JBurt's 97 Build Thread
- Thread starter JBurt
- Start date
JBurt
Senior Member
One of my old ones cracked so I figured after 20 years I'd just replace both.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/147820-jburts-97-build-thread-10.html#post2518561
Unner
New member
Gotcha, I was just wondering because I'd never really heard of OEM drums failing. Good luck with getting a refund/replacement.
JBurt
Senior Member
Well the the oreilly drum has been fine for a month. I did paint it with por15 caliper paint and no issues there.
Not a whole lot of stuff has happened in February. I did make it to Anza Borrego on President's day with my dad in his 85 Bronco, which is the first time it went out in a month. Some PO put on a different carb without the choke hooked up so we get to rebuild the original (which he has) and put that on and hope it runs easier. It did well. It's kind of sad, but I think someone went through most of the trails in the park with a grader or tractor and smoothed almost everything out. Even Diablo drop off seems much flatter than it used to be. 2wd high clearance would be fine. Also went with some other family in a chevy 1500.
The desert was so green after all the rain we've had.
There was even grass
We went to the mud caves and unfortunately the one at the end with the large open area on the inside had caved in right at the opening.
You could climb over the rocks or go through a small space under them, however I couldn't convince my 4 year old to do either.
The weather was perfect, the company was good, food was great. Nice way to celebrate people who died a long time ago.
I need to replace a radiator, and my AC blower stopped working today. Easy replacement.
Not a whole lot of stuff has happened in February. I did make it to Anza Borrego on President's day with my dad in his 85 Bronco, which is the first time it went out in a month. Some PO put on a different carb without the choke hooked up so we get to rebuild the original (which he has) and put that on and hope it runs easier. It did well. It's kind of sad, but I think someone went through most of the trails in the park with a grader or tractor and smoothed almost everything out. Even Diablo drop off seems much flatter than it used to be. 2wd high clearance would be fine. Also went with some other family in a chevy 1500.
The desert was so green after all the rain we've had.
There was even grass
We went to the mud caves and unfortunately the one at the end with the large open area on the inside had caved in right at the opening.
You could climb over the rocks or go through a small space under them, however I couldn't convince my 4 year old to do either.
The weather was perfect, the company was good, food was great. Nice way to celebrate people who died a long time ago.
I need to replace a radiator, and my AC blower stopped working today. Easy replacement.
JayRolla
New member
Well the the oreilly drum has been fine for a month. I did paint it with por15 caliper paint and no issues there.
Not a whole lot of stuff has happened in February. I did make it to Anza Borrego on President's day with my dad in his 85 Bronco, which is the first time it went out in a month. Some PO put on a different carb without the choke hooked up so we get to rebuild the original (which he has) and put that on and hope it runs easier. It did well. It's kind of sad, but I think someone went through most of the trails in the park with a grader or tractor and smoothed almost everything out. Even Diablo drop off seems much flatter than it used to be. 2wd high clearance would be fine. Also went with some other family in a chevy 1500.
The desert was so green after all the rain we've had.
There was even grass
We went to the mud caves and unfortunately the one at the end with the large open area on the inside had caved in right at the opening.
You could climb over the rocks or go through a small space under them, however I couldn't convince my 4 year old to do either.
The weather was perfect, the company was good, food was great. Nice way to celebrate people who died a long time ago.
I need to replace a radiator, and my AC blower stopped working today. Easy replacement.
I had the same bronco in high school. Same year dine color. Xlt with red interior. 351w. Loved it.
Renegade_Medic
New member
One of my OE drums failed a couple months ago. Had a terrible driveline vibe, thought it was a bad u joint. The brake shoes basically melted into the drum and I cracked the drum removing it. Machine shop said it was very out of round, several millimeters off. I also replaced with an oreilly one and haven't had any issues.
Well the the oreilly drum has been fine for a month. I did paint it with por15 caliper paint and no issues there.
Not a whole lot of stuff has happened in February. I did make it to Anza Borrego on President's day with my dad in his 85 Bronco, which is the first time it went out in a month. Some PO put on a different carb without the choke hooked up so we get to rebuild the original (which he has) and put that on and hope it runs easier. It did well. It's kind of sad, but I think someone went through most of the trails in the park with a grader or tractor and smoothed almost everything out. Even Diablo drop off seems much flatter than it used to be. 2wd high clearance would be fine. Also went with some other family in a chevy 1500.
The desert was so green after all the rain we've had.
There was even grass
We went to the mud caves and unfortunately the one at the end with the large open area on the inside had caved in right at the opening.
