What service for a 250,000mile V6 4th Gen

[054Runner1]

Title says it all. I have a 257,000 mile V6 2WD 4th Gen. Im the original owner. Ive done regular oil changes, brake pads, replaced the rotors and calipers on the back, and tires regularly. Recently replaced the radiator and did a coolant flush. I want this thing to last another 100,000 miles with minimal issues so what all should I get done service wise? My brother and I can do most service work but some major stuff might need to be done by our mechanic friend. I know Im not gonna touch the transmission because I don't want to open up that pandoras box. Im willing to spend up to a grand.

 

[054Runner1]

Bump

 

[firebirdguy]

read the owners manual for suggested maintenance, it will provide all the info you need. or do a search here, tons of threads on it.

& you should definitely do a trans fluid exchange at that high of mileage. again, do a search for how & why to do it. there is no pandoras box & even toyota suggests changing the fluid at 100k miles & 60k if you've ever towed or abused it. dont do a "flush", do an exchange where you use the trans pump to pump out ~2qts at a time then refill 2 qts, do that 6 times back to back & you will have 90% new fluid in the trans to last another 100k. not doing it with that many miles is just asking for trouble. there is zero harm or risk to do a proper trans fluid exchange.

 

[2003-4x4runner]

Change the ignition coils for better gas mileage/throttle response.

I would recommend you change all the ignition coils. I have just over 255k miles and I replaced the coils when I changed the plugs. I've noticed a gain of 2 mpg and a better throttle response. Bought 6 Denso coils on Rock Auto for $375.00 The dealership wanted $1k dollars, LOL.

Had a transmission flush at 120K and 230K miles at the dealership.
Recently replaced the alternator, both UCA, driver side LCA, Both front wheel bearings, driver side rear wheel bearing, CV axles, and radiator.

I need to clean my throttle body when the weather gets better.

 

[T4R416]

Would change all the fluids like brake, power steering , transmission, all diffs, and clean out breathers, lube the prop shaft, do a throttle body service, maybe a efi system service, air and pollen filters, plugs .. check timing belt and suspension...

 

[firebirdguy]

Would change all the fluids like brake, power steering , transmission, all diffs, and clean out breathers, lube the prop shaft, do a throttle body service, maybe a efi system service, air and pollen filters, plugs .. check timing belt and suspension...

its a V6, no timing belt.

I would recommend you change all the ignition coils. I have just over 255k miles and I replaced the coils when I changed the plugs. I've noticed a gain of 2 mpg and a better throttle response. Bought 6 Denso coils on Rock Auto for $375.00 The dealership wanted $1k dollars, LOL.

Had a transmission flush at 120K and 230K miles at the dealership.
Recently replaced the alternator, both UCA, driver side LCA, Both front wheel bearings, driver side rear wheel bearing, CV axles, and radiator.

I need to clean my throttle body when the weather gets better.

coils usually either work or they dont. the coils didn't increase your MPG, the new plugs did... & your old plugs must have been in horrible condition or partially fouled if you think the mpg increased 2mpg from changing plugs.

 

[sonicc]

its a V6, no timing belt.

for what it's worth, timing chain isn't a life time item, they stretch over time, tensioners wear out, and timing chain guides wear out, so plan on doing that soon with that kind of mileage.

 

[firebirdguy]

for what it's worth, timing chain isn't a life time item, they stretch over time, tensioners wear out, and timing chain guides wear out, so plan on doing that soon with that kind of mileage.

i agree chains can stretch over a long time or from heavy abuse or even a defect somewhere in the assembly. but in general they last a long time & would only need to be replaced if there was a symptom or code thrown indicating the chain has stretched. its not something you just do because of an arbitrary number of miles or years like a belt. most (honest) mechanics will tell you not to mess with it unless theres a reason. chains dont usually break like a belt that will damage the engine, there are usually signs its getting stretched which is the benefit of a chain vs a belt. but of course anything can happen.

 

[4RunnerMexico]

At above 250k I’d look over or do the following stuff...

