A leaking evaporator is the likely suspect for Freon loss if there's no visible oily residue elsewhere that points to a leak. But, the only way to confirm it is with dye and a black light or to use a Freon sniffer. The good news is that the 3rd gen AC evaporator is easy to change and the part isn't terribly expensive. The hardest part is finding someone to evacuate the system and recharge it. On most vehicles including most 4Runners the dash has to come out to get to the evaporator. But, on the 3rd gen it's accessible after removing the glove compartment.
I'm in over my head
- Thread starter NWRunnin
- Start date
New member here as well (just bought a 99' limited in millennium silver with locking rear diff on Wednesday, got in home on Saturday)......pics and such soon to be forthcoming in a new thread....
I just wanted to chime in say how great you guys on this forum are! Between you guys and youtube tutorials (saw a 30 min "Tundra Upgrade" video)....I'm sure most of this stuff can be worked out on the cheap.
OP...that's a nice looking runner, don't get discouraged, a little work and that thing will last you ages...hell, I bought mine with 191k on the clock. Luckily previous owner had a list a mile long of the maintenance he'd done around 185k, including most the big worries like timing belt, suspension, brakes and tires. I'm sure there will be some random things I need to address, but I'm not too worried about it after reading these forums for the last couple months. This community is really helpful.....one of the main reasons I felt OK actually buying a vehicle with so many miles......
I just wanted to chime in say how great you guys on this forum are! Between you guys and youtube tutorials (saw a 30 min "Tundra Upgrade" video)....I'm sure most of this stuff can be worked out on the cheap.
OP...that's a nice looking runner, don't get discouraged, a little work and that thing will last you ages...hell, I bought mine with 191k on the clock. Luckily previous owner had a list a mile long of the maintenance he'd done around 185k, including most the big worries like timing belt, suspension, brakes and tires. I'm sure there will be some random things I need to address, but I'm not too worried about it after reading these forums for the last couple months. This community is really helpful.....one of the main reasons I felt OK actually buying a vehicle with so many miles......
Kurtis
New member
Alright. Brakes and tires is what you NEED to take care off. You don't really need AC this far up in the PNW in the summer though it is nice and can be taken care of pretty easily. I am a bit north for you being on Whidbey Island but you are more than welcome to use my shop. I can help you with whatever you need. I have my old rotors, calipers, and pads from my wheeler, as well as a whole rear axle minus the rear diff hanging out in my shop. It is going to go to scrap eventually. IIRC it didn't shake when hitting the brakes. You are welcome to it for free if you feel that is an option. Alignment and tires would have to be done somewhere else as I don't have the tools for it.
ShooterMcGavin
New member
That is a nice rig, with just a couple minor maintenance needs I have some tools and a garage, if you don't mind driving across the bridge to the Eastside. Good luck and let us know what you are working on, 1 project at a time, and you'll get the help you need.
I have some tools and a garage, if you don't mind driving across the bridge to the Eastside. Good luck and let us know what you are working on, 1 project at a time, and you'll get the help you need.
mdominic
New member
I've had everything on this list happen to my T4R.
It wasn't my Catalytic Converter, but the o2 sensor.
The rear seals go and then the brakes are ruined. Best to do it all and be done with it. In the end it will save you money. I also had my front passenger side axel break.
As far as an AC recharge, check your coolant levels. Make sure you have enough antifreeze.
Tires ...Costco. 4 new Bridgestone 16". Around $650 installed.
Good luck.
jeremyc74
Banned
You're not in such bad shape honestly. Tires and brakes are par for the course when you're buying used vehicles. The front brakes are pretty easy to do on these vehicles, so you should consider doing them yourself. You can get Toyota rotors for about $110 (for both), and quality pads online for $30-50.
The rear axle leak sucks, but it's common. You won't need to worry about it for a long time now that it's fixed.
As far as the code goes, it's not a big deal. It's the post cat sensor, so the only thing it's doing is making sure the converter is working properly. It's not hurting fuel economy at all, just giving you an annoying light on the dash. On a vehicle with mileage that low it's almost certainly just a bad O2 sensor.
Earlier someone mentioned to use only OEM parts for this, but that's not completely true. You need to use the DENSO part. Denso makes the O2 sensors for Toyota. If you go to the dealership you'll get a Denso part in a Toyota box and it will cost about 3 times as much and work exactly the same.
You need to figure out if you have a CA emissions vehicle or not. You can find that info on the stickers under the hood. Once you know that we can give you links to the part you need.
