fuel milage has dropped with new tyres and oilchange

[T4R2014]

Very likely could have been. I've seen a few really cheap/high mile 3rd Gens in my area getting bought and shipped to Africa. Try running a Carfax on your truck.

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

That would be a bummer for sure. It could have a different motor in it too, a carfax would be a wise purchase.

 

[duffbeer911]

i just did a cheaper version of carfax (only $3) to see what came up. I only got the last title and it puts the vehicle at just over 200,000miles ... and that some damage was done to it in 2010 (just before coming to Africa).

So, that's a bummer, but I probably should have suspected that 90k was very low ... but the vehicle seems in such great condition! excellent body, no visible damage (apart from a few small dents where motorbikes have run up the back here) ... it runs really well except for a tiny bit of movement in the steering (ball joints?).

Well, I'm not really sure what i have to gain spending $40 on the full carfax...? I've got the car now, and it seems ok .. so maybe better to spend the $40 on some more general maintenance

 

[phailing101]

i just did a cheaper version of carfax (only $3) to see what came up. I only got the last title and it puts the vehicle at just over 200,000miles ... and that some damage was done to it in 2010 (just before coming to Africa).

So, that's a bummer, but I probably should have suspected that 90k was very low ... but the vehicle seems in such great condition! excellent body, no visible damage (apart from a few small dents where motorbikes have run up the back here) ... it runs really well except for a tiny bit of movement in the steering (ball joints?).

Well, I'm not really sure what i have to gain spending $40 on the full carfax...? I've got the car now, and it seems ok .. so maybe better to spend the $40 on some more general maintenance

Well, you learned that it has significant more wear than you anticipated. You should keep an eye on the timing belt as well, given the mileage.

 

[IanB]

That sucks. I'd plan to do the lower ball joints and bypass the factory tranny cooler with an external tranny cooler ASAP, much cheaper than waiting for them to fail. Lucky for you there's plenty of life left in your truck, just not as much as you thought there was previously.

 

[sportscarfan]

how difficult/easy is it to change the fuel filter?

Fuel filter is not difficult to change. Loosening the fittings and getting them threaded back in straight is the most challenging part. Use a line wrench to remove and be 100% certain the threads are not crossed when you tighten them.

 

[duffbeer911]

alright, just changed the fuel filter! possibly the most mechanical DIY I've ever done followed this write up and it was really quite easy:
5VZ V6 4runner fuel filter write up with pics

A couple things though:
I couldnt get a toyota filter here so got a cheaper brand "SM Filter 23300-50020" ... i hope its ok??!?!

Also, on my first tighten there was a small leak of petrol. I tightened it up again and ran the engine for about 10 minutes with no sign of a leak... that should be sufficient yeah?!

 

[rajuncajun]

If there's a leak - usually you can smell it. But after 10 mins you should be okay.

I would take a look at plugs and wires as well as previously stated. Perhaps take your timing cover off and check your belt for cracks and wear.

Try driving with your windows down and ac off for a while and see if that makes a difference in mileage. (if you can bare it - haha)

 

[duffbeer911]

thanks, I will do those suggestions this week.

Since last filling up I've used almost no AC, got the new air filter, correct oil, and now fuel filter replaced.... I'm quite sure already I'm getting better milage so we will see for sure when I fill up next.

cheers!

 

[duffbeer911]

argh, i just got the 4runner cleaned under the hood as I want to track whether there are any oil leaks. It was super dirty under there so I thought quite overdue for a clean.

BUT, just a few minutes from where I got it cleaned and there seems like a slight lack in power and a light fluttering noise coming from the exhaust when I accelerate. Do you think that the guys who cleaned it could have messed something up? OR there could be a problem with the fuel filter I installed yesterday? I drove for about 45minutes with no problems before getting it cleaned.

thanks once again for the help!

 

[IanB]

argh, i just got the 4runner cleaned under the hood as I want to track whether there are any oil leaks. It was super dirty under there so I thought quite overdue for a clean.

BUT, just a few minutes from where I got it cleaned and there seems like a slight lack in power and a light fluttering noise coming from the exhaust when I accelerate. Do you think that the guys who cleaned it could have messed something up? OR there could be a problem with the fuel filter I installed yesterday? I drove for about 45minutes with no problems before getting it cleaned.

thanks once again for the help!

They may have gotten water in the distributor, or spark plug holes, etc. You can take compressed air and blow it down the plug holes (leave the plugs in!), into the spark plug boots in the plug wires, and otherwise just give it a chance to dry out.

 

[Greg_Canada]

They may have gotten water in the distributor, or spark plug holes, etc. You can take compressed air and blow it down the plug holes (leave the plugs in!), into the spark plug boots in the plug wires, and otherwise just give it a chance to dry out.

There is no distributor on a 5vz...

 

[IanB]

There is no distributor on a 5vz...

Coil on plug then? My 3rd gen had a turbo diesel, so I'm no expert on the 5VZ. My advice remains the same either way.