Bad coil pack(s)? Please help!

I drive a 2000 Toyota Tacoma V6 TRD. 72000 miles. Have been trouble shooting this problem for about a year. Truck sounds great and drives well when first cranked after sitting for a few hours. Once the engine is heated up, starts to make a "Clicking" sound while accelerating. Also, while idle-ing, the engine sounds like its trying to stay alive, but will only do this after is has been driven a while. Took it to the mechanics and they said the clicking sound was "pre-detonation". I've changed both O2 sensors, new plugs and wires, cleaned the MAF sensor. Should my next step be to troubleshoot the coilpacks? Any information would help. I really want to get my truck running good again. Thanks!

 

don't be offended by this statement but...... have you checked your oil??? it sounds like you are low on oil actually. The oil is thick (when it has sat for awhile) and thins while you are driving and the crankcase is hot. if your oil is fine, I would start researching valve trouble. I don't know. Maybe this helped.

 

Just had the oil changed so that shouldn't be the problem.

 

m1kroe,

I'm confused,your mechanic said it was pre-detonation but did not give you the exact cause.....what the hell gave him that diagnosis?? If it was on a scope or computer..it showed where....why not tell you instead of letting you chase tail and $$$.....

Sorry to "rant" BUT I'm old school and todays "Parts changers" get under my skin...

Snoope back quiet

 

have you thought about maybe cleaning your iac valve?

 

Thanks for all your replies. The diagnosis on the "pre-detonation" was supposedly the spark plugs. But like I said, Ive changed those. They checked for vacuum leaks and said there were none. As for cleaning my IAC Valve, i have no clue what that is. Im sorry, im not very mechanic literate. I noticed tonight comming home that there was a bit of white smoke from my tail pipe? Dunno if that makes a difference or not.

 

have you seafoamed?

 

No, have not ran any seafoam through it yet. I have ran numerous bottles of injector cleaner through it though.

 

I know white smoke means you're burning coolant. Can range anywhere from bad gasket(most likely) to cracked heads/block.

 

Ok so I broke down and took the Taco too the Toyota dealership today. 4 hours and 300 bucks got me this information:

They ran compression tests on the engine and #3 Cylinder had less than 50psi. All the others were fine (i think the man said they were at like 235psi or something). My waterpump was leaking. Engine coolant level was not staying at the correct level so he said that was from the water pump leaking. As for the low psi cylinder...blown head gasket or burnt valve? Should I put some oil into that cylinder and do a compression test to see if it goes up or down? Any ideas? I really dont wanna spend a few thousand dollars at the dealer to fix this. Would really like to do it myself. Love this truck and would really hate to get rid of it.

 

Quick question????

I am hoping the "Tech" checked BUT does your truck have a recall on the "Defect Headgaskets"????..Not sure what years the V-6's had this BUT it did save my sons A$$ and MY WALLET......he purchased his 4 -runner used and not a week later it created white smoke,the dealer ate the labor and all parts except the new waterpump and 1/2 the coolant...

That might help take the "sting" out of that bad cylinder.......

Snoope back quiet

 

I didn't know there were any recall on defective head gaskets for the 3.4 V6. How would one go about finding more information on that?

 

No that white smoke is oil going past the wore out rings/ head gasket and into your exhaust from that bad cylinder with 50psi.

 

I thought oil was blueish/dark smoke?

 

Check out this bit of info I found on diagnosing the problem; could be helpful if you have an air compressor: