my new 2004 T4R!!!!

[Hapeacres]

Bought a 04 Honda Pilot for 9,000 off a used car lot and found out it had torque converter rumbles. Returned it back to same car lot and traded even for this 4Runner. I think I made out even better. What do u think? This V8 is a beast! Came with new tires, moon roof, tow pkg, and remote starter. I found out that it is a one owner truck from Boston and I called him. He said it has been serviced regularly at Toyota except the timing belt. It never towed anything and was only in 4 X 4 a few times to get out of snow in the driveway. He's a single guy and a businessman which explains the clean interior. I need to bring it back to the used car lot though because I am hearing creaking noises when going slow over bumpy roads. I think it may be worn bushings but really dont know. Otherwise its in great shape. Hopefully the used car lot can fix it under the one month warranty. Perhaps I should buy new shocks as well and have the mechanic install those too? Any suggestions?

 

[snowbrdr033]

Congrats on the new buy. Definitely check to make sure it will easily switch into 4LO, I've read cases of folks who buy trucks with 4WD and it won't turn into 4LO. If it works, great, if not, and you plan on using it, then you'll want to make sure it gets fixed....to pay out of pocket, I hear it's quite pricey.
If you keep it, make sure you switch it into 4LO at least once a month to keep it lubed up and working correctly.

Otherwise, can't think of anything else.....just pay attention to little stuff when you're driving!

 

[Snesley Wipes]

Congrats! Waaay better than a stinkin Pilot.

 

[zerowkul98]

What's the year and milage on this rig? You mentioned the Bostonian (which i am as well ) said he never did the timing belt. You'll get conflicting opinions on the timing belt (how long it REALLY lasts, etc etc) but its also the water pump that should get changed when that service is done. My dealership said that "it wasnt necessary as there is no sign of a leak", but when the mechanic got it off he found a small leak where the fluid was collecting in very small amounts and burning off in the water pump housing (see the pic below) so i would most def. get it done!

The typical 4Runner "things" to look for:

- Frozen caliper pistons
- Sunroof rust (you'll have to open the roof and inspect the black metal frame
- Cracked manifold
- Pull the weather stripping off of the rear hatch door seal, inspect for rust

Enjoy the Runner!

 

[Atlanta_man]

Incredible, you stole it if it has less than 100K on it and not a lot of rust underneath. How many miles ?

 

[Hapeacres]

Its a 2004 and just turned 148,000 miles. Not a lot of rust underneath (typical New England rust) and no leaky actuator or any other spots that I could see. However, today the check engine light came on along with the VSC and Trac Off all at the same time???? Its going back to the used car lot dealer tomorrow for them to check this out. Possible 02 sensor? Or are the lights coming on connected to the fact that it makes creaking noises like the sway bar bushings or control arm bushings are bad???

 

[DoWnAqT]

148k.... get the t-belt and water pump done...better safe then sorry... As for the CEL, the vsc and trac off will come on when the CEL comes on, they will set a code saying the engine has a fault code, just the way it works...Anyways if you decide you want to bring it to another shop to look at it. Let me know, Im a tech at a specialty independent toyota shop... shoot me a pm if interested. Thanks

 

[berettashot117]

if its a v8, it's either full time 4wd or it's a 2wd

 

[Hapeacres]

Autozone pulled a P0420 code "most probable below threshold Bank 1". Hopefully its just the sensor and the dealer will replace it along with the linkage or bushings or whatever is causing the "irking" noises underneath. I think once I get the engine lights and handling under control, this truck will be sweet. The original owner has a history of changing oil only at Toyota dealer every 5,000 to 6,000 miles from day 1, which is real nice to see! It runs fantastic and has plenty of get up and go. I walked into Grappone Toyota today and they want 750.00 to do the timing pump, water pump, and fan belt replacement. Lahr's Transmission shop right in my own town quoted me a maximum price of 650.00 (said it would be more like 620.00) for the same thing using Gates brand timing belt kit. I like the lower price and supporting my own local townfolk but I think I should stay with Toyota dealer and their OEM parts. What do u think? Are OEM kits Aisen brand? If so, I could have the locals install it as well. I would like to hear more about your specialty shop in Manchester. Is this work that you do as well?

