My T4r stays in gear longer than it used to?

[10majfar]

It's a third gen 1998 limited 4X4 v6 4runner with about 212,000 miles on it.

Four years ago, at about 180K, it was wrecked (fell in a pit) with some front end damage. The mechanic said the engine was fine, just whatever sits up front was smashed. We got the whole thing fixed for about $800 (not including airbags.)

The past few years after the wreck, I've noticed a gradual decline in acceleration, with an increase of engine noise.
Also, the accelerator feels like it's covered in molasses. When pressed, the engine is slow to respond. When released, it's slow to return.
It doesn't downshift up hills or when floored. It stays in gear very long, getting close to the redline, screaming but not budging.

So far a couple mechanics told me, without inspecting the car, that it needs a new transmission filter. But I've read on here that our trucks don't need that replaced, and replacement after 212K miles might be dangerous.

So, if you read all that, what is my next move? Right now all I had planned was using seafoam at my next oil change, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

*I will also be doing some of what this guy did; http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...ning-horrible-but-not-any-more-hopefully.html

 

[kball]

check your cables on the throttle body. specifically the one that goes to the trans. I think it's called the kickdown cable, it tells the trans when to downshift when a certain amount of throttle is pressed. Kinda sounds like that cable is stuck.

 

[10majfar]

I added "clean throttle body" to my to-do list. Sorry for my ignorance, but I have no idea where the 'kickdown' cable is. My FSM should be here in a couple days, but until then I'll be googling for diagrams.

 

[kball]

This pic only shows one cable but basically do the first step. Make sure your cables are moving freely.

http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/1996/SIL...02rmsour/2002/024runne/sf5vzfe/thrbod/ovi.pdf

 

[10majfar]

Thanks Kball, that pdf is very helpful. I will take a look at the throttle body cables but first I wanna seafoam through the PCV.
Just to make sure, is this the PCV hose?

 

[kball]

Yep, that's the one.

 

[Tomsriv]

It kind of sounds to me like you have a blocked exhaust. Maybe a clogged cat converter.

Connect a vacuum gauge and check.

With the engine at idle you will have a reading of 16-20" of vacuum (this varies based on altitude, barometric pressure, etc.)
Rev the engine quickly and you should see the needle drop to zero instantly.
Allow the throttle to close quickly; the needle should return to the original reading (16-20) instantly.

If the system is clogged the needle will return to something a bit higher than than the 16-20" and will then drop slowly back to the original 16-20". If it does this then you probably have a clogged converter. Hope that helps.

 

[brian2sun]

Be sure to go slow with the seafoam, it can hydrolock the engine if you pour it in too fast. especially through the PCV.

 

[10majfar]

Be sure to go slow with the seafoam, it can hydrolock the engine if you pour it in too fast. especially through the PCV.

What are the chances, I just posted a thread with that problem.

 

[brian2sun]

Just pour slowly and have a buddy work the throttle if he needs to to keep it running. The chances aren't high, I think you should do it. Plugs and wires? Fuel filter?

Could be a tranny thing too, but either way I would drop the pan and change the filter on it if it was mine, just for maintenance if nothing else.

 

[10majfar]

Tomsriv; Thanks for the tip. I've gotta take it to the shop tomorrow to do that. First I want to make sure my engine is fine after that seafoam.

Thanks Brian. Some other guys also recommended changing the fuel filter when this happens. I will have to order one if this keeps up.