I keep finding new problems...

[SummerallGuard04]

One new problem after another...

Hey guys,

I just recently bought a '99 T4R with 67K original miles. It has a clean Carfax report but I am skeptical of the previous owner. First of all, I have a few leaks: a water leak underneath the driver-side carpet, a power steering leak, an oil leak and (the newest find)...a gas leak. Gas is dripping from one of the fuel lines, near the intake manifold. I figured something was up when I wouldn't drive the car for a few days, the gas gauge would always show a full tank of gas (even when I would only have a 1/4 tank of gas). On top of that, I don't have a cruise control. I just bought a used CC module but can't figure out how to install it.

I've made a service appointment next week to have the car checked out. I'm a little nervous. I really don't want to spend any more than $500 on this car. Any advice on what to do or how much this type of service is going to run me? What would your "price point" be? Thinking about just selling as is. Really don't want to but I think I got duped by the previous owenr.

 

[JasetheDamager]

Thinking about just selling as is. Really don't want to but I think I got duped by the previous owenr.

Can't help you too much on the technical side. However, there are several forum members in North Carolina. Singtoe comes to mind. I'd talk to them first and see if they would be willing to help you out, or at least point you to a reputable shop.

If the odometer is correct and these problems turn out to be minor, then it's certainly worth keeping cuz 67k on a Runner is nothing. You might be pleasantly surprised by the results.

And of course if you sell as is, then you have to disclose these problems to the buyer, and that might affect your selling price big time.

 

[Doc2012]

Hey man,
I live up in Hickory(Conover actually), so not too far from you. We'll, on the weekends anyway. I'm down in Camp LeJeune during the week. If you need anything on a weekend, let me know. I'm usually heading to Hickory on friday, and come back to LeJeune late sunday night.

I could help install the CC module, and figure out what else you've got going on with this thing, if you can wait till this weekend.

 

[Singtoe]

Yep, Doc should be able to help you out.

Cruise control needs a couple of things to make it work.

Steering wheel stalk switch
cruise control ecu
actuator


Every thing should already be there. Wires, brake switch, and indicator.

Should be pretty simple to get working again.

 

[BrianSD_42]

One reason to keep it is that despite those issues the engine and trans have way low miles.

You need to get the gas leak fixed right away, that's pretty scary. I wouldn't drive a vehicle that was leaking fuel - LoL.

You can't expect everything to work perfectly on a truck that is 10 years old. All of the rubber has aged and things like you LBJs should probably still be replaced.

 

[theizzardking]

O
You can't expect everything to work perfectly on a truck that is 10 years old. All of the rubber has aged and things like you LBJs should probably still be replaced.

you don't want to spend more then $500 on this truck....good luck.... if you don't want to spend money bringing a used car up to snuff then go out and buy a $30k new car and not worry about it, but these are the sort of issues you get when buying a under 10k used vehicle, you should just feel good knowing it's a Toyota and once you get everything on par it's just a matter of maintaining it. but the things you listed would be suspect on almost any 10~15 year old vehicle, i think drawing a line at $500 bucks doesn't make any sense....
i really don't know what you were expecting with this purchase, how would you say the previous owner duped you? Again buying used is almost always "AS-IS" did you get a vehicle inspection before you bought it? did you look under the truck yourself for leaks and other possible issues?

again, i would say with that sort of mileage and if the body and interior is clean as long as you spend too much i wouldn't say you got duped at all, i would just say you bought a 13 year old used car......be realistic here, sure the mileage is relatively low but like said above me age and conditions can mean more than miles alone, and anyways if this was a jeep you'd bee looking at a new transmission in about 10k miles after you fixed all of the other stuff you just listed, just feel confident that once you get all of this stuff squared away that your power and drive train will last you for another 200k or more.

which brings me around to another point, let's say you invested another 2k on the high side to fix EVERYTHING , there's not going to be many vehicles that you can buy and get 200k out of for what your into this one right now without having some serious issues along the way, heck even if you were to buy a brand new hundayi or whatever for $14k with zero miles on it you'd probably got through a trans or a motor before you got to 200k, lol ....
don;t worry man, you're still winning here as long as you didn;t spend something ridiculous on the initial purchase....

 

[YOTALUVR]

Doc can def help out, and the best thing is to buy all the parts you need in a yard or salvage and have it installed by toyota, i replaced all my gas lines brake lines battery starter and intake also my exhaust and i only spent about 230.00 for the installation

 

[Tom P.]

You bought a good machine. Keep the faith. Remember why you fell in love with the truck in the first place. And, just like in romance, you've got to put some money aside for the future.

 

[Hepar]

Was this the carfax where it wasn't registered for quite a few years?

 

[SummerallGuard04]

Was this the carfax where it wasn't registered for quite a few years?

Yeah, it was. There are random screws missing from underneath the hood, the previous owner listed there was cruise control when, in all actuality, there isn't. he took my address and said he would send me a 2nd key with remote and that was 2 weeks ago (talked to him last week and said "it should be there by now")...that kind of stuff. It was listed as a dealer car for all those years--i can't explain the mileage issue. I don't know, I'm just skeptical. Previous owner also managed to spray down the undercarriage to, most likely, cover up rust spots that I haven't discovered yet. Shady.

