pistol1000
New member
i think im around 30- 35 miles after the light 1st comes on never ran out of fuel yet
So my 4runner is SLOW...I mean, REALLY SLOW...advice!??
- Thread starter jarnld
- Start date
Just to give you guys a heads up on a problem i've been seeing on the older 4 runners with the 3.0 v6.If when you drive and the accelerator pedal (gas) seems hard and the truck is sluggish you may need a new throttle cable(gas pedal to throttle body)If you take a flaslight and look under the dash at the part of the pedal where the cable attaches to it has a rubber bushing that over time just falls apart and collapses.When this happens the cable looses its tension and becomes slightly longer,when this happens and you floor the pedal the throttle body plate is only half open.Part of the problem is just the motor (3vz) was not real powerful to begin with.I would make sure that all the tune up items are good including dist.cap,rotor,plugs,wires air filter.If the truck has high miles it cant hurt to put some BG44K additive in the tank.
SjamesT4R
New member
I have a 95 3.0 and im having the same problem.. I have replaced several parts trying to figure it out such as plugs, plug wires, igniter, new distrib cap, fuel preasure regulator, replaced the maf with another used maf.. I have not checked the Catilytic converter to see if that was it but somebody actually came by my house when my truck was parked in my driveway and cut the old one off anyway so im waiting on a new one that i bought to be shipped soon..
( that would be great to know if it was the cat and to know whoever stole my cat got a cloged one ..lol)
Just to let you know all the things ive replaced so that you dont go spending all the money I have.. Pay for a Diagnostic $90.00 from a shop and save the time and money avoiding the guessing game..
( that would be great to know if it was the cat and to know whoever stole my cat got a cloged one ..lol)
Just to let you know all the things ive replaced so that you dont go spending all the money I have.. Pay for a Diagnostic $90.00 from a shop and save the time and money avoiding the guessing game..
Subyswamper
New member
I have some of those slow issues as you describe. I live in denver ,co and have 31's on my '92 runner with the 3.0L . I made a cold air intake and it helped a little but I think the problem lies in my plugged cat and rusted muffler. My vehicle has 237k on it also.
amccalla89
New member
95 4runner
i have the 3.0 and yes its not as fast as my 91 talon tsi. but i knew this when i got the runner it has over 200k and still feels strong. any one that said it red lines at 45mph should learn how to shift. i just moved from north wy to denver co. i used the 4runner to move just about everything i own and it did a great job. included in things i moved is my harley. i towed it with with out to much effort. i still had no problem getting to 75mph although big hills would take me down to 60 or so. and thats over 1000 lbs of added weight but my runner is stock. look into the mods on this site. like air box mod and a different exhaust. i have my air box sitting on my desk right now!!! exhaust later this week!!! everyone needs to keep in mind this is a toyota it might not reach mach 4 but it will fun forever if you treat it right.
i have the 3.0 and yes its not as fast as my 91 talon tsi. but i knew this when i got the runner it has over 200k and still feels strong. any one that said it red lines at 45mph should learn how to shift. i just moved from north wy to denver co. i used the 4runner to move just about everything i own and it did a great job. included in things i moved is my harley. i towed it with with out to much effort. i still had no problem getting to 75mph although big hills would take me down to 60 or so. and thats over 1000 lbs of added weight but my runner is stock. look into the mods on this site. like air box mod and a different exhaust. i have my air box sitting on my desk right now!!! exhaust later this week!!! everyone needs to keep in mind this is a toyota it might not reach mach 4 but it will fun forever if you treat it right.
I just fixed my 1993 toyota 4runner that had no power at all.
I just fixed my 1993 toyota 4runner that had no power at all. You have to pull the plenum off the top of the motor then pull the fuel rails and take the injectors out get a new set of o-rings and you need to clean the filters out of the injectors with some alchol or something and then take a 12 volt power source with a momentary switch and put air pressure to the top end and tap the switch til the air comes out of the injectors smooth. that will fix the problem if you have a lot of money then spend the $129. for each new injector. I had one that was froze so i stuck a really fine strand of stainless steel wire in the tiny hole in the bottom and it freed it up. good luck
I just fixed my 1993 toyota 4runner that had no power at all. You have to pull the plenum off the top of the motor then pull the fuel rails and take the injectors out get a new set of o-rings and you need to clean the filters out of the injectors with some alchol or something and then take a 12 volt power source with a momentary switch and put air pressure to the top end and tap the switch til the air comes out of the injectors smooth. that will fix the problem if you have a lot of money then spend the $129. for each new injector. I had one that was froze so i stuck a really fine strand of stainless steel wire in the tiny hole in the bottom and it freed it up. good luck
I no longer am the last one getting threw the intersection.
