1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

My 3rz is a gas guzzler

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Pravesh, Aug 18, 2013.

  1. Aug 18, 2013 at 3:37 PM
    #1
    Pravesh

    Pravesh [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2013
    Member:
    #110693
    Messages:
    14
    Gender:
    Male
    Hello all,
    I am from Guyana, South America, and my truck is a 1999 Toyota Hilux extracab with the 2.7l 3rz-fe.
    My ONLY problem with this truck is that i get about 13-14mpg. I have been trying endlessly to correct this issue. I have done the following:
    new air filter
    new exhaust system (less headers)
    new o2 sensor (I only have 1, pre cat)
    new fuel filter
    new thermostat
    new spark plugs
    new spark plug leads
    confirmed proper valve clearances
    confirmed correct base timing
    no errors on electronics
    all sensors reporting within normal limits, special attention made to TPS, coolant temp sensor, o2 sensor
    ran seafoam through it.

    Nothing that I have done has helped in any way whatsoever. I do have a bullbar and winch in front. I am riding on 31x10.5 bfg mud terrains, and I know that this doesnt help but it should not take me down to 13 mpg. Most of my driving is short, about 10 miles per trip. Having taken cold driving into consideration, let me say that my temperature gauge gets to halfway within a few minutes. I do not let the vehicle idle to warm it up.
    PRIOR to having off road tires, bullbar, and winch, I was running absolutely stock and getting similar economy.
    I am at a loss as to what else i can do to help with the economy. I would greatly appreciate any guidance from you guys here. I would like to try advancing the timing a few degrees but i do not know how. My engine uses coil packs.
    Attached a pic of my truck.
    Thanks so much in advance
    Pravesh

    20130423_073237.jpg
     
  2. Aug 18, 2013 at 3:43 PM
    #2
    Millertime187

    Millertime187 I'll be your huckleberry!

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2012
    Member:
    #87698
    Messages:
    1,924
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    Clay City, KY
    Vehicle:
    1995 Taco
    Just a few little things. It's my DD
    Welcome and nice truck!!! Not sure about your MPG but I would think it would get better. How is the fuel there? Do you always get your gas at the same place? Maybe try and get some another place? Not sure what else it may be. Looks like you have done everything. What about you catalyst converter?
     
  3. Aug 18, 2013 at 3:52 PM
    #3
    Pravesh

    Pravesh [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2013
    Member:
    #110693
    Messages:
    14
    Gender:
    Male
    Thanks Millertime, I use strictly 95 octane fuel from a Shell service station. I have a new converter in place as well. I have a friend with the same engine and tires on his tacoma here getting about 20mpg.
     
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2013
  4. Aug 18, 2013 at 5:52 PM
    #4
    cmj

    cmj Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2011
    Member:
    #58636
    Messages:
    923
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Oregon
    Vehicle:
    98 Tacoma 4x4
    Could be a tired engine.. Have you done a leak down or compression test?
     
  5. Aug 18, 2013 at 6:38 PM
    #5
    Pravesh

    Pravesh [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2013
    Member:
    #110693
    Messages:
    14
    Gender:
    Male
    Yes, how could I forget to mention that. I have done a compression test, all cylinders are OK
     
  6. Aug 18, 2013 at 7:00 PM
    #6
    DaBears

    DaBears Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 23, 2011
    Member:
    #69282
    Messages:
    123
    Gender:
    Male
    CONUS
    Vehicle:
    10 trd sport
    :notsure: Is it stuck in 4WD? You don't have locking hubs, do you?
     
  7. Aug 18, 2013 at 9:12 PM
    #7
    Mr. Biscuits

    Mr. Biscuits gentleman and a scholar

    Joined:
    May 6, 2012
    Member:
    #78316
    Messages:
    1,603
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brennen
    Eugene, OR
    Vehicle:
    2000 PreRunner TRD V6
    - OME suspension - Custom front/rear tube bumpers - 33x12.5r15 BFG KOs - Deckplate mod + AFE reusable filter - Aero Turbine 2525 exhaust, chopped before leaf spring - Toyota Horns emblem by Diaz Fabrication - Pioneer stereo and new speakers + 10" sub - camper shell
    We don't see too many Hiluxes around here. Kudos.

