03 tacoma with a list of issues

I'm worried that I might have damaged my tacoma without really noticing or thinking about it. Here's what's up:
I've been getting rather poor mpgs since I got her a year ago (avg 14.7) and am now starting to take up interest in how everything works. I'm noticing that I have some issues. I did get a little airborn in her a few months back, so if any of this sounds like falling damage, it probably is....

1. I'm extremely low on coolant. The last time I had the oil changed they mentioned that I was low and they replaced it for free. I'm thinking that I have a leak somewhere. There's some fan in front of the engine that is belt fed that turns on with the car, and my friend said it should really only kick on when the engine begins to get too hot. Does anyone have any information on this? Also, could anyone recommend some coolant? I really don't know anything about it yet, it's on my list of things to learn about.

2. I have a power steering fluid leak somewhere. I haven't noticed any performance problems, however there is practically nothing on the dipstick, and there are "hoses" on the power steering rack that are really saturated in what I suspect is power steering fluid. Will upload picture soon.

3. Old spark plugs? The engine noise hasn't changed since I've owned the truck, however my friend said that the engine noise is something I should be concerned about. I'll post a video to youtube so you guys can hear it, but I'm not sure I can detect what he's talking about. Either way, I think I have old spark plugs.

4. Bad shocks. The rid is pretty bumpy and I think the shocks are shot. What would you guys suggest I replace them with? It's not a 4x4, and technically it isn't TRD (no rear locking diff..... long, angry story). Also, I have practically no money at the moment, so how long can I go without replacing them?

5. Bad...spring...thing.... I don't know what this is, but my friend said it's bent and is probably damaged. Will upload picture soon.

6. Mysterious oil spill. There is a strange oily spill on the underside of the car directly beneath where the center console goes. I can't figure out what it is, anyone have any idea? Will upload picture soon.

8. Very low oil levels. I had jiffylube change my oil a month or so ago, and I just looked and the level is extremely low. I'm suspecting that I either have a leak somewhere, or they jipped me out of some oil. Any thoughts? Also, could someone tell me what kind of oil I need? I'll probably go with synthetic, but I have no idea what to get beyond that.

9. Damaged Leaf springs? Will upload picture soon.

10. Low mpg? I've found that I can get good mileage if I cruise between 55mph and 65mph, but as when I'm at 75mph and above it really plummets. I'm just under 2k rpms at 55, just over at 65, and i'm at like 2300 to 2500 rpms at 75mph. Any thoughts on this?

11. Brake fluid problem? There's some kind of black sludge around my brakes and I'm not sure what it is. Will upload picture soon.

I'll add more as I continue looking. I apologize for my lack of knowledge, I'm only learning about all of this stuff right now, and I feel retarded using sentences that contain "my friend says", but I have no other way of communicating it. Also important to point out that I have very little money and very bald tires, so I'll be replacing those at the first chance I get. Any other help, advice or suggestions that you guys can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Also, some of this stuff I'll figure out when I get home from work and do some more research and take pictures. I just wanted to get this posted sooner so I can get more feedback.

Thanks you guys!

 

All these issues could of been avoided with proper maintenance. Sorry to hear your truck has all these issues but when your just driving it and not maintaining it this is what happens.

1. I'm extremely low on coolant. The last time I had the oil changed they mentioned that I was low and they replaced it for free. I'm thinking that I have a leak somewhere. There's some fan in front of the engine that is belt fed that turns on with the car, and my friend said it should really only kick on when the engine begins to get too hot. Does anyone have any information on this? Also, could anyone recommend some coolant? I really don't know anything about it yet, it's on my list of things to learn about.
The clutch could be bad on your fan. Ass for coolant just buy 50/50
Prestone made for Toyotas.

2. I have a power steering fluid leak somewhere. I haven't noticed any performance problems, however there is practically nothing on the dipstick, and there are "hoses" on the power steering rack that are really saturated in what I suspect is power steering fluid. Will upload picture soon.
you need to at least keep fluid in the pump until you find the leak or you will burn up the pump.

3. Old spark plugs? The engine noise hasn't changed since I've owned the truck, however my friend said that the engine noise is something I should be concerned about. I'll post a video to youtube so you guys can hear it, but I'm not sure I can detect what he's talking about. Either way, I think I have old spark plugs.

4. Bad shocks. The rid is pretty bumpy and I think the shocks are shot. What would you guys suggest I replace them with? It's not a 4x4, and technically it isn't TRD (no rear locking diff..... long, angry story). Also, I have practically no money at the moment, so how long can I go without replacing them?
You can go as long and you need to the ride is going to be shit but as long as they are not leaking all over you can run them. just find some old TRD shocks on here if your low on funds.

5. Bad...spring...thing.... I don't know what this is, but my friend said it's bent and is probably damaged. Will upload picture soon.
Pics?

6. Mysterious oil spill. There is a strange oily spill on the underside of the car directly beneath where the center console goes. I can't figure out what it is, anyone have any idea? Will upload picture soon.
Tranny would be my guess seeing how you don't have a transfer case.