I clean my injectors and I am now the first one getting threw intersections without trying. It actually has decent power and I am really happy with it now.
pajamawally04
New member
i have a 94 3.0, and it has decent acceleration. got it a week ago. drove bout 50 miles doing 75-85miles an hour and it would get there fairly quick.
when i got home, i did, a tune up on it. and it seems to be running fine. engine has about 204k and running 31" bridgestones
when i got home, i did, a tune up on it. and it seems to be running fine. engine has about 204k and running 31" bridgestones
Du6
New member
I'd check all the vacuum hoses. The 3.0 has a reputation of running like crap if there's any vacuum leak(s) at all. I recently replaced my hoses and had a noticeable improvement in performance. But even before I did this, I wouldn't have described mine ('90 3.0) as slow. You might have a bigger problem.
4runnerBrett
New member
Has to be something wrong. My 3.0 on 33s can take off at lights and get up to speed no problem.
Roboman
New member
The symptoms sound familar- extreme lack of power
Hi, I have a 92 with a 3.0 the power is extremely weak. I have replaced the cat with no benefit and now suspect the torque convertor. Not wanting to continue guessing I took it to my mechanic and they ran a test and discovered the head gasket was leaking. That started a long list of repairs...I now want to convert the motor over to a 22R. Hoping to find more on the forum regarding engine swaps. Being in CA with smog test it eliminates any motor that didn't come as an option from factory year/model specific.
Hi, I have a 92 with a 3.0 the power is extremely weak. I have replaced the cat with no benefit and now suspect the torque convertor. Not wanting to continue guessing I took it to my mechanic and they ran a test and discovered the head gasket was leaking. That started a long list of repairs...I now want to convert the motor over to a 22R. Hoping to find more on the forum regarding engine swaps. Being in CA with smog test it eliminates any motor that didn't come as an option from factory year/model specific.
CentCalKid
New member
2nd Gen 4Runners are legendary for their introduction of a stock, off-road worthy, passenger enclosed, trust your life to it, reasonably priced 4x4.
But the Fed Fuel Economy sticker said: 13 mpg City and 16 mpg HI way...that's pretty crappy by today's standards
Gutless above the then National HI way Speed Limit of 55 mph; the vehicle shines between 1K rpm and 2K rpm while off-roading. Bring Jerry cans, the 18.5 gal. fuel tank is sorely lacking. I have been impressed with my '94.
But the Fed Fuel Economy sticker said: 13 mpg City and 16 mpg HI way...that's pretty crappy by today's standards
Gutless above the then National HI way Speed Limit of 55 mph; the vehicle shines between 1K rpm and 2K rpm while off-roading. Bring Jerry cans, the 18.5 gal. fuel tank is sorely lacking. I have been impressed with my '94.
89FourRunner
New member
Re-gearing and keeping the tires small is the best bang for the buck, everything else is a waste of time and money really.
I am on 31" tires with my 3VZE and although it is quite slow, I never feel as though I am too slow for any road or highway, I can easily take the truck up to whatever speed I want, its just not fast at all.
Vacuum leaks cause a great deal of issues, as well as exhaust leaks before the o2 sensor. Get it all checked out.
I am on 31" tires with my 3VZE and although it is quite slow, I never feel as though I am too slow for any road or highway, I can easily take the truck up to whatever speed I want, its just not fast at all.
Vacuum leaks cause a great deal of issues, as well as exhaust leaks before the o2 sensor. Get it all checked out.
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T4R2014
Elite Member
Why would you swap out a sluggish V6 for something that is just shit?
89FourRunner
New member
If you plan to give up or junk the motor - you should consider giving one of the good liquid head gasket sealers a try. They vary in quality, but they can work as a permanent fix - especially if you did not even know it was leaking, as in clean oil and clean coolant. You have a good chance of success.
Steel Seal is the big one, a bit pricey but no where near a HG job if you cannot do it yourself.
i am just saying IF YOU plan to junk the engine and swap it out, before you do...
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