What have you done to your Tacoma today? 1st Gen Edition

jberry813 · Mar 15, 2013

pyroskier said: ↑

I have an aftermarket CAT, since my OEM one was ruined with oil from flipping it on it's side in an accident. It still seemed sluggish after that. But that was 2 years ago. And I read about it, and a symptom of a clogged CAT is engine overheating, but my temps are perfect. Warms up to right half way between C and H . How much would a shop charge to test that? We don't really have any major "exhaust" shops around here since there are no emission laws.

I haven't changed my belts or water pump, and I don't think the PO did either. Could that be causing some issues as well?
Click to expand...

I never had any overheating and they were both plugged up tight. Overheating *can* be a symptom of a clogged cat, not a requirement. Pis poor gas mileage, shitty performance, glowing/red hot cat, and rattling in the cat are all possible symptoms of a clogged cat.

Seriously, it's stupid easy.
You pull the front o2 sensor, replace it with the backpressure gauge, and start the truck and rev it up a bit. Seriously, 5 minute diagnosis. A shop should charge more than 30 min labor especially since the front oxygen sensor is so easy to get to.

If you wanna check symptoms yourself (which is what I did), just unbolt the exhaust after the y-pipe and before the front o2 sensor and take it for a test drive. It'll be loud as hell, but it's how I figured out what was wrong with my truck. She ran like a raped ape after I pulled the cats out of the equation.

Also may wanna take a look at the front o2 sensor itself. FWIW, it's not actually an o2 sensor on your year truck, its a AFM sensor (air/fuel meter). Toyota started using AFM instead of o2 sensors, but they look identical and functionally act the same albeit more accurate. Unforutantely, it's an expensive sensor (~$160), so you wanna be sure of it before you replace it. Simple check....unplug the sensor and take it for a test drive. You'll throw a CEL, but just clear it afterwards. If the truck still acts gutless, it's not the sensor.

Belts/waterpump are not going to make the truck sluggish. A stretched timing belt can restrict some performance, but not to the extent you are describing.

Fenwick1993 · Mar 15, 2013

Started finally working on the taco last night!! Hauled it into the garage with a 4-wheeler. Took off the hood and grille, drained fluids, started disconnecting downpipe and radiator.
Definitely a blown head gasket- the oil was clumpy, milky, and thick, full of trash, and the color of coffee when you pour too much milk in it. When I dropped the bolt to open the pan, it took like ten seconds before oil started dripping out because it was so thick. Chased the crappy oil with some gasoline, cos the gas will evaporate. Looked like the pan was squeezing off a turd at first! Antifreeze was still nice and green, strangely enough. Looked almost new.

steve o 77 · Mar 15, 2013

Fenwick1993 said: ↑

Started finally working on the taco last night!! Hauled it into the garage with a 4-wheeler. Took off the hood and grille, drained fluids, started disconnecting downpipe and radiator.
Definitely a blown head gasket- the oil was clumpy, milky, and thick, full of trash, and the color of coffee when you pour too much milk in it. When I dropped the bolt to open the pan, it took like ten seconds before oil started dripping out because it was so thick. Chased the crappy oil with some gasoline, cos the gas will evaporate. Looked like the pan was squeezing off a turd at first! Antifreeze was still nice and green, strangely enough. Looked almost new.

Click to expand...

Down pipe? That things turbo?

trdracing5 · Mar 15, 2013

Today I had a compression and leak down test done to my Tacoma. I confirmed what I thought. My engine is in need of rebuilding. Anyone got a lead on where to get a good 2.7 Toyota engine?

vette6991 · Mar 15, 2013

Need help on deciding on a front bumper for my 96 any idea's? I like the tube design the most and want a hoop but at the same time I want to make it and don't have a pipe bender.

Rmodel65 · Mar 15, 2013

pyroskier said: ↑

That's ridiculous. I my last fill up I got 8 mpg. I average about 170 miles per tank. I don't know what to do. I drive pretty conservative as well, no romping around flooring it or peeling the tires (doesn't even seem to have enough power to do that anyways ).

I let it warm up enough, and even then it just seems weak. If I floor it from a dead stop, it'll slowly creep up to about 10mph in about 4 seconds, no tire peeling, no jump off the line. Someone on a mountain bike could literally beat me in a short race. The only time it really has any power is when I'm at around 2,500 rpm, and then the throttle response is good. Anything below that and it's just a slug. I drove a family friend's bare stock 2003 3.4L, and it had WAAAAYYYY more power then mine. So there's obviously something wrong. Every couple weeks I'll get a P0171 saying it is running lean, but it's not consistent.

This week I'm going to clean my MAF (already tried that though), replace spark plugs, replace fuel filter, and check my O2 sensors. But if that doesn't work, I don't know what I'm gonna do. Bank 1 O2 might need replaced, but I don't feel like spending $115 just to "see" if that is the problem. I have a muli-meter, can I check it anyway with that?

Any advice would be great guys, sorry for the short novel of a post...
Click to expand...

i get 340-400ish a tank depending on my driving... 96 4x4 2.7, manual trans, man tcase, manual hubs. with stock 2011 4x4 take off rims/tires

my 97 K1500 ECSB gets 11 around town with a 350 vortec and 4l60 on stock 265's....