    Maybe a MAF issue? Is it running rich or lean?
     
  8. Aug 19, 2013 at 4:20 AM
    #8
    Pravesh

    Pravesh [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2013
    Member:
    #110693
    Messages:
    14
    Gender:
    Male
    No wheel hubs here. 4WD is selected on a gear lever.
    How would I know if it's MAF problem? Through obd? I checked the flow rate at idle and it was according to the engine manual. My ltft is at about -4%
     
  9. Aug 19, 2013 at 12:12 PM
    #9
    Taylor

    Taylor Check out NASA Spec3!

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2012
    Member:
    #74417
    Messages:
    1,334
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Taylor
    Vienna, Virginia
    Vehicle:
    NASA Spec3 RaceCar
    Why are you using such a high octane?
     
  10. Aug 19, 2013 at 12:55 PM
    #10
    flash9588

    flash9588 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2012
    Member:
    #87138
    Messages:
    247
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Alex
    Abbotsford, BC
    Vehicle:
    It's red.
    When you're filling up are you putting in A LOT of gas every time? My fuel gauge has voltage problems and will dive for no apparent reason and after some time will come back up. If you're seeing your needle drop that quick then you would smell it in the exhaust, it would HAVE to be insanely rich. Only other thing I can suggest is checking your timing, it's very unlikely but it's worth a look if you're at the end of your rope...
     
  11. Aug 19, 2013 at 4:08 PM
    #11
    Pravesh

    Pravesh [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2013
    Member:
    #110693
    Messages:
    14
    Gender:
    Male
    PartyBusGaming, I'm afraid in this part of the world when you go for fuel there's no choices.. you either go for gasoline or diesel, and what octane they have is what you get.

    Flash, I would usually fill up (70l) when I go to the gas station. I wish my gauge used to come back up lol. Even though I do have an odd scent in the exhaust, it doesn't get very sooty at all. I would like to adjust the timing but I do not know how. If you know, I would appreciate if you could help me out there.

    Thanks
     
  12. Aug 20, 2013 at 5:09 AM
    #12
    flash9588

    flash9588 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2012
    Member:
    #87138
    Messages:
    247
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Alex
    Abbotsford, BC
    Vehicle:
    It's red.
    I know you can advance or retard your motor on the distributor but that's older motors, with your motor I'm pretty sure you have coil packs. Mine is older so it has a distributor and only one coil but I'm not sure if I have too much adjustment. I wouldn't know how to time your engine, when it comes to that stuff i'm kind of brain dead.
     
  13. Aug 20, 2013 at 6:19 AM
    #13
    Pravesh

    Pravesh [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2013
    Member:
    #110693
    Messages:
    14
    Gender:
    Male
    yes I have coil packs, so no distributor to turn. I guess it is not possible to change my timing
     
  14. Aug 20, 2013 at 6:30 AM
    #14
    MowTaco

    MowTaco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2009
    Member:
    #22530
    Messages:
    3,817
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Kansas
    Vehicle:
    16 Chevrolet Silverado
    It is, but you're getting into fiddling with the ECU at that point. No easy task.

    Sounds like a real head scratcher OP, you said you can smell it in the exhaust? Something is causing too much gas to be injected, normally a sensor somewhere is the culprit but sounds like you got that covered. I really have no idea here, just brainstorming...
     
  15. Aug 20, 2013 at 10:08 AM
    #15
    Pravesh

    Pravesh [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2013
    Member:
    #110693
    Messages:
    14
    Gender:
    Male
    This afternoon i'm going to check the resistance on the camshaft position sensor..
    If I have leaky injectors, would diagnostics pick up on that?
     
