Power issue

I've searched some and not found any topics that matched up to what I'm looking for but I am searching from an iPhone so it's near impossible. I apologize for that and my limited mechanical knowledge.

Here's the back story, I bought my tacoma from my pops around 145k miles. He bought it from my godmother who had it miles 40k-50k.
Around 130k miles my dad started having some power issues with it. It sounds terrible and is just so sluggish. I have to run the interstate about 40 miles a day and it's near impossible, with it completely topped out around 78 mph. It's just all it's got. I had plugs and wires replaced but we've had local mechanics ahold of it (primarily Chevy guys) and they can't figure it out. Had it to three guys trying to avoid going directly to toyota, 2 of the guys think it's had a chip on it that went bad? I know literally nothing about chips so is this a possibility? It would have been previous to my godmother having it because she nor my father put anything aftermarket on. If not this do you guys have any other ideas? Sorry if it's kind of vague.

 

maybe a bad cat? how does it sound terrible?

 

I'm not sure how exactly to describe it. Dying panther maybe? Ha
Honestly it just sounds like pure death. I have a magnaflow on it but that's definitely not it. The cat was replaced right before I bought it from my dad, didn't really change much.

 

Not much to go on here.

Describe the noise (most of us have never witnessed a dying panther ).
When does it occur? When does it not?
How is the acceleration?
CEL turned on?
How is the gas mileage?
Timing belt ever been changed?
Any other symptoms?

 

How does it idol? Any smoke from the exhaust? Bad fuel mileage? We need some more details besides that there is a panther under your hood lol

 

The idle is particularly bad when the truck has sat 8 hours or more. Like every morning it is "on the struggle bus". It's cold but of course, an Arkansas summer morning temp wise isn't exactly cold, it's not like I'm starting it in legitimately cold temps. I consider my gas mileage bad. I'm running 285s (with a 3inch OME setup and spacers) and I get about 13-14 on the interstate, 15-16 around my house (just highways, not much town driving around here). The noise is at it's worst with higher speeds. No smoke whatsoever. I think my acceleration is terrible. I switched from a 5.3 v8 so I thought at first it was just me being impatient but it can't be. I remember the truck being much peppier when I've driven it in the past. I barely have the acceleration and power to pass anyone. I'm in the foothills of the ozarks, I commute on flat grounds through the week. Pulling big hills is terrible but in general the truck does much better in the hills than it does on the interstate.
I'm about to go drive to try to pin point a better description of the noise.

 

Maybe try seafoaming everything?

 

I would try a compression test.

 

What is your exact tire size? If it is larger in diameter than original, then that would cause a big decrease in power.

 

Try cleaning the throttle body and the MAF right abovr the airbox, with carbcleaner or the airflow cleaner stuff. Then change your air filter.
Find a easy spark plug pull it out and take a pic and post it on the site. This may help us figure it out.
X2 on the seafoam after you clean the TB and MAF. Use the vacume line by that goes to the charcoal can to the top of the TB.
Use a bunch follow the directions on the can or look it up on this site. Pour the rest in your tank and go for a agressive drive.

Oh yea pull your EFI fuse after the seafoam, and let it sit for a bit.

 

Hoping to try cleaning everything tomorrow. There's a "Helix Power Tower" plus TB on the truck that was on there before we got it. I'm running 285/70/16s but this all started when I was running 265s.

 

Any codes? I had a truck do this when the engine temp sensor went bad. it sounds like its running way rich like it does during start up.

 

Have the dealer run the codes. They can tell you exactly what is going on.

I had a similar problem with my 96 Taco LX V6 4X4. That is, lack of power.

I replaced a few ignition packs myself and it cured the problem. I would only buy Toyota brand ignition packs. They are about 100 bucks a piece.

If you have someone run the codes, they can tell you exactly which ignition pack in bad.

Good Luck

 

Well, got an appointment with Toyota in the morning, I'll let y'all know what I find out.

 

When is the last time the spark plugs were replaced?

 

I had my plugs and wires done about 10k miles ago.

Toyota has had my baby for thepast two days, got him back this afternoon. problem was a mixture of things. Timing belt has been replaced along with the front belts (drive belts?, can't remember what they're called), new fuel filter, and had them run through and do some cleaning. Anyway my truck is like a totally new truck. Definitely fixed the issue. Now if only my wounds will heal from selling that kidney to get it out of hock... haha

Thank you all so much for your troubleshooting and assistance. I don't post a ton but I creep often. Keep up the great work on everything fellow Tacoma lovers!