Got a Gen 1 I need help with codes……

Hello,
Everyone

I got a project truck. I bought a 2001 prerunner Tacoma the this week. I love it and it’s a great addition to my 2021 TRD pro, 20 years apart! The guy I bought it from babied it and had all his maintenance logged. Before he sold it to me he told me it was misfiring and he changed the spark plugs and wires. He also just changed the timing belt. The spark plugs and wires seemed to fix the problem for a few days. But after a few days it started misfiring again. I was running codes on it yesterday and I kept hearing like an air sound. I thought the neighbors were playing bass but it turned out to be under the hood of the truck when I got closer to it. So after I ran the codes I got P0300(random multiple cylinder misfire), P0302(cylinder 2 misfire), P0304(cylinder 4 misfire), and P0306(cylinder 6 misfire). Can someone help me on where I should start my problem solving? I’m new to all of this and am trying to learn. This is a project truck so it’s not super pressing. I just don’t want to get ripped off by a mechanic. Does anyone know or have a theory on what would cause this? Explained like I’m a 5 year old. lol Thanks!

 

99.9% sure it’s a cracked passenger side cylinder head, unlikely to be the head gasket IMO. 5vz is known for it.

Leak down and compression test might provide some info.

 

Hey thanks so much for the information. Wonder how much that will cost me?

 

depends if you can do the work or not. Used head rates around here are averaging 2-300, pressure test and cleaning ~100, head gasket and associated replacements such as valve covers, intake gasket etc will probably be another 300 depending on who you buy from. Then consider thermostat, water pump, timing belt, coolant, drive belts etc will be another 500.

~1k if you performed the work yourself. If not, I would imagine $2k+ for shop price.

 

Why do you think that’s the problem?

 

Because majority of the 5vz that came in for service with P0300+02,04,06 or 01,03,05 ended up with cracked head. I wish it was as simple as head gasket, injectors, pump etc.

 

Maybe the timing belt is off a few teeth at one bank

 

Hey thanks again for the information! Can I ask another question? Is this hole supposed to be where my air filter is? If almost looks like it’s supposed to have something plugging the hole. I’m sorry if these are stupid questions I am seriously brand new at working on vehicles in general. I’ve been consuming myself trying to learn. I want to know my trucks and how to work on them.

 

Thanks I’ll look into that. Sometimes when I’m idling it smells like burnt rubber. He told me that it does leak oil slowly before u bought it. About half a quart within 4,000 ish miles. Basically between oil changes. It’s leaking on the manifold. But I only smell it every once in a while. I figured that smell was oil burning but do you think that could be a belt?

 

Sure

 

folks call the modification “deck plate” and supposed to be a CAI

 

show us a picture of the complete Engine Bay.

 

To expand on this, a deck plate is a common part of small boats, used to make a watertight access hole to storage. It was the hot mod for a while to install a deckplate in the airbox and leave the coverplate off so the engine breathed easier directly through the front of the engine bay rather than through the stock wheel well configuration. The coverplate can be reinstalled when taking the truck through mud or water. It would be a good idea to get a new cover plate.
https://www.westmarine.com/deck-pla...Oa25i_IFcA8bw5WOkX9FOTwMSL-N7pzLZ91AnEYeQiFhk