fix it.

For now, in addition to Waasheem's good suggestions, check fluid levels (namely coolant level in both the radiator and the reservoir while the truck is cold). Low coolant levels can be indicative of head gasket problems that can lead to misfires and stumbling. Electrical problems can be hard to assess without a code scanner, but rodent damage seems to be a common issue and can be pretty obvious to assess if you look closely for the telltale signs (nests, scat, concentrated seeds, food or debris, chewed wires, etc.) that can lead to stumbling and CEL's, too.

Good luck and keep us posted on what you find!

 

Good morning DesertRatliff and thanks for sharing. I don't really want to drive my truck a few miles to the local O'Reilly's with the engine as it is. I paid them a visit in person and asked if they would do 'offsite' testing and the boss there said 'nope'...that's fine, I understand how company policies can be. TW is a great forum and has helped me A LOT with the few issues I've had so I'm confident once I do get the code(s) and share that I'll find out what's going on and the best route to fix it. Of course, with 240K and 15 years on her, it has crossed my mind "might be time for a new truck". I'm beginning my reading/research on Toyota's 4G Tacoma, which the 25' model hasn't been released on their site, yet. Of course, a whole lot of changes in 15 years, especially the motor. I found a really really long thread here started back in 2021 on the 4G, but wow...1,300+ pages on that thread. I'll be in touch and again, appreciate your time.

 

Motor in the 4th gen Tacoma has very little in common w/ the 2nd gen, it is in a different and much newer "family" of engines.

I would not touch a 4th gen Tacoma until at least 2030: It is impossible for anyone to make strong generalizations about the 4th gen's motor reliability until at least 4-5 years / average of 130-150K miles (across thousands of trucks) have accumulated.

Don't listen to anyone who suggests otherwise. The data just doesn't exist yet.
Unlike criminal courts of law, it is fair to presume any new make/model of vehicle is guilty (i.e. unreliable) until time & miles have proven it otherwise.

 

I agree with that statement. The 1GR-FE is a very solid engine. The big if is, MAKE SURE ITS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED!!!!! I think keeping clean coolant in these engines is the most critical. Or else, your head gaskets will hate you. Other than that, thats really all you need to worry about. If your truck has been well maintained, Keep it. That 1GR still has lots of life left. Figure out why its shuttering and once fixed, keep driving it. I own a 15 limited with the 1GR and it has never let me down. Mine has 224k on it and runs like a raped ape. I love the 2nd gen trucks. People that have gotten to know me on here will know that in my personal opinion, best mid size truck to ever be produced.

 

The flashing engine light means you have a misfire that can potentially cause damage to the emissions system. Mostly the convertors and sensors.
Don't keep driving or letting the engine run.

Borrow a scanner. Tell us what codes you have, and we can help further.

Where do you live? Maybe one of us members here on TW live close and can let you borrow a scan tool. I live in Tennessee, but I'm in East Tn.

 

Thanks, I'm just a little way southeast of Nashville in Smyrna, over by the lake. My neighbor's friend, whom I also know is gonna come by soon with his tester and who knows what else. He's a good dude and an experienced wizard with all things automotive, nice! I'm surprised how patient I am considering I'd really like to get the show on the road, ya know. I can't have my truck down and man, it's been a good one! I'd like to keep it alive and running as long as I can. I'm sure some new parts pieces will be needed...240K (mostly all highway) and well maintained, I take good care of her for sure. I was about two miles from my house when I noticed the engine shuddering and I turned around and went straight home...20-30 mph. The shuddering never got any worse (or less) and I've had it sitting in the driveway ever since. I started it one to move it close to the house, no change. I'm sure I'll learn something new in this experience and I appreciate ya ToyotaMan2015 & TnShooter for taking the time to offer help. I'll be back as things change

 

One should never assume.
But I will, I’d venture to guess you have p03xx and/or p035x codes.
Based off your engine light flashing and the shudder.

Some simple stuff to check until the “scan too guy” gets there, would be the wires to the coil packs.
Or any wiring issues you can see with the hood up.

Until you know the codes, you’re just chasing a rabbit down a hole.

If you want chase a rabbit, plugs would be a start.
Ignition is easy to check.

 

Plugs are on the 'to do' list for sure, way too many miles on current ones, but all's been well, until it wasn't. Wonder if there is an accurate up-to-date listing of all codes for the Tacoma out there? I've seen a couple of lists on the forum to reference. Hoping for the best. Appreciate your input.

 

Your truck is 15 years old. All the codes are known.

 

I agree on this. Very much. I regret trading my ‘08 with 4.0 that had . 135K on her. While changing the plugs, I saw oil on the ignition coils. So I changed the valve cover gaskets, ignition coils, and kept the plugs. Week later I needed an alternator. Replaced that. Two weeks later I replaced AC compressor. Only thing I did wrong was buy some bull shit after market pulleys from rock auto that failed. Went to the dealership and purchased all OEM pulleys and tension assembly. Told my buddy that does my work that I need to replace with correct parts he said bring it and said sorry for recommending rock to begin with. But on the day I had intended to bring it I had an appointment to look at my new truck. And the rest is history.
On top of all the other things, done I replaced. New frame, wheel bearings, PCV valve. I deserve this for my boneheaded move. I now have a payment and a truck that sounds cheap IMHO.
Looking back I was better off taking out a loan and having my truck repainted and those pulleys replaced. $10-12k is far better than $35k .
Sorry , guess I had to vent

 

All is good, my frame and all is immaculate. So, if I can, I'll drop a brand new shortblock and transmission in it when the time comes.

 

Good morning, appreciate y'all sharing. I have been blessed that with 240K miles I haven't experienced issues which just come from wear/tear, etc. and that I have friends who help me fix my truck. @Pibbles99, man I hate that you had bad experience with Rock Auto, I've had nothing but good experiences with the parts I've purchased from them. It's just nuts what new trucks (vehicles in general...) cost these days as I've been looking at my 'builds' and then I just close the page, lol. Makes sense about the codes for my older truck and that they're known from over time. I was wondering when a vehicle is built, as it has a computer, are all it's "faults" already known so that a complete list of codes for issues is generated somewhere or could something down the road pop up which isn't known and then a new code is created for the problem and added to this 'list' which is maintained somewhere, like the folks who built it. Hope that made sense. No worries, it's all right to vent.

 

I agree. I would vent on here to if I had a bad experience. I just recently had code p0012. It was so intermittent. It came on once several months ago. Then went away, then, it came back. So, I knew real quick my vvt solenoids were sticking. I replaced them and bought new filter screens and thankfully mine were nice and clean. I left the drivers side alone since the other was clean and it looked like I had to pull the alternator to install the other one. So, I left it be since the other side was clean. At our mileage, you may have to nickle and dime it some, but other than that, their reliability and then being easy to work on really makes me love these trucks

 

Ah, Somerset, KY... Lake Cumberland (and it's river...). Do you do any fishing up your way?

 

You can buy a decent scanner for under $100 on Amazon & have it in a few days. I'd do that before throwing parts at it.

 

Honesly, lake Cumberland is a horrible fishery anymore. Me and my friend always travel anymore to fish

 

Good morning Steves55, you read my mind. I was just about to ask what experiences with OTC scanners have folks had? I'm sure they're priced all across the spectrum for the things they can do, etc. Yeah, I'm with ya, not throwing parts at i. Thankfully, my truck isn't my only vehicle, I have a backup...albeit, an older one, but it runs. My fishing hobby is on hold until I get my truck fixed and man, I just prefer to drive my truck, ya know.