CEL P0303 2nd time in just over a year

[WI Girl]

Ok, so last year I posted after having issues pointing to the same code/s. Last year after throwing through some injector cleaner a couple times it seemed to clear up (or I actually considered that maybe I just burned out the CEL LOL).

So fast forward a year and its back. I'm on bottle two now and am just at the point where I test drove a Ford Edge over last weekend....but I just love my 4Runner! After spending the last 2+ hours reading threads here, I really just want to save my truck. It has far more value to me than a couple grand. It also avoids me having a car payment which I haven't had in over 10 yrs.

Background: 97 V6 Limited Black(tan leather), 160k, body in great condition (new bumper due to a low speed rear ending on interstate). I bought in in '02 with 40k on it. Have replaced fuel filter about 40k ago. Regular oil changes, tried the high mileage one last year...bad news, never again, dropped my mpg big time. Newer exhaust including cat (stolen!)

Besides the CEL, rear axl seals both sides leaking (pisses me off since the dealer replaced the one side a couple years back and it cost me $$$$$), will need brakes front and back soon.

Any idea why this code keeps popping up? We went through the whole coils/changing wires and plugs after last time. I really don't want it to be the injectors. Also any tips on finding a reliable, honest pro that will do the things listed on this site like sea foam, using recommended parts etc. The local dealership I will never go back to. There are others in Milwaukee. Wish there was a hobbyist that loves doing this kind of thing!

Would love to have the console switched out for the cupholder and black out the emblems, bumper and rims and just keep rolling with my 4Runner!!!

thanks!!!!!!!!!

 

[WI Girl]

So I threw some SeaFoam through the gas tank and light gone again, for how long who knows. Am going to throw some through the with the oil before the change. Open to any suggestions.

Trying out a new mechanic in the area. I have this weird rubber burning smell that we can't pinpoint on the drivers side of the engine bay. Not the belts, which is smells like, they are thinking a buildup of oil from last change, or some small leak that sits on a plate and heats up. Not sure, but they didn't charge me when they couldn't find it.

It's in today getting an engine cleaning and some type of color additive to see if they can find a leak.

 

[takumi]

I have a 2000 4Runner SR5. It has 117,xxx miles on it. About two months ago the check engine light came on. I don't think it had ever been tuned up since new. I took it to the dealership. They installed new wires, new plugs and I believe one of the coil packs was replaced.

Long story short a week later i got the same check engine light with same code, i took it back to the dealership, they kept it for several days but could never locate the reason for the code. They did clean all the fuel injectors is what i was told.

Ten days later the check engine light came on again with the same code. This time they were able to pinpoint it was a bad fuel injector. The dealership replaced the fuel injector and it's been over a month and I have had no issues. So in conclusion a faulty fuel injector was the cause of the problem. The fuel injector was on it's way going bad, but hadn't completely died the previous times i took it to the shop. That's why they weren't able to pinpoint the problem the first two times i took it to the dealership.

I won't be taking it to the dealership again, only because they charge way too much money. But all work was done properly.

If you're on a budget you can buy the fuel injectors on amazon. Hell you can buy the plug wires, spark plugs, coil packs. Pretty much everything on Amazon

 

[stir_fry_boy]

Only get OEM stuff if you do that