hesitate, surging, bad gas mileage, gas smell, hard to start

[losinstinks]

Hello everyone, it's been a while. Well..., that's because I have a Toyota 4Runner.

Now that I've gone and said that, I have an illusive one here:

I have been in the dumps now for about two month trying to solve a problem with my 1994 4Runner. I only drive her around town now since I'm afraid of being stranded too far from home. I have been reading threads on the web that talk about this problem and they describe what they did, which is pretty much replacing everything in the engine... $$$ and the results are all the same... Problem NOT FIXED!

(This link describes my problem and to others out there and although this is a post from 2007, this link is HOPE!)
Removed link

He says the person who fixed the problem will not reveal his secrets. I know the head gaskets on my 4Runner were replaced a long time ago and the thread mentions a sensor that was damaged during the process. Anyone out there have a similar problem with a positive outcome FIX?

 

[TX_QtPi]

This is gonna sound painful and you'll probably curse me for it but check the vacuum hoses... total PITA! Mine was doing weird stuff and it turned out to have one hose completely disconnected under the intake and another one that was very loose.

I'd start there but maybe someone else will chime in.
Cynthia

 

[losinstinks]

My thanks to Cynthia, You are correct!!!

I went back to work about an hour ago looking for the engine coolant temperature sensor and while following some of the wires back up under the firewall side of the plenum I felt a hose that was very loose. When I moved the hose gently the hose fell out from behind the plenum! I said to my self... What luck. I should have listened to Cynthia in the first place.

Not sure if that will fix the bad gas mileage or gas smell though.

Now for the real work. I noticed the hose had a green tip inside that had broken away from what ever main part is under the plenum. Time to remove the plenum! Not sure what I'm in for...

Any suggestions on what else should be replaced and/or added while the plenum is off?

 

[TX_QtPi]

LOL, Thanks.

If you have any engine codes, check if any are related to the other sensors under the intake. Also the water bypass line, it runs under the intake from the water pump to the rear of the block, check for rust, breaks or leaks, also good time to check or replace the pcv valve since it's covered by the intake also.

maybe someone else can make better suggestions but that's what comes to my mind.
-Cynthia