New Tacoma owner

Hey guys, San Diego native here and I've been a long time lurker and finally got me a 1st gen tacoma! 2000 v6 prerunner. It has some issues though that I need to work out. I've looked through the threads here and just want some confirmation before I do anything. I bought this truck from a guy in OC a week ago. Bought a new battery. changed spark plugs and wires. The old plugs looked normal with no residue. when I start the car it feels like it coughs or can't get enough fuel? like it wants to die. If I hit the gas in park and rev the engine it will correct the problem. There is still an idle issue where it can be as high as 2000rpm or as low as 500rpm. It will go normal after warming up for like 5 minutes. There is also water dripping from the tail pipe every time i start in the morning but then goes away. Not super white smoke and doesn't smell sweet or like burning oil. Dealership said I have a valve cover leak and wants $500. Idk about that. lastly I just checked the radiator and there was this hard clay like residue like someone tried to seal a leak maybe? I have no clue. Thanks for your time guys!

 

I am going to clean the MAF and IAC valve this weekend to see if that corrects the issue as well.

 

started high at 1500 then went to maybe 700rpm. I tasted the water and it tasted like nothing. Oh and here she is truck!

 

tasted the water? Bold man.

Your issue at startup is likely caused by the same thing giving you idle RPM issues. Hopefully it can be resolved. Probably the IAC of MAF, maybe TPS. Those are the usual culprits. I had a high idle on my GTO due to the TPS.

That coolant looks like SHIT. I won't jump right to a head gasket, it doesn't look like oil to me at least. It could be rust, or super mega old as shit coolant that the previous owner never bothered to take care of. Flush that thing ASAP, you may need to replace the radiator because that is some thick crap that may not come out. That will for sure eventually impact cooling performance.

Good luck, enjoy the truck!

 

I might just buy a new radiator just like you suggested, cuz this one looks trash. Is it an easy install? aftermarket Okay?

 

Welcome to TW!

 

I've never done on on a Tacoma, but I've never seen a radiator that was hard to replace. I've done them on several vehicles, it was always very, very straight forward and quick. Some are done in under 1/2 an hour, including drain and refill! lol

 

Thanks bro!

 

Welcome to TW- Definitely run cleaner ,drain & flush out radiator ,cooling system ASAP. Cleaning the MAF & IAC should take care of the Idle problem.

 

Welcome!