95 4Runner Engine Problems

WaterPoloDude

New member
Im newbie when it comes to things like this, but before I go and take this thing to a shop id like to hear some opinions on what I think are possible major problems.

Im younglin' and this is my first real car (2nd car).
Its a 95 runner with 233k miles on it. We bought the car thinking everything would be fine because the place we brought it from apparently rebuilt the motor and put brand new headers on it.

The truck has 33 inch tires on 35 psi and I get 7 miles to the gallon. THAT IS OUTRAGEOUS.

The trucks check engine light is on, and it gives off a gassey smell, its not like a BIG burst of it but you can smell it if your outside of the car when its running.

The truck has a very weird idle where when its cold and you start it, it idles at 1800rpms. Warm at around 900-1000. It also like to do its own thing an sometime idle at 500-800.

Im assuming there is something wrong with the motor mounts because the car will shake when it gets that low.

On the freeway going into 4th gear between 50-55 the car has this odd shake and vibration. And the RPM gauge drops like 300 rpms when the shake/vibration starts then goes back to where it should be after its gone.

It stutters a lot when you get going. like if your stopped and you press the gas there is really NO power behind it pushing forward. I know its a very weak motor but there is times where it just pulls with no gas and other times were im flooring it and barely going.

Cruise Control does not work.

The cars motor just doesn't sound like everythings right. I know what a 4runner sounds like and it isn't my truck.

If you need some sort of video/audio of the sound I could possibly get it tomorrow.

Take this into consideration, im 18 and I came from a 54 VW Bug. I had a job but had to quit due to surgery from a sporting accident. If this is something that will run me a lot $$$ tell me now so I know to get rid of this thing and look for something more reliable.

Appreciate the time
-Trevor
 
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Rough idle, rich exhaust, low power and poor mileage all sorta add up to one or more cylinders missing, and that could be a crazy easy fix or it could be a doozy - if they really replaced the cylinder heads, it could be just bad plugs or wires. Do a basic tuneup, replacing the air filter, spark plugs, wires, etc. Pull the engine codes and see what they say. Borrow a compression tester from an auto parts store and do a compression test on each cylinder. Download a copy of the Factory Service Manual and buy a hardcopy Haynes or Chiltons repair manual, they'll help for sure.

How long ago did you buy the truck? If you run into something too big for you to feel like fixing, you may be able to fall back on your state's lemon law, if you have one...
 
I really appreciate this advice. I actually was thinking it could be a cylinder, because I mean 7 miles to gallon? Ive had it for about 2 months now, im in California so I don't know to much about it. What would be the easiest way to see if one or more cylinders is missing? The compression test?
 
I really appreciate this advice. I actually was thinking it could be a cylinder, because I mean 7 miles to gallon? Ive had it for about 2 months now, im in California so I don't know to much about it. What would be the easiest way to see if one or more cylinders is missing? The compression test?

The compression test just tests for compression. It won't say anything about fuel or spark, the other two things you need for a cylinder to fire. If you really suspect it's one or two cylinders in particular giving you grief, start yanking spark plug boots one at a time the next time it starts running rough. When you pull one off and the stumble doesn't get worse, you've found a cylinder that isn't firing. Then you can pull that spark plug and sometimes the condition of the plug can give clues as to why that cylinder isn't behaving.

That test won't tell you anything if all the cylinders are missing randomly though - that would point more to a fuel or timing or ignition coil problem. Come to think of it, the engine timing is something else that should be part of the basic tuneup I mentioned earlier. But I'd start with seeing exactly what codes the computer is throwing first. It may be trying to tell you exactly what you need to know. :)
 

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