 

[SummerallGuard04]

Hey man,
I live up in Hickory(Conover actually), so not too far from you. We'll, on the weekends anyway. I'm down in Camp LeJeune during the week. If you need anything on a weekend, let me know. I'm usually heading to Hickory on friday, and come back to LeJeune late sunday night.

I could help install the CC module, and figure out what else you've got going on with this thing, if you can wait till this weekend.

Good deal, man. Much appreciated. I'll let you know. Thanks for your service! :ak472:

 

[SummerallGuard04]

you don't want to spend more then $500 on this truck....good luck.... if you don't want to spend money bringing a used car up to snuff then go out and buy a $30k new car and not worry about it, but these are the sort of issues you get when buying a under 10k used vehicle, you should just feel good knowing it's a Toyota and once you get everything on par it's just a matter of maintaining it. but the things you listed would be suspect on almost any 10~15 year old vehicle, i think drawing a line at $500 bucks doesn't make any sense....
i really don't know what you were expecting with this purchase, how would you say the previous owner duped you? Again buying used is almost always "AS-IS" did you get a vehicle inspection before you bought it? did you look under the truck yourself for leaks and other possible issues?

again, i would say with that sort of mileage and if the body and interior is clean as long as you spend too much i wouldn't say you got duped at all, i would just say you bought a 13 year old used car......be realistic here, sure the mileage is relatively low but like said above me age and conditions can mean more than miles alone, and anyways if this was a jeep you'd bee looking at a new transmission in about 10k miles after you fixed all of the other stuff you just listed, just feel confident that once you get all of this stuff squared away that your power and drive train will last you for another 200k or more.

which brings me around to another point, let's say you invested another 2k on the high side to fix EVERYTHING , there's not going to be many vehicles that you can buy and get 200k out of for what your into this one right now without having some serious issues along the way, heck even if you were to buy a brand new hundayi or whatever for $14k with zero miles on it you'd probably got through a trans or a motor before you got to 200k, lol ....
don;t worry man, you're still winning here as long as you didn;t spend something ridiculous on the initial purchase....

Thanks for your input, bro. it's just frustrating when you have a tight budget to work under. I definitely cannot justify spending over $1000 on this car at this point. Especially when I spent a little more on this truck than what I wanted to in the first place. You know?

 

[SummerallGuard04]

Yep, Doc should be able to help you out.

Cruise control needs a couple of things to make it work.

Steering wheel stalk switch
cruise control ecu
actuator


Every thing should already be there. Wires, brake switch, and indicator.

Should be pretty simple to get working again.

No, I meant, it originally had it...the actuator just happened to be 'missing'.

 

[SummerallGuard04]

i really don't know what you were expecting with this purchase, how would you say the previous owner duped you? Again buying used is almost always "AS-IS" did you get a vehicle inspection before you bought it? did you look under the truck yourself for leaks and other possible issues?

Didn't get a car inspection. I figured that would be hard to do considering I was almost 2 hrs from home when I met the owner. Also, previous owner had an extensive, working knowledge of the 4runner--even pointed out certain things that he fixed or replaced. I mean, I get it. He told me the 'truth' but not the 'whole truth'. Failed to mention a few 'issues' but I get it--buyer beware.

 

[SummerallGuard04]

Hey man,
I live up in Hickory(Conover actually), so not too far from you. We'll, on the weekends anyway. I'm down in Camp LeJeune during the week. If you need anything on a weekend, let me know. I'm usually heading to Hickory on friday, and come back to LeJeune late sunday night.

I could help install the CC module, and figure out what else you've got going on with this thing, if you can wait till this weekend.

Doc, you know any guys at Toyota Specialist in Fort Mill? I've got a service appt. there on Monday.

 

[Doc2012]

I sure don't man. I usually, unless a big piece of equipment is needed, do all the work on my runner myself. Wish I could help ya out with the specialist guys.

 

[Jc12]

as for the water leak - check and make sure all the grommets at the firewell are in spot. When i installed some wires on mine i didn't seat it properly back in spot and would always have a damp carpet until i searched.

As for the oil leak and gas leak, definitely get help from the members - i just fixed a gas leak on my bus which cost 75 dollars. Oil leak could be an oil pan gasket.. maybe even a loose oil filter? Just dont give up on it yet, treat it well and it will give you a very long happy relationship.

When you have someone savvy to 4runners they should be able to see some tell tale signs of the true mileage, don't automatically jump to the conclusion its been rolled. good luck!

 

[nissanh]

The water under the front carpet is due to misaligned or punchered rubber grommet right below the brake pump.

Fixing P/S is easy.

You have a stuck gas guage. run until you get the reserve light is on and then Lower the gas tank. If you cannot find the floater, let me know. I live in Shreveport and there are 4 junk yards with about 4 -5 4Runners lying around.

Can you post a picture where you see the gas leak by the inlet manifold? or email to [email protected]

Non of these are serious issues.