Still having acceleration issues

[stevew092984]

I thought I had fixed this issues with tightening the slack on throttle cable, but it still seems to lack torque on inclines. On the freeway if there’s any sort of incline, I can’t get the truck past 65 mph. I have a 98 limited 3.4l. 6 and just did a 30k miles service. Any ideas why I’m experiencing this lack of what I feel is torque power? Feels like I’m driving a fully loaded box truck up a mountain highway.

 

[spartacus]

I thought I had fixed this issues with tightening the slack on throttle cable, but it still seems to lack torque on inclines. On the freeway if there’s any sort of incline, I can’t get the truck past 65 mph. I have a 98 limited 3.4l. 6 and just did a 30k miles service. Any ideas why I’m experiencing this lack of what I feel is torque power? Feels like I’m driving a fully loaded box truck up a mountain highway.

Could be a TPS issue. Test the tps

Opinion on TPS Sensor/Engine Code

 

[stevew092984]

Wouldn’t that throw the check engine light?

 

[prybar]

I thought I had fixed this issues with tightening the slack on throttle cable, but it still seems to lack torque on inclines. On the freeway if there’s any sort of incline, I can’t get the truck past 65 mph. I have a 98 limited 3.4l. 6 and just did a 30k miles service. Any ideas why I’m experiencing this lack of what I feel is torque power? Feels like I’m driving a fully loaded box truck up a mountain highway.

is the lack of power new? You kinda have to build up speed before hitting hills on the freeway. I get passed by semis all the time. It's just a toyota thing lol

 

[Twisted Sid]

is the lack of power new? You kinda have to build up speed before hitting hills on the freeway. I get passed by semis all the time. It's just a toyota thing lol

Nope...
If thats true, that's not normal. My 4runner with 400k+ has no issue passing or climbing hills and gaining speed in the process and will pull rpm pretty much to redline.

 

[stevew092984]

Had to take it in to a mechanic and he told me that my cat and O2 sensor (the one before the cat) were bad. That’s something I didn’t want to hear because I had just bought that cat in November because I couldn’t pass smog with one that was on the vehicle when I purchased it. No serial number anywhere.

 

[prybar]

Nope...
If thats true, that's not normal. My 4runner with 400k+ has no issue passing or climbing hills and gaining speed in the process and will pull rpm pretty much to redline.

lol i don't redline mine. I was kinda exaggerating. It's one of the most common toyota jokes. They're not underpowered, but definitely not overpowered either. They're not that fast but that's why we love them.

 

[prybar]

Had to take it in to a mechanic and he told me that my cat and O2 sensor (the one before the cat) were bad. That’s something I didn’t want to hear because I had just bought that cat in November because I couldn’t pass smog with one that was on the vehicle when I purchased it. No serial number anywhere.

dang, a new cat clogged in under a year? You might want to check if you're burning oil or have coolant getting into your combustion system, cause that shouldn't happen that quickly

 

[stevew092984]

Sorry if I sound uneducated when it comes to mechanics, but how would I check if there’s burning oil or coolant in the combustion chamber?
Got the truck back from the mechanic and I asked him how I can avoid this happening again and he told me it could be a number of things. He then asked what gasoline I used and I said I use Costco exclusively to fill up. He then told me that’s my problem right there. Said 8 out 10 people who go to his shop for emission problems are using Costco’s gasoline. I’m not too sure how I feel about that. Any thoughts?

 

[prybar]

Sorry if I sound uneducated when it comes to mechanics, but how would I check if there’s burning oil or coolant in the combustion chamber?
Got the truck back from the mechanic and I asked him how I can avoid this happening again and he told me it could be a number of things. He then asked what gasoline I used and I said I use Costco exclusively to fill up. He then told me that’s my problem right there. Said 8 out 10 people who go to his shop for emission problems are using Costco’s gasoline. I’m not too sure how I feel about that. Any thoughts?

An easy way is to monitor your oil and coolant levels to see if/how quickly they're dropping. Smoke coming out the exhaust is another tell tale sign, but not always present. You can check your spark plugs to see if they have any buildup or anything, or even look at your cylinders with a boroscope to check for excessive buildup. Compression test/leakdown test might be the only surefire way to check, there are writeups on how to do that on the forum. There are probably other ways that other forum members might be able to chime in about.

I can't speak to costco gas, I haven't heard of any problems with it but I suppose it could be an option. As far as gas, I think any modern gas from a reputable company (chevron, 76, arco, sinclair) should be fine, as gas these days is so much better than it was 20 years ago. I've always used arco gas and haven't had any issues, though I have had the P0420 code for my entire ownership of the car.

 

[Reinout]

I thought I had fixed this issues with tightening the slack on throttle cable, but it still seems to lack torque on inclines. On the freeway if there’s any sort of incline, I can’t get the truck past 65 mph. I have a 98 limited 3.4l. 6 and just did a 30k miles service. Any ideas why I’m experiencing this lack of what I feel is torque power? Feels like I’m driving a fully loaded box truck up a mountain highway.

Just did a 30k mile service? How many miles on the truck?

Did this start after the service?
Anything special in the work order from your service that might hint towards what the mechanics did?

 

[FD7683]

I know you tightened your throttle body cable but to fix the gas pedal slack for good, replace the deteriorated bushing on the gas pedal. This will firm up your slack 100%. Creds to sleepydad!

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/2936430-post153.html