2013 Tacoma won't go past 50 mph after tune up/control arms changed..

2013 Tacoma, 160k miles, automatic

Went to a shop to get oil changed, tune up and any part that needed to be replaced.

Got oil change, spark plugs changed and control arms replaced. Hefty price in total.

Came back with it running sluggish, it would not accelerate that fast and won't go past 50mph.

Confused since why would that happen with just control arm replacements, unless they fucked up sparks plugs installation.

Wasn't a big fan of them so wanted to go to another place.

Decided to take it to a transmission place to further diagnose it, they said transmission is fine and it's the bad catalytic converter.

Confused yet again... So took it to a cat guy and said the cat was only 30% clogged but she had a lady with similar situation and cat and the replacement fixed it so I paid the $700 trusting them and the issue still happens.

 

I would start with the spark plugs. They aren't the only thing that could be causing those symptoms, but they are the only electrical parts that were touched. Maybe bad/counterfeit/incorrect ones. Could also be a cracked insulator during installation causing the juice from the coil jumping to ground before it reached the center electrode. Finally, check all of the coils: broken connectors or clips/wires... even put back on the wrong spark plug.

I wouldn't advise changing any more electrical components until you check them. I would also check to see if any vacuum hoses or other electrical connectors are disconnected or looked like they were moved to get to the spark plugs.

Welcome to TacomaWorld!

 

Check for error codes. If you don’t have a reader, chain auto parts stores will scan. Look for something odd like a rag left in a intake tube, or something left unplugged.

 

I bet they used the wrong plugs… fn idiots. This is why you have to learn to change them yourself.

 

Hopefully, they didn't drain the trans pan and doubled amount of oil in engine. Check dip stick. I, too, would double check the plug connections. Chances are you took it to them because you are not mechanically inclined, or you would have checked these things already. May have to get a different shop to check it, or take it back to the same shop - they should not charge you for them to double check their work.

 

What plugs did they put in?

 

NGK IX Iridium Spark Plug 6619

Dang I wasn't aware sparks plugs would cause that since it didn't seem like it was changing gear. Seemed like a coincidental transmission issue..

The truck is at the transmission shop currently. I'll call and see if they can check the sparks plugs.

 

They said they'll only scan it for misfire which I believe they already did since they told me my cat was bad...

 

I have been working on my own cars since High School: 50+ years. Whenever I did the spark plugs, the first thing I would do is start the vehicle to see how it ran. That's the whole point and reward of doing the job. Over the years I have had a cracked insulator, one spark plug that didn't work at all, a vacuum hose I didn't put back, and a plug wire that pulled out of the clip under the boot. Ran terrible for each.

Seems a fairly sure bet this was never done by the mechanic that worked on your truck.

 

I’ve seen where they miss getting the plug into the coil. If the coil looks crooked, could be.

 

If yours is a V6 it's meant to have regular copper plugs in it,not sure if iridium plugs would screw it up.

 

What LCAs did they toss on? Not that it would affect the engine... just curious

 

It seems we are just rolling the diagnostic dice here...
Why don't you take it back to where the work was done and give them a chance to make it right?

 

Iridiums would not affect performance like that. I’ve been running iridiums since 50K. About to put in my third set.

 

I just put Denso's coppers in mine. How often did you have to change the iridiums?

 

Yeah take it back to the shop that did the work, end of story. But let us know what you find out.

 

Best bet is to take it back to the same shop that did the work. The mechanic forgot to plug something in...and please report back your findings. It would help out TW folks.

 

Welcome to TW. Try to think of this as a lesson (hopefully) learned. Most mechanics or shops don't give a hoot about your vehicle. Get it in, get it out while gouging (up selling) the customer. Especially when the customer knows very little about wrenching.

With this behind you and I hope your vehicle will be running fine soon, YOU should really learn how to do the basic maintenance on your truck. The more you do, the less they can jack up.

If anything at all comes out of this, at least try to find a good mechanic that knows what they're doing and that you trust. They're out there. Ask you buds, ask here on TW about anyone in your location. There are local threads here on TW. Maybe one for wherever you live and possible a TW member near you will offer to help you out.

In the meantime, take it easy an Italian tune up isn't going to fix what's wrong with your truck.

 

Wish I could say your wrong but yea it seems like many shops are that way anymore, not to mention the customer pays for all their guessing at problems instead of them properly diagnosing it and eating the cost when they misdiagnose something.

 

100K on first set. I have 55K on current set but will replace in the next 10K or so because I need to replace my valve cover gaskets, so minus well replace the plugs since everything will be out of the way. The first set of iridiums had about .050 gaps. So, 70K’ish is a good mileage to change iridium plugs on my truck.