87 4runner bad performance

danieldotcom

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Hey there I have a 1987 4runner Sr5 turbo I just purchased a few months back. My mechanic got it to pass smog by changing the intake manifold gasket tunning the valves and timming. He also changes hoses, fuel filter, checked compression and fuel injectors. and all is well. Runs fairly great, besides three things that Im having a problem with

1. After taking several trips I've noticed the poor gas milage, about 12-15 mpg. So I asked my mechanic and he really couldn't think of really anything that would be the problem (since it passed smog) and the truck rolls great. so I went ahead and changed the sparkplugs and the cables, the o2 sensor and it helped very little, but the problem still continues. And I idle at 1200-1300 in park.

2. I've also noticed the very sluggish performance going up small freeway ramps or hills. Ive learned over the years owning other cars with the 22r isn't too powerful stock but my 4runner nearly Boggs out going up hill. So even when I give it more gas It doesn't help. Even on level ground if I give it a lot of gas it Boggs. I was told it could be the AFM, so I opened it up just to check the conditions inside and all the springs and contacts were in good shape. (but I don't know how to check if its functioning improperly)

3. I have a small oil leak and I see it might be coming from the turbo :( its leaking onto a steel coolant line on the drivers side. Could this be a big problem? I'm not familiar with turbos.


Please if anyone has any comments or tips I am completely open to all suggestions and very thankful for all input. Again, thankyou very much


Despite all these little problems its still a pleasure to finally own one of these legendary trucks!!!
 
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Thanks a lot man, I was expecting the worst with that turbo. Even tho the cluster still reads its giving boost the turbo is blown? I'm going to shop around for one, and a stronger manifold. Any other suggestions to get this baby running better?
 
I had an eclipse way back when, turbo 420a t3t4 all I can tell you is turbo engines are sensitive lol.. everything must be in proper order to maximize that boost.
 
Thanks a lot man, I was expecting the worst with that turbo. Even tho the cluster still reads its giving boost the turbo is blown? I'm going to shop around for one, and a stronger manifold. Any other suggestions to get this baby running better?

The "turbo boost" light is a gimmick on these trucks. It will come on regardless of whether or not you are building boost, or even have a turbo installed for that matter.

22RTE-Trucks.com

The above link has tons of information and more than you would want to know about these trucks/engines.
 
Someone help me if I wrong, but aren't these things supposed to idle around 800rpm? If you are idling at 1300rpm I would say that something is bad or needs to adjusted. Check the FSM.
 
Well for some reason my idle adjustment screw won't go any farther down to lower the idle its like stuck on hight idle. It confuses me, can my idle adjustment screw be the wrong one? It should be able go in farther
 
Well for some reason my idle adjustment screw won't go any farther down to lower the idle its like stuck on hight idle. It confuses me, can my idle adjustment screw be the wrong one? It should be able go in farther

Check the knob on the side of your upper intake plenum. If the knob is all the way out then your idle will be high even if your actual idle adjustment is all the way in.
 
Hmm I think mine is broken if we are talking about the same knob

There's only one plastic knob on the side of the intake plenum. It has a few vacuum lines going into it and has one larger one going to the throttle body.

If it's broken then I would suggest replacing it.
 
Yeah Its the same one, ill look for it online right now. You happen to know what its called by chance? Thanks

I'm not 100% sure what it's called. I have an extra one on my old turbo upper intake plenum. Shoot me a pm with your paypal address and I'll bill you $10 for shipping and i'll send it your way.
 
That would be great! Thank you so much for your help! The idle recently just jumped to about 1900 and was jumping up and down. I got to find out what's wrong
 
I'm not 100% sure what it's called. I have an extra one on my old turbo upper intake plenum. Shoot me a pm with your paypal address and I'll bill you $10 for shipping and i'll send it your way.

Hey thanks again, I popped it on but didn't really make too much of a difference but I believe my EGR vale is bad. I tested it by following the directions on my repair manual, and it seems it needs to be replaced. Hopefully it solves my problems.
 

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