 

[parboy]

Nice ride. enjoy it. DO the timing belt and water pump.. its a lot cheaper to do it then wait for it to fail. remember te folks that told you not to worry about it wont be around to help you when it goes out..

 

[Hapeacres]

That brings me to another question. I told the Toyota service rep that i wanted to do the service right away because it was way overdue and didnt want to kill the engine. The Toyota service rep who quoted me the timing belt price said that it is a common misbelief that when the timing belt breaks the engine will get damaged. He said all that will happen is leave you stranded. He said the old cars were built that way but not the newer toyotas.

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

That brings me to another question. I told the Toyota service rep that i wanted to do the service right away because it was way overdue and didnt want to kill the engine. The Toyota service rep who quoted me the timing belt price said that it is a common misbelief that when the timing belt breaks the engine will get damaged. He said all that will happen is leave you stranded. He said the old cars were built that way but not the newer toyotas.

Well, he's a idiot. The 4.7L V8 is a interference engine, so if it breaks it will Bend valves, and do other damage. If it was a non-interference engine, if it broke it would only leave you stranded.

Get it done ASAP.

 

[parboy]

I find a few things hard to believe..
1 A service advisor was trying to talk you out of doing service work. Most will chase you around the service department telling you that you will die of black lung if you dont replace the cabin air filter immediatly. :frisky: <- lol

2 that he would tell you that all that would happen is that you would be stranded? As if that is an ok thing.. I would have laughed at him and said and you think its alright that I would be stranded, paying for a tow and to repair the exact thing I am telling you I want done today? perhaps you should have asked to speak to a tech. they know what they are talking about..:wtf:

 

[TNTramair]

yea...most engines these days have very close tolerances and are interferance motors (meaning if the valve is in the open position and the piston comes up to tdc it will smack the valve...than its game over) so if its belt driven, should be replaced around 90k.

 

[Hapeacres]

He wasnt trying to talk me out of service. He just commented that it would not kill the engine and that I would be left stranded. So if that is not true, then yes, he is an idiot and should not even be working there. He was an older fellow around 60. Doesnt matter, I plan to anyways so no need to further discuss. I still am debating going to toyota for OME (Asain parts?) and paying 100 bucks more or going to my local transmission shop? I certainly think the transmission shop is more than capable of performing this work. Does anyone know the brand of the OME water pump and timing belt?

 

[parboy]

Toyota is the manufacturer. Bosch and Cardone make a pump to the 05 specs. But if Toyota has improved the pump design in the last 7 years you may not see that on the aftermarket pumps. I would not say Asian parts. Lets face it you would not compare Kia quality to Toyota. I would do OEM parts on any engine /drive train maint. If it lasted 100K from the factory in Tahara. it will last another 100k... Nice color choice by the way

 

[Hapeacres]

Sorry I meant "Aisin" not asian. I believe Aisin is the OEM manufacture of the water pump. The local tranny guy wanted to put in a Gates timing belt kit w/water pump and I was trying to find out what the OEM part was. I think its Aisin due to a couple of on-line parts dealer listing it as OEM. I think I am just leaning to pay the 750 to the dealer and be done.

 

[DoWnAqT]

Aisin is a popular toyota pump, Im not 100% sure if they make the v8....all the v8s pretty much leak. i've done alot of them and 9 out of 10 they are leaking, and that one...I replaced it anyways just so you dont have to open it for another 100k hopefully...

As for your p0420 code, an o2 sensor most likely wont fix it, you have 4 sensors monitoring the cats, and if the 02 is acting up, the computer will pick that up..so they may not have fixed that....I thought you had an 02 sensor code.

As for the quote, on the timing belt, we would probably be right around the same as the dealer maybe a little cheaper, im not 100% sure because I just do the work and my writer sells it. But we could work something out in your favor and you can pick from either aftermarket or oem, I would prefer oem myself, but if you want to save some more money, then you could go with oem...

Did the dealer quote you the Timing belt, Serpentine belt, and Water pump? or just the Timing belt and Waterpump?

 

[emcdemc]

I had same two lights on and it was that my gas cap was not on tight enough.

 

[DoWnAqT]

I had same two lights on and it was that my gas cap was not on tight enough.

you probably had a p0440 Evap malfunction code...related to to the gas cap