This problem is a doozy! Suggestions?

[sterbenlicht]

I wanted to tell you to check that crank bold so badly last night, but then I saw your post on the fuel pressure drop and was glad I didn't mention it because I'd have been wrong. Recently someone else in the forum had very similar issues. Loss of power and poor gas mileage were their chief complaints. I also have a friend with a Tacoma and he did the exact same thing and was having timing problems. We also had an old Supra come through our shop a couple of years ago and chased the cause of very similar symptoms. Sure enough, loose crank bolt. Very glad you found the problem!

 

[toyo]

Thanks for all your suggestions with this guys. It's been many years since I had to really get into a 3.4L engine.

At least I can tell the owner that every freaking engine related part has been scrutinized!

 

[toyo]

Here are the pics of the gear. Look at that groove it made. Removing the key was a tedious process to say the least. It was really set into the crankshaft.

 

[Red October]

Wow! :jaw: Did that damage the Crank snout at all? I have seen this happen on other motors, and it always damaged the crank too.

 

[poleclimber63]

Wow!

Good lesson for the us weekend mechanic apprentices! A generous helping of loctite maybe in order, on future TB/WP jobs! I just did 3 in the last 6 mo. and used an impact driver to on/off these bolts!:fear:

I'll keep an eye on mine... maybe if I have time this Winter (when my 4Runner is off the road), I'll give it a snug...... (and buy a torque wrench that will do 217 ft lbs!!)

 

[TheDurk]

Good lesson for the us weekend mechanic apprentices! A generous helping of loctite maybe in order, on future TB/WP jobs! I just did 3 in the last 6 mo. and used an impact driver to on/off these bolts!:fear:

I'll keep an eye on mine... maybe if I have time this Winter (when my 4Runner is off the road), I'll give it a snug...... (and buy a torque wrench that will do 217 ft lbs!!)

Red LocTite is a must if reusing bolt. Toyota specs new crankbolt which comes with encapsulated thread-locker pre-applied. 250 ft-lb. torque wrench is a must for this job.

 

[poleclimber63]

Red LocTite is a must if reusing bolt. Toyota specs new crankbolt which comes with encapsulated thread-locker pre-applied. 250 ft-lb. torque wrench is a must for this job.

Had a look at the specs on my impact driver and it max. torque 240ft.lbs.... I hit it pretty damn hard... now for a new torque wrench and some elbow grease....

When I noticed in the FSM the bolt was a replacement item, I contacted my 2 local Toyota dealers and they told me it wasn't a stocked item. They also told me it would have to be ordered from California or Toronto??? (I live out west) go figure.

thanks for the feedback!