And if you haven't already, you should consider creating an Amazon account. Their selection of tools and parts is just unbeatable. Damn near everyone on the board uses them for everything from tools to light bulbs to radiators.
The rear axle leak sucks, but it's common. You won't need to worry about it for a long time now that it's fixed.
As far as the code goes, it's not a big deal. It's the post cat sensor, so the only thing it's doing is making sure the converter is working properly. It's not hurting fuel economy at all, just giving you an annoying light on the dash. On a vehicle with mileage that low it's almost certainly just a bad O2 sensor.
Earlier someone mentioned to use only OEM parts for this, but that's not completely true. You need to use the DENSO part. Denso makes the O2 sensors for Toyota. If you go to the dealership you'll get a Denso part in a Toyota box and it will cost about 3 times as much and work exactly the same.
You need to figure out if you have a CA emissions vehicle or not. You can find that info on the stickers under the hood. Once you know that we can give you links to the part you need.
And if you haven't already, you should consider creating an Amazon account. Their selection of tools and parts is just unbeatable. Damn near everyone on the board uses them for everything from tools to light bulbs to radiators.
KidVermicious
New member
Amazon is the bomb. Almost always the cheapest prices going. I don't trust their part lookup computer, but once I know my part number Amazon almost always has the best price. And unlike RockAuto, they don't give you any guff if you have the return the part.
That's awesome! Yeah I see a lot of write ups on the forum that are pretty detailed. I just can't wait to graduate and get my own place.
I didn't know it was accessible through there. I'll have to check it out. Yeah, since it's on the bottom of my list to do, I'll eventually get to it.
New member here as well (just bought a 99' limited in millennium silver with locking rear diff on Wednesday, got in home on Saturday)......pics and such soon to be forthcoming in a new thread....
I just wanted to chime in say how great you guys on this forum are! Between you guys and youtube tutorials (saw a 30 min "Tundra Upgrade" video)....I'm sure most of this stuff can be worked out on the cheap.
OP...that's a nice looking runner, don't get discouraged, a little work and that thing will last you ages...hell, I bought mine with 191k on the clock. Luckily previous owner had a list a mile long of the maintenance he'd done around 185k, including most the big worries like timing belt, suspension, brakes and tires. I'm sure there will be some random things I need to address, but I'm not too worried about it after reading these forums for the last couple months. This community is really helpful.....one of the main reasons I felt OK actually buying a vehicle with so many miles......
Thanks man, congrats on the new rig. Agreed!
Looking forward to post my progress!
Whidbey? Man, that's a ways away. Thanks for the invite though, I seriously appreciate that. Who knows, I might have to make it over there sometime, do some exploring. I'll get new rotrs, but how many miles on those calipers?
That is a nice rig, with just a couple minor maintenance needs
Thank you! Funny you say that, I actually live on the eastside (Kirkland) I just have Seattle on my description.
I've never used amazon for parts but I will definitely start browsing .
Thanks! Yeah I noticed that about the part fitment.
weekendclimber
New member
It sounds like a bunch of PNW'ers need to get together and have a maintenance throw down:whip:
psraff
New member
Kirkland is so much nicer! If I was to live anywhere around Seattle, it would be in that area somewhere.... Kirkland, Redmond, hell even Issaquah... I loved the lake front in the evenings. I was stuck down in Puyallup due to the Ex-Wife's family.... Talk about Cowboy wantabies, and Fast and the Furious wantabies mixed together. I was at Ft Lewis years ago. So with that, you can mix in white trash and gangstas!
arty: Ahhhh Those were the days! LOLKirkland is so much nicer! If I was to live anywhere around Seattle, it would be in that area somewhere.... Kirkland, Redmond, hell even Issaquah... I loved the lake front in the evenings. I was stuck down in Puyallup due to the Ex-Wife's family.... Talk about Cowboy wantabies, and Fast and the Furious wantabies mixed together. I was at Ft Lewis years ago. So with that, you can mix in white trash and gangstas!
Haha, yeah I go to school at Northwest!
This area is really nice. I'm from rural eastern WA so this was definitely a change of pace. I've never been to Puyallup, been wanting to go to the state fair over there though!
Hey that sounds like fun thing! I got some UCA's to do ! Be nice to have garage to finally to do them in.
weekendclimber
New member
I did a set in my brother's driveway in February. The key is to chop the UBJ stud off, and then use a ball joint press with the 4WD adaptor kit from O'Reillys to get it off of there. They came off in about 15 seconds after having the right tools.
