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

I have a iPod cable that connects to the back of my HU. I run it down behind the dash, underneath the center console and have it pop up in the bottom compartment of the center console storage.

 

The CEL isn't always on.
It was on for about 4 days last winter, went away on it's own.
It was on when I got my ultra gauge about 7 months ago. I cleared it. Sold the ultra gauge.
About a week ago and 7k miles later, it comes back on.
I couldn't remember exactly which code it had thrown before all I could remember was that o2 sensors were a possibility. So I looked up exactly which code it had thrown and it was the p0420. Which brings me back to my original situation.
I have done the research. O2 sensors, maybe cat, possibly exhaust leak. If I'm only getting 1 maybe 2 less MPG than toyota lists my truck getting on the highway, would it be cost efficient to replace possibly a few hundred dollars in exhaust parts to get rid of an occasional light on the dashboard, and MAYBE (not guaranteed) a small gain in MPG? who knows.

 

I'm confused then. If you don't care why'd you ask?

 

You don't because it's in an indeterminate state!

 

Because everyone around where I live acted like I was half retarded for even considering changing an o2 sensor or a cat. They all acted like it was just throwing money at it just to get rid of the CEL, and that it probably wouldn't affect mpg at all. Was wondering if anybody on here has actually changed one with any noticeable results from doing it.

 

For the record I removed my front cat when I installed headers and now get the p0420 code when city driving. I think it's more cat related than o2 sensor.

 

Maybe it is? Maybe it isn't?

 

Tends to be, but it can also be the o2 sensors. If it can be fixed with o2 sensors, that's a lot cheaper than buying a new cat.

 

primary o2 being bad can hurt your mpg. but the one after the cat is just to monitor cat efficiency and isnt gonna hurt your mpg..you O2 could just be switching slow and with 230k miles it probably is....


rockauto.com has a new denso for 49$ they are the OEM maker DENSO Part # 2344161
. Upstream; 4WD; Standard trans.; Except California Emissions; DENSO is the OE Manufacturer

 

I just ordered the downstream O2 sensor even though I'm not throwing a code.

Like I said, I just pulled the upstream one and it looked toasted. Figure the downstream one is equally as crappy.

I'll report back. For less than $50 it's worth a shot.

If I can gain back 20 miles per tank let's say. That's approximately one gallon of fuel. Say that's about $3.50. I'll make my money back in about 15 tanks... which is about 3.5 months the way I drive

 

Thanks man.
Yeah that's kinda what they told me. A truck with 237,000 miles is going to have a check engine light and there's no use throwing money at it to keep the CEL off. This is my first vehicle and I'm having to learn these things as I go. I'm pretty incompetent with this stuff as of right now, as demonstrated.
Pcbuilder, certainly didn't mean to start an argument bud, thanks for the help.

 

Son of a f'in...

 

Thanks brother. I'd agree, it's worth a shot. For some reason I remembered them being much more expensive than that.

 

Lol..

 

FWIW my MPG dropped to shit for the half a tank before I changed out the upstream O2 sensor.

Be sure to use the TW discount code on rockauto for 5% off. Less than $50 for the part and shipping.

 

i put a new o2 on my taco when i first got it...i knock down 26-28 mpg easily. summer is here so i plan on getting even more mpg out of the bike LOL

 

I have a hard time believing that. The best tank I ever got was 25 mpg and that was pretty much doing 60-65 mpg downhill the whole time.

 

a lot of people here do..but im 4 banger manual hubs and tranny at sea level and we dont have hills in coastal georgia lol

 

I knew a guy that had a 2wd 4 banger extra cab (non pre-runner) who regularly got 27mpg. He opened the windows instead of running the A/C and drove it like a granny.