toyota wont run

[sixgun8]

OK, I need some help here, no mechanic can figure this out.

93 toyota 4runner v-6 engine. 265K miles

About a month ago I got gas at a truck stop, never get gas here and within an hour the engine started bogging down. Well, I had been on a lot of dusty roads lately so my first thing was check the air filter. I checked it and it was dirty, I replaced it. Still no help, I added in STP complete fuel system cleaner, no help. About a week later i replace the fuel filter and it ran GREAT for about a week, then started bogging down again. Dying at stops signs, no power in 4th gear, slow acceleration throughout all the gears. Finally it dies on me and wont start. My first thought was the fuel pump. I towed it to a shop and they checked the fuel pressure and it is fine. They changed the spark plugs and it ran for about 10 miinutes and then nothing. They checked the cap and rotor, changed them out. Checked all the fuel lines and they are fine. They said there is nothing indicating a sensor is out? Only indication they got was the coil was faulty, so they replaced it....no help. We've towed it to another shop that specializes in foreign cars and they don't sound confident.

I am at my wits end and I NEED my vehicle back. Can anyone offer ideas or have this expereince themselves!!

 

[Kmvreter]

Not sure if a '93 engine has an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system but the EGR valve might have gotten carboned up from the bad gas and is stuck partially open. This won't necessarily throw a bad code in the computer but it will make for a rough or no idle situation.

 

[sixgun8]

checking through the Haynes manual I have I do not see any mention of a EGR valve, sensor or anything in the fuel and exhaust sections?? thank you though. I am basically sitting here at home now with the toy in it's second shop, this one is a foreign specialty shop....they didn't sound optimistic. I almost wonder if I should take the Haynes manual up to them???

 

[drmorbius]

checking through the Haynes manual I have I do not see any mention of a EGR valve, sensor or anything in the fuel and exhaust sections?? thank you though. I am basically sitting here at home now with the toy in it's second shop, this one is a foreign specialty shop....they didn't sound optimistic. I almost wonder if I should take the Haynes manual up to them???

Check the fuel filter again. It sounds like dirty gas(sediment). Drain the tank and lines and blow out the fuel filter. If the truck stops tanks were low and they had not cleaned them out for awhile sediment builds up at the bottom and you pump that right along with the gas into you're tank.

 

[sixgun8]

ok, I am assuming here, but wouldn't that not be an issue if in fact the mechanic said it had fuel pressure? I guess I am assuming that he Would have checked the pressure AT the fuel injectors?? I could be totally wrong here as mechanics are not my strong suit.

 

[drmorbius]

ok, I am assuming here, but wouldn't that not be an issue if in fact the mechanic said it had fuel pressure? I guess I am assuming that he Would have checked the pressure AT the fuel injectors?? I could be totally wrong here as mechanics are not my strong suit.

Mechanics often say they have checked when they have not. If you didn't see him do it then it's a crap shoot. I am basing my thinking on what YOU have said which is that the only thing that made a difference was changing the fuel filter. Just following the clues that you have provided...logically. I know I sound like a cynic but my own personal mechanic tried to give me crap about not needing a torque wrench to put spark plugs in an aluminum head, and the same thing about torquing the wheels. They make torque wrenches for a reason! Check out Jiffy Lube's record for not installing stuff they charged you for.

 

[sixgun8]

understandable assumption.

I do trust my mechanic, but I see your point.

I guess my question would be.....

If it were the filter again, it wouldn't have fuel pressure, right?

my mechanic almost seemed to think it was flooding itself out.

 

[drmorbius]

understandable assumption.

I do trust my mechanic, but I see your point.

I guess my question would be.....

If it were the filter again, it wouldn't have fuel pressure, right?

my mechanic almost seemed to think it was flooding itself out.

I agree with your thinking. Is this engine fuel injected? If it is it will have some sort of mass air flow sensor(a MAF or MAP). I guess I would check the connections to that device and/or try cleaning it.

 

[sixgun8]

that was my thought....I asked him about sensors and he said that the computer didn't say there was a sensor issue??? So I am LOST, this may be where his knowledge goes south. He actually towed it to another shop in town tht specializes in foreign vehicles....but they didn't seem enthusiatic that they could find the problem.