P0420 and P0300 - 2000 Taco V6 - Need to Pass Smog

Labor on everything is too high as well? Keep in mind this is So Cal pricing

 

Let me put it this way: I bill $150/hour for engineering services.

What's your time worth? These are easy fixes, and I almost always am of the DIY opinion. I'm speaking as somebody who has done all these maintenance items, but it shouldn't take more than 2 hours for what you've laid out for me, or for a shop. If it's somebody's first time, double or triple it.

It's another thing if they're offering to guarantee diagnosis of the misfire issue, but they haven't even gotten to that.

 

If they are not OE cats and they are aftermarket then get the misfire issue resolved by the shop and have an exhaust shop get you pricing on the cats instead.

 

I hear you.... my time is worth double, but I've got a backlog of work myself, so I"m outsourcing this.

I will definitely discuss a guarantee of resolution for the codes with them for the work I have them do.
I'm thinking of supplying my own parts for the tune up, and doing just that. Then asking them to guarantee just the P0300 code to go away.

 

Good plan, thanks

 

Would you happen to know the part #s of the plugs and wires, and they should be replaced with denso correct?
Not sure if I'm going to have the spark plugs replaced, since I just did 20k ago... maybe just the wires

 

Check the vacuum line to the MAP sensor doesn’t disintegrate into your fingers like mine did and change it

 

Fair enough.

I don't know part #s, no. A lot of people including me go with these:

$40 NGK (4412) RC-TE66 Spark Plug Wire Set

https://www.amazon.com/NGK-TE66-Wire-Set/dp/B000CJ8DC6/
I would skip plugs unless you want to jump up to iridium for some reason (you don't need dual electrode with those), and they should be good for like 80k+. But again, I'd just have yours pulled and double checked for factory-spec gap because it does make a difference.

These aren't things you need to go OEM for, IMO. If you're doing the coil packs themselves, then ya maybe go Denso.

 

Does the 2000 have a MAP sensor?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...em-please-please-offer-informed-input.538439/. Guess not

 

I hear you, and normally I do agree with your philosophy.

btw, I read my comment again from earlier. I meant my free time is worth double what I make hourly at work, not double what yours is worth... not sure how your read it.

 

Still working on this issue.

I've gotten a new quote from the shop, as I took the truck back in yesterday. Focusing on the misfire, they are telling me that, in the intake manifold, there is a tube seal leak that is contaminating the spark plug on at least one of the cylinders. They are quoting $525 - $450 in labor and $112 in parts to fix it. I need to confirm if this will fix the entire intake manifold leaky gasket issue that I've had for years, or just a peripheral issue that should fix the misfiring. (If it also replaces the gasket, I'm more inclined to do it, but I think I was quoted almost $1k to do that years ago, which is why I didn't do it for minimal benefit.)

Then they are wanting to replace the MAF sensor for $161 in parts. Is there a reason this would need to be replaced and not just cleaned?

 

Wtf is a tube seal? Are they talking about the valve cover gaskets?

Oof. Unscrewing two screws: $100. Scamming customer: Priceless. https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...,exhaust+&+emission,mass+air+flow+sensor,5128
No, unless the element has broken or fallen out of spec you shouldn't need a new one.

 

the spark energy will take the least resistance to ground, if that is on the outside of the plug and the inside of the plug boot because there is oil there, that's where it will go. Have them fix that first rather than putting on new cat(s) and chasing a misfire later.
The P0420 code can be "fixed" for $100. URD make a rear O2 sensor simulator that smooths out the rear O2 sensor signal. By "fixed" I mean that it gives you time to decide exactly how you want to proceed with the proper repair. The simulator plugs into the rear O2 harness under the passenger seat and unless you are a Tacoma guy, you wont know to look for it and if they do find it, claim ignorance... this was how the truck was when I bought it.

 

@treyus30 Tube seals are O rings located on head sealing oil from contact with spark plugs where the tubes meet head.

 

Ok so ya, part of the valve cover gasket set.