-look over the suspension, check ball joints, tie rods ends, steering rack, control arm bushings, sway bar end links and bushings, wheel bearings for any play or noise.

-Engine wise, look for oil leaks (valve cover gaskets, crank seal), check out spark plugs, pull your coil packs and check for cracks in the plastic,
check cooling system for leaks. replace radiator hoses if they are soft. honestly at that mileage I probably would replace the water pump and thermostat. Look at bottom corners of radiator for leaks.
If your running the original alternator I’d put a new set of brushes in it, they’re like $20. You’ll get another 200k out of it.
Replace any idler pulleys that make noise or have play on the bearings, check serpentine belt and tensioner.

-flush all your fluids, brake, power steering, change the oil in the diffs, maybe do a drain and fill in the transmission.

 

[T4R416]

i agree chains can stretch over a long time or from heavy abuse or even a defect somewhere in the assembly. but in general they last a long time & would only need to be replaced if there was a symptom or code thrown indicating the chain has stretched. its not something you just do because of an arbitrary number of miles or years like a belts. most (honest) mechanics will tell you not to mess with it unless theres a reason. chains dont usually break like a belt that will damage the engine, there are usually signs its getting stretched which is the benefit of a chain vs a belt. but of course anything can happen.

Why ask for opinions if you know everything ?

 

[sonicc]

chains dont usually break like a belt that will damage the engine, there are usually signs its getting stretched which is the benefit of a chain vs a belt. but of course anything can happen.

While the chains don't break often, tensioners and chain guides do wear out.

 

[Bossman]

4th Gen High Mileage Maintenance

200k Maintenance for 4th Gen T4R

Anything I'm forgetting? Preventative maintenance at 200k miles...

Approaching 200,000 miles

Original tranny fluid at 205k miles: would you change it?

 

[firebirdguy]

Why ask for opinions if you know everything ?

LOL. not sure what that even means. i didnt ask for opinions, simply provided accurate logical info to the comment about timing chains...

While the chains don't break often, tensioners and chain guides do wear out.

fully agree they can wear out.. but they dont wear out at some magical set mileage number or age.... there are 4runners & tacomas with this V6 engine at 300k+ miles with original timing chains, tensioners & guides. change them or the chain if/when needed, but there will be signs if they need to be replaced.

 

[Rommel]

The last time I remember someone changed the timing chain on his vehicle was he hit 500,000 miles.

 

[2003-4x4runner]

its a V6, no timing belt.



coils usually either work or they dont. the coils didn't increase your MPG, the new plugs did... & your old plugs must have been in horrible condition or partially fouled if you think the mpg increased 2mpg from changing plugs.

You're right, coils USUALLY work or dont work. But overtime they loose their efficiency. Coils produce thousands of volts and a lot of heat. With 250k miles on the original coils and the heat from engine will degrade the coils. Ive owned my 4Runner almost 16 year's now and I change my plugs every 30k miles, so it wasn't the plugs. With new plugs and original coils I was getting 16 mpg. With new coils and plugs, I'm getting 18 mpg, both driving at 65 mph. The numbers don't lie.

 

[firebirdguy]

You're right, coils USUALLY work or dont work. But overtime they loose their efficiency. Coils produce thousands of volts and a lot of heat. With 250k miles on the original coils and the heat from engine will degrade the coils. Ive owned my 4Runner almost 16 year's now and I change my plugs every 30k miles, so it wasn't the plugs. With new plugs and original coils I was getting 16 mpg. With new coils and plugs, I'm getting 18 mpg, both driving at 65 mph. The numbers don't lie.

that's great that was the case for your vehicle. are you suggesting thats the case for every vehicle out there? there are basic tests to check a coils voltage, 2mpg is a huge increase for just changing coils, maybe yours were actually bad.

the vast majority of vehicles out there will not see anywhere near that much of an MPG increase if any at all from a coil change, if that was the case it would be the #1 maint issue of all vehicles on the road! was just commenting about coils in general, most do not go bad at a unofficial mileage.