Lack of power and slight hesitation

I've had my 2010 Tacoma for a few years, and I've noticed in the last year or so that it seems to be losing power. I started noticing it on steep hills, specifically taking off from a stop uphill. It feels like I'm taking off in second gear. I've also noticed it taking off from a stop at intersections. When I need to get moving because there is traffic coming, the truck just doesn't want to go.

I just had it in for maintenance at the dealer, and they can't find anything wrong with it. They think the problem is because I have too much weight in the truck. I carry a fair amount of weight on a daily basis, but I can't bring myself to believe that a pickup truck shouldn't be able to take off in first gear because it is carrying something in its bed. I've been paying close attention to it since I had it serviced, and yesterday morning, I had trouble taking off from a driveway on flat ground where the pavement was about 4 inches higher than the gravel driveway. I came off the clutch and it didn't make it up onto the pavement without stalling. Things like this seem to happen quite a bit.

The spark plugs were recently replaced, and the dealer checked them when it was in and said they were fine. There are no check engine codes, no misses, it seems to run fine. It just doesn't seem to have enough power. The only thing I have noticed beyond the lack of power is a slight hesitation. If I rev the engine in neutral, there is a split second between when I press the gas pedal, and when the RPMs jump up. So much so that if I stomp on it quick enough, I can put the pedal to the floor and back up before the RPMs jump. If I'm not mistaken, the engine response should be more or less instant.

So what could cause the delay? I have a feeling that it is what is causing my lack of power.

 

I believe the 4 cyl in that year is also drive by wire like my 2012 V6. There is a slight lag time in throttle response but that is just how they are. As far as the other thing, maybe your clutch is starting to slip???

 

Definitely not a slipping clutch. The clutch is engaging, and the truck will stall out before it moves up the hill. It feels like taking off in second gear.

 

How many miles on truck?

 

150k

 

I guess if it were mine I'd start looking at things like fuel pressure, O2 sensor performance, Clean Mass air sensor, Is the cat plugged? Are the brakes dragging? How does it roll on flat ground in neutral, any resistance?You might have to take to different shop for more in depth diagnostic.

 

I don't feel any resistance as if it were brakes hanging up. While it was in for service they did a state inspection, which means they should have looked at the brakes. Its also pretty typical for them to look for other repairs, especially the easy ones like brakes while its there. Its not the Cat. They just put a new one in (Toyota Recall).

I guess I'll have to clean the MAF sensor and check fuel pressure. There really isn't too much else that it could be without throwing a code.

 

Was there any solution to this problem? I have a 1997 3.4L 4x4 and I'm havi g the same issue.

 

Bump. Have any solutions to your issue that you found? I'm having a similar issue with my truck, and besides cleaning the MAF I am unsure where to look. New plugs, wires, clutch approx. 10k miles ago. I've been in Mexico for the past 3 months, it could be bad gas, however I've run several tanks from different gas stations through since the problem started. Only seems to be in 1rst gear, going up very steep hills. To the point of having to use 4L on pavement to get off of them.

 

Try running a few bottles of Lucas fuel injector cleaner. Check fuel pressure, check catalytic converter. I got 70,000 on my truck not much compared to yours but it runs brand new like the day I got it.

 

Try cleaning the MAF and try something like Hot Shot Stiction Eliminator or Z Max. The motor maybe gummed up with carbon deposits, I had a 1996 Tacoma with a 2.4, at about 200k it started getting rather puny. I used the Z MAX in it and it ran like new, after a few days of driving. I thought the motor was close to shot, but the treatment really gave it more performance and better gas mileage. It's worth a shot!

 

I seem to be having the same problem with my 2004 2.7. I can't really tell because the 2.7 is so gutless to begin with but it seems I have lost power over the past year or so. Mine is perfectly maintained. I don't get it. I suspect a change in the gas we are using.

 

What about wires or coul packs. I don't really notice a change in uphill, because over the last couple years I have increased tire weight each year, but I do get a hesitation from a stop.

I can defeat the hesitation by riding the clutch out a second longer. I think my clutch just needs professional adjustment. I've been doing since I've owned it, but I think it needs a pro touch.

I always wonder how long the coul packs and wires are good for though. I also suspect I'm going to need a timing chain in another year. I get tapping on cold mornings that takes a while to go away. Truck still runs like a clock once warmed up though.

Needs new cab mounts, trans mount, motor mounts and some suspension bushings too though. Can feel all that regularly. Has 215k hard miles on it.

 

2.7 = 0 to 60 in 4.5 minutes

 

Bump This!! 2002 3.4L prerunner, automatic trans

I'm having the same issue for sure. Absolutely no power up hills. I basically drive with overdrive button off at all times. I have a k&N air intake. I know that cleaning the throttle body and the maf will help a bit as I've done that before. I wonder if its the throttle body sometimes b/c when its not working well i'll here a popping noise when it gears down hard up a big hill and when i cleaning that first flap in the throttle body that went away. I have over 600,000 miles and have had this truck since it was new. I'll get to the bottom of this. I am straight pipped too so no cats and i wonder if the o2 sensor even matters at this point.

I may go grab the throttle body off my buddies truck and see if it makes a difference, and then try some of these other suggestions

 

I also notice on big hills on the interste that as i'm trying to keep speed the truck kinda gets herky jerky like its searching for the restricted power