8. Very low oil levels. I had jiffylube change my oil a month or so ago, and I just looked and the level is extremely low. I'm suspecting that I either have a leak somewhere, or they jipped me out of some oil. Any thoughts? Also, could someone tell me what kind of oil I need? I'll probably go with synthetic, but I have no idea what to get beyond that.
Mobile 1 is what i use.

9. Damaged Leaf springs? Will upload picture soon.
Pics

10. Low mpg? I've found that I can get good mileage if I cruise between 55mph and 65mph, but as when I'm at 75mph and above it really plummets. I'm just under 2k rpms at 55, just over at 65, and i'm at like 2300 to 2500 rpms at 75mph. Any thoughts on this?
Drive slower

11. Brake fluid problem? There's some kind of black sludge around my brakes and I'm not sure what it is. Will upload picture soon.
Yeah I'm going say pics on that too. I could be a lot of things

 

Right. I'm working on that now.

Hahahaha, he used to own an s10 before something really broke, I figured he'd know something but clearly neither of us know anything.


Here are some pictures, it's taking a while to get them off my phone. I'll put the videos of the engine noise on youtube.

 

Here are some more pictures

 

here's some video of the engine running.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt_d9kLfSxU

I have one that i'm uploading now of reving the engine.


Edit: This is for the engine noise, it's a weird rhythmic thing

 

Is this the mysterious oil spill? It looks like its grease from the drive shaft that got spun off from being lubed.

 

That would be the mysterious oil spill. Well.....That's one mystery solved.

 

Was the truck driven at all before you checked the power steering fluid? There's a cold reading on the other side of the dipstick. Make sure you take the dipstick out, wipe it off then put it back in to get a good reading. On my truck there were 2 bolts that were a little loose that were part of the power steering lines. It's down a little further into the engine compartment, follow the lines till you find it.

 

I listened to the video and I couldn't really hear anything out of the ordinary

I would change/tension the belts as needed, change the spark plugs and an oil change if that needs done too.

 

Yeah, I drove home from work bout half an hour earlier (20 miles ish). I did wipe the dipstick down first, and since the car was still warm I went with the hot side.

Also, I was under the impression that the power steering fluid was supposed to be red, and mine appears to be slime green... how bad is that?

I'll go check those bolts right now.

 

How many miles on your truck? You can identify the required maint. schedule online form toyotaownersonline.com. Just register and then enter your VIN.

Plugs are due every 30k miles. This will help overall performance and mileage. The 3.4 will suck gas you you have a heavy foot.

I didn't see any coolant leaks in the pics you provided, and coolant leaks can be tricky to find if it cooks off. Do you find any coolant leaks in the driveway? Only use the pink/red Toyota coolant.

The stock coils and leaf springs on these trucks are pretty notorious for being weak. Your leafs look fine for now (as long as none are actually broken), especially if you are low on funds. Focus on replacing the shocks so you at least have a safer ride with better traction. Bald tires and bad shocks are a recipe for disaster. You can't control a truck like that.

Your steering rack boots look oily along the bottom; this indicates the rack may be leaking, and could be the source of PS fluid loss. Look into this.

The greasy stain above the U-joint is likely just from grease being flung off after service. No worries.

 

Ok, I'm just phasing out anything that would explain the problem lol. If the fluid is old it is probably a greyish-green sort of color. I would also check the hoses connected to the power steering and make sure they are connected well and there are no holes in them. Also wipe down anything covered in the power steering fluid so you can find where the leak is coming from.

 

Suspension does look pretty worn, especially the front coils. You don't need to replace the worn suspension, but it's just a good idea. Since you're low on funds just keep driving it with the worn suspension until you are ready to replace it. Is the coolant low now even after they replaced it? For oil use your choice of 5w-30 oil. I use castrol syntec on my truck.

 

I've got 154,799 miles on it.
The coolant seems to be just below a 3rd of what it should be at full.
I have been driving like a grandma since I've been getting low on funds, and I avoid getting near 2k rpms like the plague.
Also, I'm not sure if the spark plugs have ever been replaced.

The steering rack is one of my biggest concerns. I'm going to take the truck to a mechanic this weekend and get an evaluation done. Is the steering rack something that can be repaired, or would that have to be entirely replaced?

Ok, I'll clean out the engine compartment tomorrow so I can watch for more spills. One thing I noticed when I was looking for those bolts you mentioned was that the top of the skid plate is really oily and dirty on the driver side. I"m not sure what that's about.

There is a little less than a 3rd of the coolant left. I'll be replacing that tomorrow after work too along with the oil.

 

That's the side the oil filter is on and changing that can get very messy. I'm guessing last time it you got the oil changed someone made a mess taking out the filter.

 

^^^x2

 

It kinda sounded like the idler pulleys were bad in the video.

get that T-belt/waterpump done ASAP

 

You seem like you are just getting your feet wet in do it yourself maintenance, which is great you have an interest in taking care of your nice truck. One thing I would suggest you you it to read your owners manual. Believe it or not, it will help getting started. About your fluids, if you have leaks or suspect leaks, check them regularly-daily if needed. If low, add until you can get the leaks fixed. Then you wont have to worry so much.

 

I have first gen rear shocks for 50 for both plus shipping, I only used them 1k miles till my shocks came in and payed 110 for both