Fenwick1993 · Mar 15, 2013

steve o 77 said: ↑

Down pipe? That things turbo?
Click to expand...

No, connected to the header, you know? Perhaps I am using the wrong term, never messed with exhaust systems much.

06texasedition · Mar 15, 2013

trdracing5 said: ↑

Today I had a compression and leak down test done to my Tacoma. I confirmed what I thought. My engine is in need of rebuilding. Anyone got a lead on where to get a good 2.7 Toyota engine?
Click to expand...

I see a lot of taco motors on Craigslist

Rmodel65 · Mar 15, 2013

trdracing5 said: ↑

Today I had a compression and leak down test done to my Tacoma. I confirmed what I thought. My engine is in need of rebuilding. Anyone got a lead on where to get a good 2.7 Toyota engine?
Click to expand...

car-part.com ??

steve o 77 · Mar 15, 2013

Fenwick1993 said: ↑

No, connected to the header, you know? Perhaps I am using the wrong term, never messed with exhaust systems much.
Click to expand...

Ok gotcha. Yeah that's just the exhaust pipe

42boxer · Mar 15, 2013

Put some NGK spark wires in. I noticed a sticker saying to use two prong spark plugs not one prong. I change my sparks plugs a couple months ago and they were one prong. Is that bad. Does it matter?

scocar · Mar 15, 2013

42boxer said: ↑

Put some NGK spark wires in. I noticed a sticker saying to use two prong spark plugs not one prong. I change my sparks plugs a couple months ago and they were one prong. Is that bad. Does it matter?
Click to expand...

If you have the 3.4 it does. Need dual electrode.

$18 Denso K16TR11 Spark Plugs, Pack of 4

Denso K16TR11

Gear Head · Mar 15, 2013

scocar said: ↑

If you have the 3.4 it does. Need dual electrode.

$18 Denso K16TR11 Spark Plugs, Pack of 4

Denso K16TR11

Click to expand...

I also am running one prong plugs but with no issues. I would like to switch to denso's though to see if there would be any improvements. Does places like advance auto keep those in stock or would I have to order them? How much are they a piece?

Madjik_Man · Mar 15, 2013

Gear Head said: ↑

I also am running one prong plugs but with no issues. I would like to switch to denso's though to see if there would be any improvements. Does places like advance auto keep those in stock or would I have to order them? How much are they a piece?
Click to expand...

The dealership sells them for $18 for 6 of them.

Gear Head · Mar 15, 2013

Madjik_Man said: ↑

The dealership sells them for $18 for 6 of them.
Click to expand...

Cool, thanks. I didn't mention the dealer because I figured they would want your first born child for a few plugs.

fouillard13 · Mar 15, 2013

scocar said: ↑

If you have the 3.4 it does. Need dual electrode.

$18 Denso K16TR11 Spark Plugs, Pack of 4

Denso K16TR11

Click to expand...

Just out of curiosty I know you are saposr to run

$18 Denso K16TR11 Spark Plugs, Pack of 4

Denso K16TR11 but i have been running single elctrodes for quite a while now. What will it effect by not running duals? mpg? power? smoothness?

fouillard13 · Mar 15, 2013

Went to wreckers to day and got some tacoma parts.

Brand new k and n filter
mint drivers seat
4 tacoma floor mats
rear hitch with wiring harness
tacoma repair manual
rear sliding window latch
all for $130

KennyTaco · Mar 15, 2013

pyroskier said: ↑

That's ridiculous. I my last fill up I got 8 mpg. I average about 170 miles per tank. I don't know what to do. I drive pretty conservative as well, no romping around flooring it or peeling the tires (doesn't even seem to have enough power to do that anyways ).

I let it warm up enough, and even then it just seems weak. If I floor it from a dead stop, it'll slowly creep up to about 10mph in about 4 seconds, no tire peeling, no jump off the line. Someone on a mountain bike could literally beat me in a short race. The only time it really has any power is when I'm at around 2,500 rpm, and then the throttle response is good. Anything below that and it's just a slug. I drove a family friend's bare stock 2003 3.4L, and it had WAAAAYYYY more power then mine. So there's obviously something wrong. Every couple weeks I'll get a P0171 saying it is running lean, but it's not consistent.

This week I'm going to clean my MAF (already tried that though), replace spark plugs, replace fuel filter, and check my O2 sensors. But if that doesn't work, I don't know what I'm gonna do. Bank 1 O2 might need replaced, but I don't feel like spending $115 just to "see" if that is the problem. I have a muli-meter, can I check it anyway with that?

Any advice would be great guys, sorry for the short novel of a post...
Click to expand...

That sucks man. I drive my taco like any teenager drives (fast) and I get on average 260 a tank (17.3 mpg)

Kirk1589 · Mar 15, 2013

Change your fuel filter ASAP not enough fuel will go lean cause a hot engine and loose power

yote · Mar 16, 2013

Changed out my A/C lights to blue LEDs & changed my courtesy lights to LEDs (though that mod didn't make much of a difference)

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