A couple questions about my engine (95 3.0L)

[kennypinkerton]

I've been enjoying my recently aquired 1995 SR5 V6 for about a month now. I've noticed a couple of things that sort-of concern me about it.

1. Some mornings when I start it, white smoke (or vapor) bellows from the exhaust until the engine warms up some (usually just a few minutes). Also the idle seems a little rough during this time, but smooths out after it's warm. Am I burning something? Do I just need a tune up? or is it possibly something more serious that will need attention soon?

2. When driving my truck after it's been sitting overnight (or long enough to have completely cooled off), the overdrive doesn't engage for a few miles (almost like it's waiting for the transmission to warm up). After it engages the first time, it seems to work right until it sits (and cools off all the way again). If I park at the store and come out 30 minutes later, it still works right. Is this normal? Do I need to have something checked?

Thanks for all the help guys. I hope I have enough of a description of each problem that you-all can help me out.

By the way, here's a picture of my "new" ride...

 

[Yota4runner]

If its still chilly outside, I would imagine the white smoke you are seeing has something to do with that. Have you tried smelling it to make sure it smells okay? like not sweet or acrid. ANd as long as you have no noticeable power loss, or milkshakey colour oil. I don't think it is your Headgakset.

As far as the OD thing is concerned I dunno, I have a 5speed 4Cyl so I don't have OD. :arrow:

 

[jhinderliter]

the smoke is most likely normal condensation in the system...keep an eye on your coolant level for a bit just to be sure these things have been know to have trouble w/ head gaskets...I have the same problem w/ my tranny and know a few other guys that do as well...i fixed it by installing a remote stater!!
just warm the truck up before you drive it in the cold and itll be fine..

 

[954Runner]

My tranny is the same way and im glad im not the only one but i honestly think it is a Toyota thing because my parents have a Pontiac Vibe (same thing as a Toyota Matrix) and it does the same thing in the morning when it is cold.

 

[kennypinkerton]

Well, I've been keeping check of all my fluids since I bought the 4runner, so I feel better about the white fog/smoke. The overdrive thing doesn't bother me too much either now. But the rough idle still (until warm) sort-of does. I tried revving the motor while it was idling rough, and it acted like the motor was missing. (not much power, and still rough). But, just like the other problems, after warm it runs great, and no problems at all. Maybe it's just a v-6 Toyota thing.

 

[jhinderliter]

it just do a tune up for staters..slap a set of plugs, wires cap and rotor...also do the fuel filter

 

[Gryphon]

Yeah, I ditto the tune up parts and the condensation theory. Living in a cold climate, it is common to see this on any vehicle until it warms up. Some are worse than others...I notice my '90 V6 is one of the worse ones, but it warms up fast and goes away usually within a few blocks.

The stumbling idle sounds like a tune-up is in order. Never a bad thing to do to a new rig anyway. Same with a full fluid change. I changed everything (axles, tranny, tcase, engine...) except the antifreeze, and I am doing that this summer.

OD engaging in an auto tranny: dunno, mine is a 5 speed, but my Mazda 626 takes a while to start shifting right when it is cold too. I think anything hydraulic that needs a certain operating temp will do things like this when cold. I'd just keep an eye on it, but not worry too much.

Nice rig!

 

[mikes4runner]

The OD is normal all part of the warm-up.

Pull your plugs see what kind of condition they are in.

BTW nice truck

 

[kennypinkerton]

Thanks guys. I feel alot better about the whole thing now. I never noticed the condensation thing before on my other cars, but they're both 1.8L 4-bangers (1977 MGB, and 1993 Eagle Talon) and pump nearly half the air that this 3L v-6 does. Also, they both have rear exit exhausts instead of side exit.

I'll look into getting a tune up soon. There was a reciept in the owners manual where all the fluids (diffs and tranny included) was changed about 1500 miles ago, as well as all the other service records for the 135,000 miles it has been around.

So far the only thing really wrong with it is a missing side moulding on the front passenger door (visible in the picture above), and the antenna has been bent before, and doesn't retract all the way.

I think I got a pretty good one for being 10 years old.

 

[mikes4runner]

Here is the fix for your antenna:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8838&highlight=power+antenna+fix