Just picked up a 1990 4Runner...

[sineo]

And it only cost me $700! Just wanted to make a post and introduce myself as I expect to be lurking around here for a while, picking the brains of experts.

I personally would have preferred a 4cyl manual, but when this 6cyl auto popped up, I had to leap. It runs beautifully, just desperately needs a paint job.

It needs a new rear bumper and a dent banged out and eventually I'll probably replace the interior carpet (surprisingly affordable on eBay) and look for some cleaner seats at a junk yard. Then I'll be painting it...not sure what color, I had been thinking a dark grey, but the only dark grey one I saw on the picture thread, I didn't like.

I'm dropping it off at my mechanic on Monday to get a thorough look over, but I don't expect any major issues...hopefully just change all the fluids. The engine was redone by Toyota at 100k (currently has 190k) and looks clean. I see no evidence of leaking valve cover gaskets or anything under the hood (although the power steering reservoir is a little wet). I crawled underneath and most everything looks amazingly dry. However, there is what appears to be a very slow leak from the rear main seal...how big of a problem/repair is that?

Here are some pics. The tires are actually in really good shape, that's just mud (it lived for years on a deer lease).

 

[T?@\7]

Welcome aboard mate! Looking really good, esp for that price! interior looks nice n comfy

 

[sineo]

Hey everyone, couple of questions...

It looks like the rear main seal is leaking, but slowly. How big of a deal/repair is that?

Also, the rear window goes up and down with the key, but the interior button does nothing. What's the typical failure point for that system? Would replacing the button likely fix the problem?

 

[mattb]

Are you sure it's the rear main seal? I thought mine was leaking for a long time but came to find out it's actually the valve cover. Back of the passenger side. The rear main is pretty expensive to repair because they have to drop the tranny. Probably upwards of $400. You could try an oil additive to stop the leak. Like Golden Eagles No Leak or something similar.

 

[sineo]

Well, I guess I wouldn't bet my life on it, but I think that's where it's coming from. I'm taking it to Firestone in a bit to get all of the fluids changed (couldn't wait until tomorrow when my regular mechanic opens) and I'm sure they'll come up with a laundry list of issues.

As for the rear window, I magically fixed it by pushing depressing the window lock button...imagine that!

I bought this car from its original owner...it came with the original manuals and even the original window sticker. I thought that was cool, 21 years later.

 

[sineo]

$6 of spray paint later and I have no more rusty wheels

There's one rust spot that I'm going to pay someone to fix and then we plan on giving a roll-on paint job a shot. I've rattle canned lowers on an Audi I had years ago and it came out well, so I'm confident about giving this a shot.

One question about trim - mine has black trim and most I see have chrome. I prefer the black, but I'm wondering what the difference is? Model year? Trim level? It's an SR5.