Recent content by Hippo393

How long does unleaded gasoline stay OK in the gas tank whilst the 4Runner is getting fixed? The 1997 4Runner V6 in question blew a head gasket in March of 2023. Had her towed back to the house that day, and am still putting her back together. At the time of the incident, we had and still...

I got it on! Re-read all your posts, and re-watched that Better than Chiggers video and it went on somewhat easily, installed the tensioner, pulled the pin, and rotated the crankshft 2 full revolutions, and it is dead-on. You guys are the best. It only took me a year and a half of being...

Well I was trying/hoping to not have to pull the crankshaft pulley & lower timing cover. The YT video made that looks so easy without having to do all that. Is there literally no other way to do slide the upper timing belt onto the crankshafts? Engine is at TDC. I'm about to waltz into...

Good tricks, thank you all! For clarity, It is an OEM belt that I had replaced a few years ago. However this was not a full tear-down timing belt job. I only removed the top half of the engine, and am re-using the existing belt. I slid the belt off the cams & idler pulley and clamped it...

Status post-head gasket blow in '23, Replaced with resurfaced heads (v6) and gasket set. Somehow easily slid off timing belt in the beginning, but now have no idea how to simply slide it back on. I have removed the timing tensioner, thinking that was the problem. No, it's something else, and...

What's the difference? Never heard of a "decked head". Thanks!

Thanks for the responses, and intel of the Yota.com dealio. Yes I pretty much have to replace every gasket from stem to stern since I took 'em all off (intake and exhaust manifolds, stat, etc.). Yes that Yota gasket set is the exact one I was eyeing, thanks! Took the heads to a machine shop...

Got my 1997 4Runner's 3.4L V6 apart to replace both head gaskets, as (at least) one blew suddenly in March on the way to work, and 45 seconds later, the temp gauge pegged and engine quit. I thought my rig was on fire there was so much smoke, but thankfully discovered that it was only coming out...

Successfully had the rear u-joint replaced by a shop. Cost about $135. Much better drive now. Amazing how much easier it is to have someone else do that job when we have a newborn. :)

Did a search for 3rd Generation Universal Joint, and got 439 threads. Gah!! I suck at searching! Got a bad U-joint on the rear driveshaft-to-rear-axle on a '97 rear wheel drive 4Runner. Gave me a serious humming/vibration at 55MPH or higher. Is that something that a DIY'er can ordinarily...

Welp, tried this and it squealed like Jim Carrey in Dumb-n-dumber when he asked "Wanna hear the most annoying noise in the world??" Little Ceaser: I do not know if the idler pulley had ever been changed....would that explain cold compressor seize? I know it's the belt squealing over an AC...

LittleCaesar, thanks for helping out this poor Ohio State Buckeye fan. :third: This is what is odd.....when cold, it is as if the compressor clutch locks up whilst the belt is turning = God Awful Squeal. After several minutes of driving without the A/C on, THEN I push the A/C button, I'll get...

Tim, Thanks for that video, it was awesome and very well done! Many, many kudos. Both you and the cameraman have had great experience in this line of work. :yo: Getting to the bolts on the power steering is a huge PIA. I just bought ratcheting metric wrenches like you showed which should...

I'll try that. I'll be a dirty bird if that works. I've never had to add oil to the system...is that done by the compressor service valve, or just thru the regular means as if adding more refrigerant? That I can probably figure out, but any advice is greatly appreciated. BTW I have a new...

Just got to this today, outside temps were around 80*F: Hi pressure at idle was 175, low 34. at 1000-1200 rpms, the high went down to about 155, low to about 22. What does this tell you? Is it actually underfilled? The A/C blows an epic 39*F when driving, but it takes a good 15-20 minutes...