Looking for input on the engine in my 98 (3.4)

So I have had my 98 for quite a long time. I have over 200K but don't really know how much is on it. Anyway - When my engine is cold it will misfire and have a fuel smell but then goes away. My coolant isn't going anywhere and doesn't have a sign of leakage. When I bought this many years ago one of the spark plug holes had a heli coil plug in it. It blew out not too long ago and I put a new insert in. I cleaned out the hole and it's remaining in there and runs quite well when warm. Gets good mPg. What I am debating is replacing the engine. I have had the R150F professionally rebuilt, have all new suspension and countless hours on this pickup. I really enjoy it and don't see getting rid of it for anything else. There are many options. A used engine, a rebuilt engine, a yotashop one looks like the best bet but not too sure on spending that much. I have been quoted just shy of 4K for a local place to rebuild my engine if I take it out but would almost like to get a core to have them do it if I go that route. All opinions appreciated Could be a bad injector or something with that screwed up spark plug hole. I know I should probably do a compression check (haven't done that yet).

 

Words of sage advice...
don't ever ask an opinion from a gen2 or gen3

Over 200k but not over 300k yet?

 

No. Probably more like 225-230K on the engine. Questionable history before I got it.

 

By cold do you mean frigid & well below freezing cold?

 

No. Just starting it up after it's been sitting. I am wondering if I have a coil pack going out but not throwing a code yet. I have replaced 2 and the one I haven't replaced is the OEM. I am almost hoping though that it could be fuel related or not igniting. With the smell of unburnt fuel and then it clearing up is strange though. No CEL yet but maybe it will throw one soon.

 

Where do you smell the fuel?

 

Where does the fuel smell seem strongest, under hood or tailpipe.?

 

Because none of them ever owned or worked on a 1st gen? And the Toyota techs in those forums aren't as savvy as you?

Thanks for the heads up!

 

$4000 for a re-build that you R&R - uh hell no. If you have an inkling of true affection for this truck stop being as questionable as the owners before you. Stop your Whinging, run a scan tool see if there is a pending code, next is the compression test it will give you the true indicators of which direction to go. Both tools can be rented or have Vato Zone do the scan for free.

 

When I am in the cab and starting it up. Only momentarily though.

 

What should something like that cost if I pull it out and bring the engine to them? Seems kind of normal priced from around my area. I have a scan tool and nothing has came up yet hence my confusion. The compression test will be next if I can't find anything else.

 

Yea 4k isn't bad at all, and then you avoid any shipping charges you'd deal with from a more reputable, boutique engine shop (Yotashop, Yota1Performance). I'd keep an eye out for the cheapest junkyard 5vz you can find, have them rebuild it, and then just stash the new engine for when your current one eventually calls it quits, or when you've got nothing better to do other than do the swap.

I plan to do that with mine, and slowly acquire everything to go turbo on a new engine. No current problems at 287k on mine, so no rush. But knowing I want to keep my truck forever makes a few thousand $ investment seem well worth it.

 

that’s kind of where I am at. The cost of a newer Tacoma right now is just ridiculous so going this route might be a good option.

 

Myself I go with the option of buying a used engine and having it rebuilt local.

To me not having to deal with shipping and dealing face to face is worth a little more cost.

Then once the engine is finished get some help and swap the engines .

Good luck.

 

Unfortunately the misfire monitor logic in the early years is not what it is today so diagnosing this on a cold motor that does it for such a short period is going to be difficult. Having said that, are you running two electrode plugs that are in good shape ?

 

What is the motivation for wanting to do an engine swap? What you are describing sounds like a brief and minor nuisance that shouldn't require a complete engine replacement.

 

Gen1andDone is literally the absolut coolest user ID this taco guy has EVER seen

 

I am running a new set of ngk dual electrodes as recommended by members on here. I am replacing all my coil packs with denso units and ngk plug wires along with it. I have one oem coil pack, 1 Napa brand one and one from oreilleys. I did blow a plug out a while back and had to fix that so from what I have searched it could be related to coil pack issues. Needs them anyway I think.

 

age of pickup. Wanting to put a fresh engine in there. When I did my first spark plug change many years ago I found a thread-cert in cylinder 3. Someone stripped out the plug hole. It eventually came out many miles later and I redid it with a new one. Holding fine but not sure what other damage it could have done. Not losing any oil or coolant though so mainly just want to have that piece of mind. Used engine while I keep running this one sounds like a good idea at this point.

 

Is your hard start worse in the winter ?

Does the engine idle up when it smooths out.

I am thinking Coolant Temperature Sender not working correct.