You could climb over the rocks or go through a small space under them, however I couldn't convince my 4 year old to do either.
The weather was perfect, the company was good, food was great. Nice way to celebrate people who died a long time ago.
I need to replace a radiator, and my AC blower stopped working today. Easy replacement.
great photos!
JBurt
Senior Member
Well not a whole lot has happend, but some stuff has. I'll update it someday. Went to Big Bear this weekend to let the kids play in the snow, all glorious 3 inches of it.
2018-03-18_03-54-22 by Jeff Burt, on Flickr
2018-03-18_03-55-48 by Jeff Burt, on Flickr
2018-03-18_03-55-26 by Jeff Burt, on Flickr
I had hoped to go with some other guys from the socal section and run a trail or two. I restricted myself to a few of the easier fire roads and some sledding. I don't have any experience wheeling in the snow (but I'd love to have some), and I didn't want to gain it by myself.
The designated sledding areas around town were a zoo so we found a hill on the north side off of 2N09 which was nice and isolated.
On the way home I hit a quarter of a million miles.
2018-03-18_03-56-04 by Jeff Burt, on Flickr
Also kid #3 is on the way, so I need to figure out how to get 3 car seats in the back of my 4runner. It's doable, but my wife's prius has to go. We're looking for an 05-07 Sequoia, sub 150k miles, white, with the luxury package (middle row is 2 captains chairs and it has 2 memory settings for drivers seat and mirror settings). I've been looking and found a few but all more than 8 hours away. August is my deadline. I hope everyone else is doing well.
2018-03-18_03-54-22 by Jeff Burt, on Flickr2018-03-18_03-55-48 by Jeff Burt, on Flickr2018-03-18_03-55-26 by Jeff Burt, on FlickrI had hoped to go with some other guys from the socal section and run a trail or two. I restricted myself to a few of the easier fire roads and some sledding. I don't have any experience wheeling in the snow (but I'd love to have some), and I didn't want to gain it by myself.
The designated sledding areas around town were a zoo so we found a hill on the north side off of 2N09 which was nice and isolated.
On the way home I hit a quarter of a million miles.
2018-03-18_03-56-04 by Jeff Burt, on FlickrAlso kid #3 is on the way, so I need to figure out how to get 3 car seats in the back of my 4runner. It's doable, but my wife's prius has to go. We're looking for an 05-07 Sequoia, sub 150k miles, white, with the luxury package (middle row is 2 captains chairs and it has 2 memory settings for drivers seat and mirror settings). I've been looking and found a few but all more than 8 hours away. August is my deadline. I hope everyone else is doing well.
BigFishAllDay
New member
When I clicked on your thread this time, I had forgotten you had your 4Runner painted and was a little confused. I had to go back and re-read the last few pages. I have always associated your rig with the old blue color in your profile picture.
Congratulations on the pregnancy! I hope it is a healthy one for everybody. The snow trip looks like a fun time, and good on you as a Dad for making it happen even though the snow was kind of thin. Kids don't care about that.. if its enough to slide on, they're good.
Congrats on 250K also, that's something few get to see.
Congratulations on the pregnancy! I hope it is a healthy one for everybody. The snow trip looks like a fun time, and good on you as a Dad for making it happen even though the snow was kind of thin. Kids don't care about that.. if its enough to slide on, they're good.
Congrats on 250K also, that's something few get to see.
habanero
Senior Member
Looks like it was a fun trip and again congrats on the 3rd. Your kids are adorable as always.
I used the Sunshine Kids Radian 65 for most of my kid's car seat years, narrow enough to fit 2 teenagers and the kid. They're now Diono Radian, looks like it's still pretty narrow and it's still metal-framed.
EDIT: I just looked at what they're running these days. It was expensive when I bought it, the new style looks to be even more expensive though now they fit a larger size range. Ouch.
I used the Sunshine Kids Radian 65 for most of my kid's car seat years, narrow enough to fit 2 teenagers and the kid. They're now Diono Radian, looks like it's still pretty narrow and it's still metal-framed.
EDIT: I just looked at what they're running these days. It was expensive when I bought it, the new style looks to be even more expensive though now they fit a larger size range. Ouch.
Last edited:
JBurt
Senior Member
No major updates in the last 2.5 years. It has just kept going and going. I haven't driven it much since Covid started. It mainly just hauls around my mountain bike now. I haven't taken it on many trails since covid, and I haven't found any group runs to go on. I've got a bunch of piddly stuff that needs attention, but everything just keeps going.
