Low 2 NO #4 cylinder! HELP! '95 4Runner

['95Newbie]

After buying my '95 4runner "3.sloooww" I decided to install a cold air intake(e-bay cheapo) to get more power.....nah...just a little and a lot of noise. After running it for 4 months ( rough, a lot of vibration, misfire) I Sea Foam'd it and still nothing but rough. So I un-installed the cold air intake and put back factory. Took it to a mechanic to have the compression checked and alas # 4 is dead in the water (10psi)....what is my next step. Do I look for another engine? ( I am BROKE) or What!!???

 

[Hyde802]

Could be a stuck valve. Your at least looking at a rebuild.

No wonder you called it a 3.slow, you only have 5 cylinders!

 

[SV_Dude]

10 psi? wow... I would think there is a stuck valve or something going on in the head. Pull the valve cover and look at the valve springs for that head and see if they look jacked up. The valves for the #4 cyl should be easy to identify if there is a problem with them I think.

 

[mikedks]

Yeah, 10 psi is way low, does sound like a stuck valve. Do like SV says and pull the valve cover and have a look.

 

[GonOvr]

I had the exact same problem on the #4 as well. Mine was the valve and seat that were burnt out. As mentioned you're looking at a rebuild or replacement.

 

['95Newbie]

Thanks...I think....

Thank you for all the responses, just not what I wanted to hear....re-build....blah.(time and money, have neither) Upon further investigation I believe you are all correct and there is a burnt exaust valve. Is there any way the head gasket could be cracked at that point? Should I try one of those "magic bottle" head gasket fixes? I figure I do not have a lot to lose at this point. Anyone know a good engine source in Houston TX? Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

 

[DC runner]

I would say there is a high probability that you have a head gasket issue, as well as a burnt valve. The HG is a notorious weak link in this engine.


As for a good engine source. How much can you afford? Nothing? Some? Little? TX is awesome for pick and pulls, and you should be able to find a used engine. If you have a little more money, you can buy one of the turnkey crate 22re's or 3.0 to put in...?

And of course, you can have it rebuilt. Again, what are you looking to spend? If you can afford neither...

 

[SV_Dude]

If it's just an valve issue, that's isolated to the head. Why would a rebuild be in order? As long as the bottom end (crank, pistons, etc.) is in good shape I would think that you can just fix or replace that one head, right?

 

[Hyde802]

If it's just an valve issue, that's isolated to the head. Why would a rebuild be in order? As long as the bottom end (crank, pistons, etc.) is in good shape I would think that you can just fix or replace that one head, right?

I agree with this.

 

['95Newbie]

Okay...so how difficult would that be to do...scale 1-10? I can turn wrenches and follow directions, but time is my problem...and well $$$. I have about six-hundred I can use and that is it. How long is it drivable without doing more damage? And going back to the source, What would cause exaust valve to burn up...burning too lean...what causes that? I am full of ? I hope you do not mind.

 

[SV_Dude]

As to what would cause it, it could be a few things. Low oil pressure, maybe a clogged oil passage, maybe it was running lean and over heated that valve?

Take the valve cover off, take a good look in there and see what happened. At this point, we're not even 100% on the fact that it is a valve. Take the valve cover off and take a picture and post it up here. You're going to have to pull the head anyways, so go ahead and do that too. Take a picture of the bottom of the head and the cylinder/piston.

I wouldn't drive it till it gets fixed. It might not hurt much but in my mind, something like that means it gets parked till it gets fixed. As long as the problem doesn't extend beyond the head, $600 should be more than enough.

Download the FSM at the top of the forum and look over the task for pulling the head. Be sure you're doing it right (torque sequence, etc.) so you don't make more of a problem for yourself. The FSM will also have tasks for checking the head for warpage.

 

[mikedks]

Its very doable if you can sling the wrenches a bit, don't think its possible to do the whole job for 600 bucks though. I just did the heads on my 95 over the summer, much help from the forum members(thank you). Rebuilding the heads cost me $300, but I think that may have been pricey. Standard valve job, replace two burnt exhaust valves, and mill the surface. Timing belt kit cost me
$160 and I think the upper end gasket kit and head bolts cost me another $200 or so. Plus I replaced tons of hoses and tune-up parts and bolts, etc. It ain't cheap.

I wouldn't hesitate to rebuild the top end, bottom ends on these motors are pretty tough. But if you have never gotten into one of these motors and are
low on $ and have a short time frame, then you may have issues.

 

[Hyde802]

When I rebuilt the motor that was going in my 92, it had so-so compression due to leaky valves. By doing a simple valve grind it along with new gaskets brought my compression to 160psi across the board (ok, 1 was at 140)

It didnt cost me anything (other than gaskets) and fixed my leaky compression. If moneys tight, you find a way to do it cheap.

Were now in a much bigger nicer shop.

My parts washer

Clean vs dirty

Valve spring compressor

Home made tool to allow me to compress the spring and get to the keepers. Works mint.


On a side note, in order to re shim it back to specs, I was using shims from 2 sets of heads which allowed me to get by without buying shims. I think I still have the ones that I didnt use, If you do end up doing this, Id be happy to send them to you.
Just my 02

Edit: Found some more pictars.

 

['95Newbie]

Thanx, I have to find a beater to drive so I can do the work while I work...lol. Yo have been very helpful and I will for sure take pics as soon as I start.....I am having a feeling I will need some help. Thanx again, talk soon

 

['95Newbie]

Thanx, still figurin' $ You guy's kick ass ..best forum..great info.

 

[SV_Dude]

Go to the classified section on yotatech.com

There are guys parting out these 4runners and trucks all day long. Maybe you can find someone that has a head in good shape that will get you by for a while.

 

['95Newbie]

Thanx.. I will stay in touch, you have been a great help!