Odometer tampering?

[mijohnst]

I'm new to the club... for a second time. I used to have a 1999 4Runner SR5 and mistakenly sold it. I wised up and started looking for another one and found a 1998 Limited 4x4. It really drives like a dream and I'm very happy. I'm suspicious though because it only has 103k on it after 14 years and looking at the engine it's very dirty. I drove a Tacoma pickup to 120k from 1997-2007 and it never came close to looking that grimy and I never cleaned it. Are there things I can look for to see if that's what happened or did I just luck out? Mechanically speaking it sounds and seems solid. The steering wheel isn't perfectly aligned with the dash cluster, so that has me wondering too.

The carfax check-in history goes like this:
01/1998 = 25 miles
04/2001 = 28,000 miles
04/2003 = 42,000 miles
04/2004 = 48,000 miles

After 2004 they stopped having the emissions tested so there is nothing else to report. Looking at the numbers it seems consistent up to 2004. I guess I'm just wondering why the engine would be so oily and dirty and why the steering wheel would be off a little. This is my 4th Toyota with the 3.4 engine (2 4Runners and 2 Tacomas) and none of them ever got oiled up like this one. Am I'm making something of nothing?

By the way, I love this forum. So many great tips and I ideas! I'm so happy I found this place!

 

[4-Ripcord]

Maybe the PO went mudding in it or something, either way its no biggie. Get an alignment and mention the steering wheel. 30 mins later and you're all hunky dorey.

I dont get what your asking about the mileage. Seems normal to me, given the trend it was progressing. Is it the same owner from when those numbers were taken?

Dont forget to read the buyers guide.

 

[004runnerLtd]

There's many things that could cause an oily engine, and it doesn't necessarily mean there's a leak.
Perhaps the previous owner spilt fluid all over, and didn't clean it up.

It doesn't hurt to check all of your seals though. Better yet, get some Simple Green and clean your engine. Watch your fluids, and also see if the oily deposits come back. If so, you're going to want to find that leak. If not, enjoy your new clean engine bay.

Hope you enjoy the 4runner!

 

[mijohnst]

Thanks for the reply guys. I am feeling better about the purchase and will clean up the engine this weekend and start watching for leaks. The buyers guide is awesome. I wish I'd found it earlier.

 

[99runnerwa]

Does it have larger size tires on it? This can throw the odo off.

 

[mijohnst]

Actually the tires on it are stock size tires and brand new at that. I don't care much for Firestone but I'll let them carry me for a few years before I switch out to Michelin.

 

[99runnerwa]

Ah ok. Was just an idea on what might throw the mileage off. Probably just a messy PO, or maybe a valve cover gasket. You have plans to build it or cleaning it up and making a clean stock rig?