Well almost everything. My AC pulley has been wobbling pretty bad, which doesn't seem too uncommon. I thought about replacing the clutch, but from what I found is more often than not the bad clutch wears a groove into the compressor that makes the repair not last very long. So I figured I'd just drive it until I wanted to replace the whole compressor and clutch. Problem was, I never really wanted to replace the compressor. Then last week the clutch froze up. I wasn't really surprised, but I was about 30 miles from home with a frozen pulley. Luckily we don't have serpentine belts, so I just just the AC belt and drove home. At least it happened in February (70 degrees) and not July (115 degrees).
I've got a compressor, o rings, and a new condenser (why not?) ordered. I'll post more pictures once everything gets in and I start swapping stuff out. I'm glad I picked up some AC gauges a few months ago.
Parts are ordered
Well almost everything. My AC pulley has been wobbling pretty bad, which doesn't seem too uncommon. I thought about replacing the clutch, but from what I found is more often than not the bad clutch wears a groove into the compressor that makes the repair not last very long. So I figured I'd just drive it until I wanted to replace the whole compressor and clutch. Problem was, I never really wanted to replace the compressor. Then last week the clutch froze up. I wasn't really surprised, but I was about 30 miles from home with a frozen pulley. Luckily we don't have serpentine belts, so I just just the AC belt and drove home. At least it happened in February (70 degrees) and not July (115 degrees).
I've got a compressor, o rings, and a new condenser (why not?) ordered. I'll post more pictures once everything gets in and I start swapping stuff out. I'm glad I picked up some AC gauges a few months ago.
Parts are ordered
JBurt
Senior Member
This really needed some pictures. Here a current shot of the 4runner:
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/155272546@N08/50990821127/in/dateposted-public/" title="2021-02-28_02-19-23"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50990821127_91707f88bb_c.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="2021-02-28_02-19-23"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
We took the kids and the dog out for some exercise
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/155272546@N08/50990017343/in/dateposted-public/" title="2021-02-28_02-21-10"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50990017343_6187aa2694_c.jpg" width="450" height="800" alt="2021-02-28_02-21-10"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/155272546@N08/50990821127/in/dateposted-public/" title="2021-02-28_02-19-23"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50990821127_91707f88bb_c.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="2021-02-28_02-19-23"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
We took the kids and the dog out for some exercise
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/155272546@N08/50990017343/in/dateposted-public/" title="2021-02-28_02-21-10"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50990017343_6187aa2694_c.jpg" width="450" height="800" alt="2021-02-28_02-21-10"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
JBurt
Senior Member
Not a whole lot has happened to the 4runner but here are some updates.
Back in April my ac compressor finally seized up. The clutch had ben wobbly and going out for a long time, but it died before I ever changed it. Since it's so hot here I decided to replace the condenser, dryer, expansion valve, and evaporator core while I was doing it. I gotta say, forums are much better than other sites. I would've probably not attempted that without all the threads detailing that. (notice the horribly oil covered valve cover- more on that later)
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/155272546@N08/51301588425/in/dateposted-public/" title="2021-07-09_09-36-27"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51301588425_a27bfa8ce4_c.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="2021-07-09_09-36-27"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/155272546@N08/51300574711/in/dateposted-public/" title="2021-07-09_09-35-56"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51300574711_508c624ddc_c.jpg" width="450" height="800" alt="2021-07-09_09-35-56"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The bolts holding the expansion valve on were corroded and pretty stuck, but a wire wheel is a great tool
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/155272546@N08/51301285019/in/dateposted-public/" title="2021-07-09_09-35-40"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51301285019_fe6fd13c58_c.jpg" width="450" height="800" alt="2021-07-09_09-35-40"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I don't quite remember how, but the threads on that 2nd bolt got pretty boogered up, and I couldn't find a replacement locally, so I wound up finally buying a metric tap and die set (I only had imperial) and cleaned it up that way.
I found these very helpful
DIY Complete AC Replacement on 2000 T4R Limited
Replacing the A/C Compressor on a 5VZFE (Tacoma, Tundra, 4Runner) – ADVENTURETACO
I had a shop evacuate the old refrigerant and recharge the system. I picked it up right before they closed, and they said they got it charged fine, but couldn't get the compressor to engage and to check the fuses. Sure enough when the old compressor seized, it blew the fuse. I replaced that and the AC worked, but not near as cold as before.
