Engine check and trac off lights on, losing power while driving. Repairs done, issue persists

While driving home Thursday afternoon. When accelerated the engine check and trac off lights came on and the truck was losing power. I had to stop and turn off the engine and then turn it on again. The check engine and trac off were still lit. I did a diagnostic using my FIXD OBD and got a P0303 and C2124. It's telling me the P0303 is misfire on Cylinder 3. I took my truck to Firestone and they came out with P160500. They replaced the sparkplugs, the coils and cost me about $600 for the parts and labor. They told me that all they are doing are preventive maintenance. It could fix the problem but it might not. After they finished I picked up the truck and they told me that they did a test drive and they were not getting the check engine light and the truck was working normally. When I drove the car on the highway, the problem still exist. I had to stop on the side of the highway and turn the engine off and on. The next day I took the truck to Toyota Dealer and ever since they are doing multiple diagnostic. They said this morning that the truck was getting multiple misfire on Cylinder 1 and 2. They were getting P0300. Right now I'm just waiting while they are doing another diagnostic. This time it will be more expensive $700 just for diagnostic.
My question for everybody, is this a common issue for the Tacoma or just randome?

 

There is a thread on a few people that had the plastic flap in the intake manifold break and become loose , causing a check engine light under acceleration but otherwise running ok . May be worth checking it out

 

could also be a burnt exhaust valve as some people have had

 

Thank you very much. When Toyota calls me again, I'll ask them about that.

 

How many miles are on your truck? Are you the first owner?

 

I have at least 96,000. Just received a call from Toyota. There’s about 80% leakage on Cylinder 3 that requires overhauling the whole cylinders. They will need to take it to the machine shop to do the valve jobs. It’s going to be at least $8000.

 

That’s a tough pill to swallow. You think you buy quality when you buy Toyota but …

 

was hoping that wasn't the case...

 

It is a shame that Firestone led you so far astray AND replaced your OE coils with likely garbage aftermarket units. Might be much cheaper to swap the whole engine out with a good used unit.

 

@Junkhead any ideas what happened here? Another 3.5 motor blown? Hmm.

 

Oh, Man. That’s not right.

 

First owner? Second owner? Third owner?

How often has the oil been changed these past 96K miles?

 

There was a thread earlier on an engine replacement. Either get a new head or go for the used replacement engine with a good warranty. I see the head and gaskets are about $1200. Labor not sure but can’t be more than $2000(guess). If you go with a different engine replace the coolant bypass while you’re there

 

It is, really sucks for OP.

So should I tag you in every thread where poster is super happy with his taco and has had no issues? Orrrr?

 

Myself and a hundred others around here just blocked him, he's got no life and comes off the mountain only to gloat when some's truck fails. Seems a miserable life to live.

 

Yeah seems that way unfortunately.

I’ll be adding him to my special list.

 

All these years, I've only been buying Toyota because I trust that they will last longer than most brand. I never realized just 6 years later I will be paying $10,000 or more for the cylinders that need to be overhaul due to leakage. It's very frustrating. I don't know if I trust Tacoma again.

 

I always have my truck OIL change every 5000 miles. It tells me every 5000 miles that the maintenance is required and I always take it to Firestone. I don't know why I have this problem now. Also they are telling me that some gas will cost this problem. I guess going to Costco who has the same gas as ARCO was not a good idea. Paying less for gas is not always a good idea for your car.

 

$8k sounds beyond excessive. I would contact a reputable independent shop and see how much they'd charge to install a remanufactured or used head.

 

I'm sorry this happened to you. I don't believe it was the gas. I also don't buy the 10k (or 8k, I can't read good apparently) repair bill. Anything short of a crate motor install at that price is robbery.

I know many people have had good luck at Firestone. I have not. Any repair, alignment, or oil change I have paid Firestone to do has required at least one bring-it-back-and-fix-it, and with an overall average of having to bring it back twice.

I hope you get it resolved. If it were me I'd pull the car, eat the diagnostic, and find an independent (not a dealer and not a franchise) specialist. You have much better odds of getting it done right and paying less if you do that.