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Old 11-05-2019, 12:05 PM #1
shadowschild shadowschild is offline
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Soldier down

Hello,



I’m writing this as a post mortem, the open wound still very fresh.

My trusty 5 speed 97 SR5 4runner with 256,000 km is being scrapped and donated to a kidney foundation.



On Sunday I started the truck, which had not been used in a week and was low on gas (no light yet, just ½ way between the last 2 lines).

It started fine, but there was a rough idle for several seconds and then it went back to normal. This never happened before, although in hindsight I have felt a rough idle for maybe 1 or 2 seconds after startup in the past, but nothing as long as what happened on Sunday. After gassing up at a nearby petro Canada (91 octain) I drove about 15 minutes to my parents place.



As I came to a red light at an intersection just down the street from my destination, I noticed the engine was rough idling again, a sense of dread came across me like something was really wrong.

As Im praying the engine doesn’t die on me at that intersection and sweating bullets as the light takes forever to turn green, I looked out the right side view mirror at the exhaust smoke and it seemed more white, more smokey then normal and I smelled something odd adding to my general distress. Keep in mind it’s cold here in November so the exhaust is always visible.



The light turned green & I accelerated, the car started to make an aweful sound, I thought maybe the muffler had a hole or something which has happened before. I drove up to 50km/h and felt the motor “skip” a beat, I arrived at my destination about 15 seconds after the horrifying intersection. I went to have dinner and about 2 hours later tried to start the car, in the hopes it would make it to the nearby mechanic (about 10 minutes away). Unfortunately when I turned the key I heard a terrible sound like metal hitting metal. I tried a couple of times but gave up, called towing and the next day my mechanic called, engine is finished.



Considering I had the truck for 12 years and did maybe 25k km in that time, I never expected the engine to go. It had plenty of oil so whatever happened is a complete mystery to me. It did leak some oil from the valves I think but we are talking little drops it’s normal as the seals do get old. Anyways it was a soldier and will be missed, a lot of memories.
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Old 11-05-2019, 12:13 PM #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shadowschild View Post
My trusty 5 speed 97 SR5 4runner with 256,000 km is being scrapped and donated to a kidney foundation.
May he/she rest in peace and have the donation help those in need. The love for these 4Runners is real and when they do finally go it can be pretty depressing.

Whats your next move? 4th or 5th gen?
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Old 11-05-2019, 12:20 PM #3
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white exhaust... misfire... probably suffered a head gasket failure and then hydro-locked when you went to start it
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Old 11-05-2019, 12:42 PM #4
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Mechanic called, said the timing belt broke and was able to turn some of the engine but it reaches a point where it completely blocks. Something seized up in there, not worth throwing money at an old car.

As for hydro lock is was a dry day.
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Old 11-05-2019, 12:48 PM #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shadowschild View Post
Mechanic called, said the timing belt broke and was able to turn some of the engine but it reaches a point where it completely blocks. Something seized up in there, not worth throwing money at an old car.

As for hydro lock is was a dry day.
Doesn't matter if it's a dry day if your cylinders are filled with coolant! If the timing belt broke I wonder if something is preventing your cams from turning.
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Old 11-05-2019, 12:54 PM #6
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Somebody on here would pay good money (relatively) for a 5-speed swap donor...

-Charlie
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Old 11-05-2019, 12:58 PM #7
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These are non interference engines so a broken timing belt won't cause any damage to the engine. That's a 5 speed and 160K miles! Wish I can buy it back from the foundation. I am seriously trying to locate a 5 speed 4runner that needs some fixing and getting it back its former glory. This is in Canada correct?
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Old 11-05-2019, 04:18 PM #8
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Yes canada, unfortunately i live in a dense urban area and storing a vehicle to sell for parts isnt something viable. Parking spots are hard to come by and my indoor parking doesnt make towing feasible.

That said, on reflection i learned a valuable lesson. Should have changed the timing belt after max 10 years, instead of relying on km. My situation is uncommon in that I put about 2500 km per year, as i mostly use public transit. Saddens me of how proud i was of its longevity while neglecting it. Next time i buy a car will be alot wiser.
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Old 11-05-2019, 04:31 PM #9
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The 5VZ-FE is a non-interference engine, you can break timing belts all week long and it will not damage your engine. My guess, as others have stated is you blew a head gasket (rough idle on cold start up) and eventually it got bad to the point where you were misfiring and blowing out white smoke (coolant in the exhaust). Eventually the leak got so bad you hyrdo locked your engine which is why it will not turn over.

Been there, done that, several times....

Either way, sorry for your loss...
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Old 11-05-2019, 04:59 PM #10
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Interesting point of view, now you have me thinking.
Several years ago on an offroad journey up the laurentian mountains, i pierced my radiator climbing a steep road, didnt see a fallen branch sticking out until it was too late. My friend at the time in his 4 runner towed me, we would stop every 5 minutes to let the car cool off and replenish radiator with water but it would just pour out. Maybe that damaged the gasket. Soon after i startes noticing drops of oil on the floor after driving, not alot just a couple. Maybe i ignored the warning signs.
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Old 11-05-2019, 06:14 PM #11
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You could have taken care of the rig better, but, seems like no matter what...it just happens (blown head gasket). Would sticking to a rigorous anti freeze change schedule and/or staying on top of the maintenance prevented it...maybe.
Hoping you'll stick around and look for another 3rd gen to create more happy memories. Sorry for your loss on the older one.
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Old 11-05-2019, 06:18 PM #12
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Throw $3500 at it to get a long block installed then go for 200k or more. I mean if you like the rig and feel it's worth salvaging.

How was the rust underneath?
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