Since it's way better than no AC, I've just been working on a few things to try and improve cooling, but I need to really tackle it, since it's getting to the 115 degree every day part of the year.
I noticed on a offroad trip that my engine temps were around 215 degrees, which I was not comfortable with since the radiator is only a few years old, and I replaced the thermostat a few months ago (with the jiggle valve in the right position per FSM). I thought after 25 years and 268k miles replacing the fan clutch was probably okay. So a new Aisin FTC-013 clutch went in.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/155272546@N08/51300566951/in/dateposted-public/" title="2021-07-09_09-30-25"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51300566951_707ba0e72c_c.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="2021-07-09_09-30-25"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I also remembered that I hadn't put the lower fan shroud on after I had done the compressor. I had lost one of the clips, and the other one was bent and didn't fit well. After finally getting a replacement I rebent the bad one. This is the shape you're looking for and the shape that I got good purchase with.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/155272546@N08/51301278344/in/dateposted-public/" title="2021-07-09_09-30-43"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51301278344_e22d95697c_c.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="2021-07-09_09-30-43"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/155272546@N08/51301580595/in/dateposted-public/" title="2021-07-09_09-31-00"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51301580595_86ff80a64f_c.jpg" width="450" height="800" alt="2021-07-09_09-31-00"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/155272546@N08/51300567921/in/dateposted-public/" title="2021-07-09_09-31-11"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51300567921_99c031e31c_c.jpg" width="450" height="800" alt="2021-07-09_09-31-11"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
That helped, but only lowered vent temperatures about 5 degrees. Which is worth it, but for comparison yesterday (after new fan clutch) my center vent temperature was at 70, and my mom's highlander and my dads tacoma were both mid 50's. That 15 degrees is huge when it's 110 outside.
My next step is to go get some gauges and double check that the shop filled it correctly, or that it isn't leaking. I haven't found any die with a UV light, and the cooling is consistent, so I don't think there is a leak. My best guess if the charge is correct is that I put too much oil in, as the old interweb says that can also cause poor cooling. That catches up the AC issues to present.
Back in April my ac compressor finally seized up. The clutch had ben wobbly and going out for a long time, but it died before I ever changed it. Since it's so hot here I decided to replace the condenser, dryer, expansion valve, and evaporator core while I was doing it. I gotta say, forums are much better than other sites. I would've probably not attempted that without all the threads detailing that. (notice the horribly oil covered valve cover- more on that later)
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/155272546@N08/51301588425/in/dateposted-public/" title="2021-07-09_09-36-27"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51301588425_a27bfa8ce4_c.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="2021-07-09_09-36-27"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/155272546@N08/51300574711/in/dateposted-public/" title="2021-07-09_09-35-56"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51300574711_508c624ddc_c.jpg" width="450" height="800" alt="2021-07-09_09-35-56"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The bolts holding the expansion valve on were corroded and pretty stuck, but a wire wheel is a great tool
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/155272546@N08/51301285019/in/dateposted-public/" title="2021-07-09_09-35-40"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51301285019_fe6fd13c58_c.jpg" width="450" height="800" alt="2021-07-09_09-35-40"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I don't quite remember how, but the threads on that 2nd bolt got pretty boogered up, and I couldn't find a replacement locally, so I wound up finally buying a metric tap and die set (I only had imperial) and cleaned it up that way.
I found these very helpful
DIY Complete AC Replacement on 2000 T4R Limited
Replacing the A/C Compressor on a 5VZFE (Tacoma, Tundra, 4Runner) – ADVENTURETACO
I had a shop evacuate the old refrigerant and recharge the system. I picked it up right before they closed, and they said they got it charged fine, but couldn't get the compressor to engage and to check the fuses. Sure enough when the old compressor seized, it blew the fuse. I replaced that and the AC worked, but not near as cold as before.
Since it's way better than no AC, I've just been working on a few things to try and improve cooling, but I need to really tackle it, since it's getting to the 115 degree every day part of the year.
