1989 4-runner, first time owner

[vkmultra]

Hey there.
My 1989 pickup just died and i picked up this old baby....
I'm new to this site but wanted to get some help with questions before i take it in to a mechanic.
This is a V-6 with 180,000 miles on what appears to be an original engine.
First question.....engine starts great and runs strong but there is evidence of oil leaks around the engine compartment and I can smell what i think to be burning oil. Today I also saw some smoke coming from underneath the truck. It has been siting for about 2 weeks. Any advice?
I'll be heading to the yard to find some replacement parts for the damaged bumpers and rust...the interior is in great shape but I need a new drivers seat.

Any other advice or opinions would be much appreciated....
cheers

 

[fourwd1]

there is evidence of oil leaks around the engine compartment and I can smell what i think to be burning oil. Today I also saw some smoke coming from underneath the truck

One of those leaks may be dripping down on some part of the exhaust.
You just have to start looking. When it's smoking finding the source should be easier.
Valve cover gaskets may be a place to start looking.

 

[boscounderfoot]

.....engine starts great and runs strong but there is evidence of oil leaks around the engine compartment and I can smell what i think to be burning oil. Today I also saw some smoke coming from underneath the truck.....

That sounds like valve cover gaskets. I had identical symptoms, the smell, the smoke, etc. on my '89. The driver side is a breeze to replace, but the passenger side is a whole different story.

 

[boscounderfoot]

......Oh and I forgot to say welcome to the site! And sweet truck man!

 

[vkmultra]

White smoke continues

Thanks for the thoughts...after reading more, I'm starting to think that I will be having to deal with a head gasket issue in the near future. Almost every morning that i start it up there is white smoke pouring out of the exhaust for about 1 minute...then done.
So my question....is there preventative steps to take with this problem or do I wait until the truck is overheating and ????
I'd like to start putting some money into this truck...should i start with the engine?
If I take some pics of the engine could you guys help me diagnose which gaskets (if not all) are leaking?
There is a lot of oil down there...but she still runs good!!

 

[yotarob]

You should start by doing a compression test to check your head gaskets. I would definatly put the engine work first. Welcome to the 1st gen 4runner club & good luck.

 

[boscounderfoot]

Take the truck to the local car wash and clean the engine compartment, chassis and the underside of the truck completely. Then take some pics if you want, place newspaper or cardboard under the truck and follow the drips. But I'm betting your culprit will be the valve cover gaskets and I'm guessing they were probably replaced in the past but the surface wasn't cleaned up, they used RTV, they used cheap gaskets or they over-torqued the bolts.....Or they did all of the above.
As for the head gaskets, call Toyota and ask them if your truck ever had the head gasket replacement done. If you're lucky, you'll get free head gaskets and valve cover gaskets to boot. Good luck!

 

[vkmultra]

thanks for the investigative insights...
Did Toyota have a recall on the head gaskets for this model year 4runner? I can't imagine toyota to be inclined to replace parts on a truck over 20years old????
I'll post after I clean the thing up and see where she's drippin'

 

[KidVermicious]

Recall is a recall. Somebody posted a link in the General forum where you can check your VIN to see if there's any outstanding work. Or just drive it to the dealer.

 

[vkmultra]

Finally had the truck checked out by a professional. The engine is leaking oil in a few spots, but the worst one is the right side valve cover. He quoted ~$300 for the job but fore warned me that more problems might arise if he tries to just replace that gasket. Any thoughts?

Also he said that I needed to have the ball joints, idler arm and shocks replaced. Thought it would run me about 1K. He said that basically the whole front end should be replaced. Again, any thoughts?

Otherwise its just a rust issue....a big one :bravo:

Thanks guys!!!

 

[WoodsRunner88]

Welcome to the site, well I heard the same thing from a local mechanic when I took my 4Runner to get a new exhaust. I don't know how rusty your subframe is but if it is like mine it looks pretty bad. Replacing ball joints is a job if you don't have special tools and or lots of rust. Ball Joints from Toyota run from 60 to 70 dollars and just take a lot of time to do if the rust fights you. I would say do a suspension check your self by jacking up your 4runner under the lower skidplate bolts and have both tires off the ground. Then try to torque the tire from the 3 and 9 oclock position and then from the 12 and 6 position see if there is any excessive play. If it makes clunking noises when you do this then you need to replace some steering joints and or ball joints. Also push down on the tires to see how much up and down play there is in the upper ball joints if it moves more then about an 1/8-1/4 inch then your upper ball joint is in need of a replacement. Hope this helps. Good Luck