Poor acceleration?

[foamandtape]

Hi all, long time lurker here. Just joined as I can't seem to find a solution from google and looking at it for hours.

my runner is a 94 3.0 V6, I just purchased it for 300$ last year. My Father and I rebuilt the motor (swapped it for another 3.0 laying around in the garage) the original problem was a blown head gasket. long story short, it runs just fine and idles ok. The problem arises at high way speeds going past 45 it seems to really slow down, it really doesn't downshift at all. its funny driving on a flat road with the accelerator mashed to the floor and the motor just hovering at 2800 rpm. its not burning oil or smoke, gets about 16-18 mpg.

basically all the things we've changed that have had no affect were

-removed cat
-changed air filter
-replaced entire fuel line assembly
-new fuel pump
-new fuel filter
-replaced all the brake lines (unrelated)

I'm thinking maybe we plugged all those stupid vaccum lines in backwards somewhere, (all the lines were marked by the previous mechanics, so maybe they have messed it up to begin with)


any feed back would be much appreciated!!!!:wtf: I'm going on a trip soon and the hills in Virginia are going to be a death sentence for my runner

 

[Diverse4runner]

Its a PITA but it might be a timing issue. It could be the VAC lines I would check that first then go from there.

 

[Hyde802]

Check your timing. If its at the factory 10* try bumping it up to 14*ish.

 

[4runnin83]

I just had my waterpump and tbelt and whatnot changed, since having it changed mine runs a bit better. (I don't know about the timing, I had a mechanic do all the work, I just bought the parts).

Also have the 3.0

 

[KBJ]

Throttle Position Sensor not working correctly maybe?

 

[foamandtape]

thanks guys, i'll give these a go and report back my findings:bravo: that or swap for the 3.4 :bat:

 

[Clone of the Mean]

Automatic or standard? Any dash lights on, brake or O/D?

 

[foamandtape]

Automatic or standard? Any dash lights on, brake or O/D?

Auto, and no lights on the dash. Brake light has came on but replenishing the fluids has made it go away.

these are my only dash lights! :naughty:

 

[4runnerBrett]

Thats pretty badass

 

[Clone of the Mean]

Does it feel like it's shifting gears when you accelerate? Mine was kind of iffy when I drove it. Kinda like a go kart, mash the pedal and wait to get going fast. Like I was starting off in 3rd gear. Try manually shifting and see what happens. Mine turned out to be shift solenoids. Runs like a champ now...

 

[foamandtape]

hmmmmmmmmm..... Ok, checked the vac lines and they're all good. Advance timing to 12 and replaced TPS... still runs about the same, just a *little* better on the highway. Still dosen't down shift when the accelerators mashed:redbrick: and now the check engine light is on :bash: luckly its only code 52 (knock sensor something) sooooo I guess we pulled a wire while fiddling with the stupid philips drivers on the tps. oh well.. I guess im driving 12 hours tomorow with that stupid light glaring at my face. :lookout:

 

[foamandtape]

nvm.... thinking out loud here. I think we didn't adjust the TPS... I didin't realize you had to adjust it (that's why it had those cut outs for different positions) I'm such an idiot, I should have read the FSM first. :rtfm:

quick question? where do I place the feeler gauge on the throttle body for the different measurements?