Advice needed

[Laceyblue]

Hello!
I am new to the forum but have read it often. I've just never posted
I have a 2002 4runner sr5 2wd. Last weekend the check engine light, trac off light, and vsc trac light went on. I took it to the family mechanic. He said it looks as though I need new spark plugs and wires but he couldn't be sure. He said after he did that he would check and see if that fixed the problem or not. I took it into Toyota yesterday for a recall and had them also check why the light was on. They called and said that there was a misfired spark but upon further inspection my spark plugs and wires were fine. But... There is coolant in one if the cylinders. In order to fix this problem they need to remove the entire head of the engine and send it out to get checked and resealed. Apparently this is going to cost $2300! Is this reasonable? I am so torn up! I just paid it off 3 days ago too!! And I absolutely love my 4runner!! I just want to be sure I'm not getting hosed here. Any help you can pass along would be awesome! Thanks!!

 

[Kung]

Uh, unless I'm mistaken (and I very well could be), that combination of lights does NOT indicate coolant in the cylinder. It has been resolved one of several ways by members on this site, but they were all MUCH less 'emergent' - for instance, a catalytic converter replacement, replacing the evaporator, tightening the gas cap, etc.

Based solely on what you've written here, I would ask where you've taken it, research the dealership themselves with others, and I'd probably get a trusted third party to look into it. You also might drive it (if it's not far) to somewhere where the codes can be read, such as Auto Zone or O'Reilly's.

Personally, I have a REAL tough time believing that you had coolant in the cylinder, yet it drove just fine (other than the lights).

Here's one of the many threads on this dash light combination.

Check engine light, VSC TRAC & TRAC OFF lights

 

[Laceyblue]

So.... It does have a very rough idle when I first start it up. It lasts for no more than 2 minutes but it is very rough. Besides that I don't notice anything wrong really just the lights on. But I have read from other posts that the trac lights can be triggered on when the check engine light turns in in general? That's what I've read at least but I have no idea on the validity of that. Im picking it up from the dealer Monday and taking it to the family mechanic to see what he can see regarding the possibility of coolant in the cylinder. So we'll see what he can see. Keep my fingers crossed and my hopes alive that it can be fixed for cheaper

 

[combatmedic]

Yikes, sorry to hear the issues. Toyota is of course going to charge you the most of anybody. I would shop around, unless your family mechanic can tackle it. How many miles do you have, and do you have the v6?

 

[Kung]

So.... It does have a very rough idle when I first start it up. It lasts for no more than 2 minutes but it is very rough.

If it's an emissions thing (evap, O2 sensor, MAF, etc.) then that makes perfect sense.

Note that I'm NOT saying that there's not a coolant issue; simply that those lights alone, in the absence of further amplifying information, don't indicate to me a coolant thing.

But yeah, as stated before, definitely get a second opinion.