'94 4Runner Manual, 3.0 sputters bad going up hills

[Swedishgem13]

Hi all, I've had my 4Runner for 13 years now, but just recently it's been giving me major problems. It's hard to start, and when it does start, the engine runs very shaky for a while, and it sounds like the tail pipe is umm.... passing gas. Could it be something like an O2 sensor that's giving me exhaust problems? It seems like something is clogged, because when I step on the gas peddle, it takes a couple seconds for it to respond and it gives a weird clogged, sputtery sound, then the gas seems to finally kick in at higher speeds. When it's cold, it seems to run worse, and the more it warms up it seems to run a little smoother when the temp gauge gets to where it should be (right about half way). It also sputters really bad when going up hills. Like a cylinder is missing. Seems like a spark plug issue, which I did just replace 5 out of the 6 a couple months ago, but the last one is stuck in there, and can't seem to get the darn thing out. Hoping the spark plug is my issue, because eventually I will find someone who can get the thing out.

I don't think it's a head gasket issue because I got the engine done just a couple years ago. Had the cylinders re-machined, new head gaskets, hoses and everything. At least I'm keeping my fingers crossed it's not the heads again.

I'm running without a thermostat and have been for at least 6 months because I was having overheating problems a while back. We replaced the radiator and water pump, and it was still overheating. Finally, we took out the thermostat and it stopped overheating. We never put the thermostat back in, and it seems to be okay, even though I cycle through coolant a little faster now.

So just today I went to check the oil and coolant level. Oil was good, but when I went to open the radiator, the coolant started to come out, even though the engine was completely cold! I know that I always have to open the radiator cap slowly, and "burp" it to let the air/pressure out when it's warm, but didn't expect this when the engine was cold. I'm thinking it might have something to do with the problems I'm having with my car.

Any help input would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[2ndGen4runner4x4]

Fuel filter? Clogged cat? Which plug is stuck?.. number 6 ?
You may want to get a test kit to check the head gasket... they sell them at any auto parts store.

 

[Swedishgem13]

Yes, it's the number 6 that's stuck. I was thinking maybe it could be a fuel filter, but what would be the symptoms of it being the catalytic converter?

 

[Footofgod]

Yes, it's the number 6 that's stuck. I was thinking maybe it could be a fuel filter, but what would be the symptoms of it being the catalytic converter?

Similar to fuel problems. If the exhaust can't get out of the cat, it will act like it is not getting fuel in the other end.

 

[ToyoTech]

wonder if your water jackets in the block maybe have blockages due to previously running incorrect coolant or just all water. should really figure out why its overheating with tstat installed. did you install a new radiator cap?

 

[Swedishgem13]

What are the water jackets? We took the thermostat out because it was still overheating after replacing the radiator and water pump. But realized the new thermostat was the wrong temp, so we just took it out and never put one back in.

It's almost sounding like it could be the catalytic converter. I have no idea what that would entail to get the job done. I'll have to check my book out for that.

 

[dubs283]

What are the water jackets? We took the thermostat out because it was still overheating after replacing the radiator and water pump. But realized the new thermostat was the wrong temp, so we just took it out and never put one back in.

the water jackets are the cooling chambers around the cylinders - you may have a blockage there not allowing water to cycle through the block

the catalytic converter should be removable from the exhaust system - if the insides start to break down they can actually melt and cause blockages

try putting the correct t-stat in the motor, the 3VZ-E engines are picky about coolant temp