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Looking for little guidance on next step - P0301 code

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by jcharisman, Jul 14, 2025.

  1. Jul 14, 2025 at 1:33 PM
    #1
    jcharisman

    jcharisman [OP] Member

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    I have a 2011 with a 4 cylinder. The CEL came on the other day and I saw a P0301 and a P0302 code. I replaced the plugs (they looked pretty good so I feared this wasn't it) and CEL came back on. I moved cylinder 3 and 4 coils into the #1 and 2 position, and now I'm getting just a P0301 code (along with CEL). What should I be doing next?
     
  2. Jul 14, 2025 at 6:35 PM
    #2
    Dm93

    Dm93 Test Don't Guess

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    We need to start with when does the misfire occur?

    All the time?
    Cold start?
    Idle?
    Under load?
     
  3. Jul 14, 2025 at 6:55 PM
    #3
    jcharisman

    jcharisman [OP] Member

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    Good question. It mostly starts and idles rough. Driving it, I can feel no difference. In performing the diagnostics with the plugs and coils the first time the CEL came on immediately, and the next time it didn't after a 20 mile trip, but then came on the next day during a cold start.
    The first time I started having this issue, the CEL came on driving home, on the highway.
     
  4. Jul 14, 2025 at 7:02 PM
    #4
    Dm93

    Dm93 Test Don't Guess

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    That kind of suggests a headgasket that is seeping coolant in the cylinder.

    First thing I would do is when the engine is cold pull the plugs, pressurize the cooling system with a pressure tester, and look in the cylinders with a borescope for coolant entering.

    Eric O just posted a good video on doing this on a Honda, it has a pretty bad case but any coolant entering a cylinder is a fail.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rurhi-IGaiU
     
    BigCarbonFootprint likes this.
  5. Jul 14, 2025 at 7:06 PM
    #5
    Steves104x4

    Steves104x4 Well-Known Member

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    BUCKLE UP! It makes it harder for Aliens to pull you out of your Truck.
    How many miles on the truck?
     
  6. Jul 15, 2025 at 5:11 AM
    #6
    jcharisman

    jcharisman [OP] Member

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    Truck has 174K on it. Really, the only time I feel anything unusual is at idle.
     
  7. Aug 5, 2025 at 5:28 PM
    #7
    jcharisman

    jcharisman [OP] Member

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    So, the saga continues. Plugs replaced. Coils swapped location, but the misfire stayed with cylinder 1. One day on a short drive, the engine lacked any power and barely made it up a hill, Turned off the vehicle and started it back up and it ran fine. Replaced the coils. Another P0301 code. No coolant seepage, ruled out a head gasket. Compression test on cylinders, fine. Could I have a valve timing or sensor issue??
     
  8. Aug 5, 2025 at 6:39 PM
    #8
    BigCarbonFootprint

    BigCarbonFootprint Well-Known Member

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    You may have a mechanical failure with respect to the #1 piston cylinder head.

    Broken valve, broken valve spring, etc....
     

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