I picked up a 1984 4runner yesterday, with 274,000 on it for just under $1000. I bought this truck fully knowing that it will need a LOT of work to become a good daily driver (it can't pass safety or emissions at the moment). I drove it home, about a 30 mile drive, and it drove amazingly, temp guage was right where it should be. I got it home and took a closer look at it, when i realized that the coolant a nasty grey/black sludge, and the reservior is totally empty save for a small amount of black sludge at the bottom. Bad news. I checked the oil, and besides being very black (not sure when it was last changed) it looked normal to me. I tried starting it up again, and it turned over and over while shooting white smoke out of the tail pipe, failing to start. I let the engine cool down for a few hours and tried again, and it started right up, with no smoke at all. I'm not a very good mechanic, so I'm a little confused. Any idea what could be the problem?
Picked up a 1984, total beater with several issues
- Thread starter Plazzmo
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KidVermicious
New member
No sense borrowing trouble - start with a complete tuneup, plugs, wires, dist cap, change all your fluids, tune the carb real good, and then see how it runs.
If you still have trouble starting it or you're still blowing white smoke, a compression test will confirm your deepest darkest fears and give you a great reason to slap a 22re in there.
If you still have trouble starting it or you're still blowing white smoke, a compression test will confirm your deepest darkest fears and give you a great reason to slap a 22re in there.
