3.0 performance issue...

[lightfighter]

So, I picked up a 94 3.0 5speed 4x4 4runner. It's high mile, 240k, but it was cheap clean and runs well... Except:

Through 2000-2500 rpm there is a slight hesitation, but mostly just in second gear takeoffs from 10-15 mph. my first thought was the smog controls, but driving about 200 miles (and getting almost 18mpg from it), I'm starting to think its just the clutch, or maybe I'm lugging it lower than the 3.0 likes to run? It doesn't do it if I drive like gramma.

Thought?

 

[snow junky]

There could be many things. But start with your vafm and tps

 

[lightfighter]

There could be many things. But start with your vafm and tps

I ordered the Haynes manual, but in the meantime, what's vafm?

And what's the happy part of the powerband for a 3.0? This hesitation is pretty minor, and I wanna rule out that I'm just lugging it since I haven't actually driven a manual for years.

 

[fourwd1]

Volumetric Air Flow Meter

Start by checking your TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) to see if it is properly adjusted.
Check the FAQs stickied at the top of the page for How-Tos if your Haynes manual doesn't cover it.

 

[snow junky]

My 93 powerband hit at about 3000 It shouldn't be droping in power then pick up tho

 

[Wildcat]

my 95 does the same thing. i am going to check the tps like suggested. i will post my results. please post yours.

 

[dirty dangler]

ive seen the afm cause issues like this before on the 3.slow. As stated before be sure to check your tps and do a good cleaning on the afm. Have you done a basic tune up since you got it? plugs,wires, cap and rotor, fuel filter ect?

 

[lightfighter]

the guy I bought it from seemed to be on top of regular service. the plugs and wires are new, fuel filter recent... dude runs a shop that works on hondas and acuras for a living and owned this truck since 2001(i carfaxed it). it passed smog a few months ago in Tucson(not sure how telling that is). i had a buddy drive it and he was on the fence as to whether or not the clutch slips.

i am on a work assignment 75 miles from home for a few more weeks, and it runs good enuf that im just going with it for now. I guess i'll just have to see what it does until i get some time to poke at it, or it breaks down....

 

[Wildcat]

Yesterday i cleaned my MAF with MAF cleaner spray and cleaned the Throttle body with tb cleaner and tooth brush. The tb was caked inside with black gunk. Got it as clean inside as you can without removing it. Sprayed some in the butterfly shaft and blew out with air. Truck runs a little smoother and it doesnt surge in 2nd or 3rd now. Not saying this fixed it but it seems to have helped, at least temporarily.

 

[lightfighter]

Idl to e2 shows 5400 ohms closed throttle and goes down gradually through the throttle range to about 1200 ohms.

Its Toast I guess.

 

[lightfighter]

Fixt

Put a new TPS on it, $102 from the dealer(by the time i added shipping the off brand replacement was 70, and toyota got it to me the next day for nothing extra, so why risk it?)

issue is all gone.

after a minute of gawking at the bottom screw, and the available collection of screw drivers, I decided to just pull the throttle body, but was on a test drive in about an hour. Easyeasy.:biggrin1:

broke some vaccum lines, of course, since they are almost 20 years old, and put tape patches on them till i can get a roll of new hose.

also managed to break off a chuck of the intake rubber tube, right where it clamps to the throttle body. that took more tape.

So now im shopping for a aftermarket tube or a replacement. I hate to spend much money on something like that tho.

 

[Clone of the Mean]

I repaired my intake tube with 5 rolls of black electrical tape. Hell of a lot cheaper than a new intake..... Been 2 years now.

 

[mikebontoft]

Put a new TPS on it, $102 from the dealer(by the time i added shipping the off brand replacement was 70, and toyota got it to me the next day for nothing extra, so why risk it?)

issue is all gone.

after a minute of gawking at the bottom screw, and the available collection of screw drivers, I decided to just pull the throttle body, but was on a test drive in about an hour. Easyeasy.:biggrin1:

broke some vaccum lines, of course, since they are almost 20 years old, and put tape patches on them till i can get a roll of new hose.

also managed to break off a chuck of the intake rubber tube, right where it clamps to the throttle body. that took more tape.

So now im shopping for a aftermarket tube or a replacement. I hate to spend much money on something like that tho.

I've been dreading a new TPS but I know mine is junk.

I taped up my intake tube as well....

You can check out ebay for those cheap chinese intake kits. I got the half intake but they have full ones that will replace that boot for not much more. like $30 I think.

here's mine:

 

[lightfighter]

thats a couple clues that i wont find a useable intake tube at a junk yard....:ranger:


oh, wait, just found it at rock auto .com for 33 bucks...

 

[mikebontoft]

It's worth a try... but you're right.