I noticed on a offroad trip that my engine temps were around 215 degrees, which I was not comfortable with since the radiator is only a few years old, and I replaced the thermostat a few months ago (with the jiggle valve in the right position per FSM). I thought after 25 years and 268k miles replacing the fan clutch was probably okay. So a new Aisin FTC-013 clutch went in.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/155272546@N08/51300566951/in/dateposted-public/" title="2021-07-09_09-30-25"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51300566951_707ba0e72c_c.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="2021-07-09_09-30-25"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I also remembered that I hadn't put the lower fan shroud on after I had done the compressor. I had lost one of the clips, and the other one was bent and didn't fit well. After finally getting a replacement I rebent the bad one. This is the shape you're looking for and the shape that I got good purchase with.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/155272546@N08/51301278344/in/dateposted-public/" title="2021-07-09_09-30-43"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51301278344_e22d95697c_c.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="2021-07-09_09-30-43"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/155272546@N08/51301580595/in/dateposted-public/" title="2021-07-09_09-31-00"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51301580595_86ff80a64f_c.jpg" width="450" height="800" alt="2021-07-09_09-31-00"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/155272546@N08/51300567921/in/dateposted-public/" title="2021-07-09_09-31-11"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51300567921_99c031e31c_c.jpg" width="450" height="800" alt="2021-07-09_09-31-11"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
That helped, but only lowered vent temperatures about 5 degrees. Which is worth it, but for comparison yesterday (after new fan clutch) my center vent temperature was at 70, and my mom's highlander and my dads tacoma were both mid 50's. That 15 degrees is huge when it's 110 outside.
My next step is to go get some gauges and double check that the shop filled it correctly, or that it isn't leaking. I haven't found any die with a UV light, and the cooling is consistent, so I don't think there is a leak. My best guess if the charge is correct is that I put too much oil in, as the old interweb says that can also cause poor cooling. That catches up the AC issues to present.
JBurt
Senior Member
Then I decided to look into a random cylinder 1 misfire. Since I was due for plugs and wires first I thought I'd start with the easy stuff, and I think it's pretty clear what the issue is
This was the spark plug tube when I pulled it out
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/155272546@N08/51300752173/in/dateposted-public/" title="2021-07-09_09-31-25"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51300752173_4af6288af6_c.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="2021-07-09_09-31-25"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
And this was the socket after loosening the spark plug
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/155272546@N08/51300568466/in/dateposted-public/" title="2021-07-09_09-31-35"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51300568466_03b7f0649c_c.jpg" width="450" height="800" alt="2021-07-09_09-31-35"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
And the spark plug...
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/155272546@N08/51300568661/in/dateposted-public/" title="2021-07-09_09-31-43"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51300568661_380a73c564_c.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="2021-07-09_09-31-43"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
So I think after about a decade of ownership I need to stop putting off replacing the valve cover gaskets. Parts are ordered and the AC has taken a back seat. Thanks to mtbtim and InfamousRNR for the really nice 40 min video on the topic. Between them and the FSM I think I'll be all set. I'm really curious to see what my cams look like. Stay tuned for more pics.
This was the spark plug tube when I pulled it out
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/155272546@N08/51300752173/in/dateposted-public/" title="2021-07-09_09-31-25"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51300752173_4af6288af6_c.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="2021-07-09_09-31-25"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
And this was the socket after loosening the spark plug
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And the spark plug...
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So I think after about a decade of ownership I need to stop putting off replacing the valve cover gaskets. Parts are ordered and the AC has taken a back seat. Thanks to mtbtim and InfamousRNR for the really nice 40 min video on the topic. Between them and the FSM I think I'll be all set. I'm really curious to see what my cams look like. Stay tuned for more pics.
habanero
Senior Member
Oh, that evap core box...a least favorite part of the a/c system, but I haven't had to pull the compressor (yet). Nice work and we'll just call the v/c leak and 'oil prevention service'.
Also, thanks for reminding me to put that little bit of fan shroud back on the bluetruck.
EDIT: just saw that last post....make that 'temporary oil prevention service'. Here's to a pretty picture under those valve covers.
Also, thanks for reminding me to put that little bit of fan shroud back on the bluetruck.
EDIT: just saw that last post....make that 'temporary oil prevention service'. Here's to a pretty picture under those valve covers.
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JBurt
Senior Member
The evap core isn't bad on this car. I've got a prius that needs a new one. It's literally the last part of the dash to come out before you've got a bare firewall. It's listed as a 7 hour job, and I have very little desire to do it myself, however the best repair shop price I've found is $2300. That's why I was looking at the TDI's, but that one got snatched away before I could go check it out. Dang.
habanero
Senior Member
Okay, fair enough. I'm not looking forward to when the heater core needs replacing but I'd rather do that on the 4Runner than on a Prius!
JBurt
Senior Member
Indeed! In the prius, the heater core and evap are in the same box. My heater has never worked very well, but whenever I change the coolant I run some coolant flush through there and it actually blows warm though. For the amount that I need it, the rear heater is more than enough. Thankfully that's been trouble free.