  16. Aug 20, 2013 at 11:07 AM
    #16
    Yetimetchkangmi

    Yetimetchkangmi Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2013
    Member:
    #106605
    Messages:
    3,478
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Benjamin
    Newcastle, WA
    Vehicle:
    03 Tacoma 4x4 The Yeti
    ARB front locker, Custom high clearance rear bumper, Custom plate front bumper, mile marker winch PE8, safari snorkel, Deck Plate Mod Fox 2.5 rr DSC, Camburg UCA, squeaky Dakar leafs, 5125 10" and custom 7.5" shackles, thee finest PNW pinstripes, MT-R, Nissan crew cab roof rack??? wtf is that about??? Allpro skids, Rigid duallys President McKinley CB with PA Recaro SRD with Wedge Engineering Morimoto retrofits Champion Rad - Failed Tundra brakes
    A bad MAF could fool the ECU into requesting more fuel = running rich.
    It is far better to run rich than to run lean.

    Start with the easiest and cheapest things first to replace.
    Air Filters
    Spark Plugs and coil packs
    MAFS
    O2 Sensors

    My prior car was very sensitive to unmetered air and bad/failed O2 sensors, etc.

    EDIT: check all those new parts that you replaced...not sure the cam position sensor would cause this. Also, check the drag of differentials/transaxles and the ability to coast.
     
    Last edited: Aug 20, 2013
  17. Aug 20, 2013 at 11:41 AM
    #17
    MowTaco

    MowTaco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2009
    Member:
    #22530
    Messages:
    3,817
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Kansas
    Vehicle:
    16 Chevrolet Silverado
    That was my thought, unless they throw off an oxygen reading downstream I couldn't think of any way they would be detected. And leaking just gasoline wouldn't have any extra oxygen, so I don't think it'd detect anything. It seems like the fuel rail/injectors are pretty much the last thing you haven't checked.
     
  18. Aug 20, 2013 at 3:39 PM
    #18
    Pravesh

    Pravesh [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2013
    Member:
    #110693
    Messages:
    14
    Gender:
    Male
    ben916, I have already replaced air filter and o2 sensor. the MAF reads correct at idle (according to engine manual). Is it possible that it still be defective? If so I will go ahead and replace that and the coil packs together.
    Mowtaco, I am trying to find out if anyone does proper injector servicing where I live. The best I have been able to do so far is an injector cleaner that runs off the fuel rail.
     
  19. Aug 20, 2013 at 3:54 PM
    #19
    Yetimetchkangmi

    Yetimetchkangmi Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2013
    Member:
    #106605
    Messages:
    3,478
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Benjamin
    Newcastle, WA
    Vehicle:
    03 Tacoma 4x4 The Yeti
    ARB front locker, Custom high clearance rear bumper, Custom plate front bumper, mile marker winch PE8, safari snorkel, Deck Plate Mod Fox 2.5 rr DSC, Camburg UCA, squeaky Dakar leafs, 5125 10" and custom 7.5" shackles, thee finest PNW pinstripes, MT-R, Nissan crew cab roof rack??? wtf is that about??? Allpro skids, Rigid duallys President McKinley CB with PA Recaro SRD with Wedge Engineering Morimoto retrofits Champion Rad - Failed Tundra brakes
    A MAF will read correct at idle as it isn't doing anything besides reading idle air flow. you might have a slightly rich condition

    A MAF is a wire that current is passed across. It measures air flow across this wire. With this data, the ECU proportionally adds fuel. Since these are not sealed systems, there is the possibility that the MAF could be dirty or somewhat fouled, which would not return accurate voltages to the ECU. A MAF can be cleaned with MAF cleaner, but with that being know that it will eventually have to be replaced. Also make sure that all supply air connections between MAF and intake are air tight as any unmetered air that does no cross the MAF can cause a rich condition as the O2 sensor will read higher air, thereby add fuel to maintain AFR's (Air to Fuel Ratios)

    Do you know anyone with a working MAF that has the same vehicle as you? Swap it out and check for rich fuel smell.

    I don't know leaking injector symptoms.
     
  20. Aug 20, 2013 at 3:58 PM
    #20
    MGMTacolover55

    MGMTacolover55 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    Member:
    #96545
    Messages:
    4,316
    Gender:
    Male
    Orygun
    Vehicle:
    2013 MGM Taco TRD Off Road
    floor Mats
    You could need new injectors since you say you can smell gas in the exhaust
     

Products Discussed in

To Top