I have a 2002 Toyota Tacoma 4 door 6cyl 4x4 with 230,000 miles on it.
Yesterday it started to do what I would call skipping. You can feel it skip a cylinder or something. Its a very random rate, not a rhythm like one cylinder isn't firing.
I'm going to try to take it to Toyota for a look see. Hopefully they can just do the diagnostics plug, check the code and the part is CHEAP and fixed that day.
BISHOP
How old is the timing chain?Originally Posted by BISHOP
Returns June 3rd.
PROBABLY ORIGINAL. sORRY 4 THE CAPS.
BISHOP
Plug wires?????????????Dist cap??????????????plugs??????????????? Sounds electrical to me.
Dan
Plug wires are not chaffed or nicked.
No dist cap, electronic.
Plugs, possibly. Original since I bought it used in 08.
BISHOP
Plug wires don't last forever either. They start allowing moisture in via small cracks, arcing ect.... I'd just start by changing plugs and wires. My car is acting up too 218,000 on it, been a few couple, few years since wire and plug change, think I'll do that this weekend.
Last edited by 1 Patriot-of-many; 04-08-2015 at 10:26 PM.
The timing belts on the 5vzfe need to be changed at 90k mile intervals religiously. I have a 04 Tacoma Limited. Any check engine light?
The check engine light is always on because of a broken exhaust sensor that I'm not fixing, but oddly enough the light went out just before this problem appeared.
BISHOP
OK, next question. How much does a timing belt cost to be replaced. I don't do engine work, no knowledge nor tools.
BISHOP
Yep, change the plugs. They don't last forever.
If you have an Android smartphone, save yourself some $$$ and get a adapter to read any trouble codes.
http://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-.../dp/B005NLQAHS
I owned a 2000 Tacoma 2.7L from 30k miles to 280k miles and I went thru 3 sets of plug wires and the same amount of plugs.
For the 6 cyl, I think the timing belt is a critical item, get it changed if you are going to keep it.
Not sure on cost of the belt, my guess is $400-500
Lots of good info here:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/
Last edited by rktman; 04-09-2015 at 09:33 AM.
Does local high school have a votec auto shop? Ya might get them to do the work.....u buy parts. Just a thought.
Dan
Word on the street is $1500. It would be a good idea to replace the water pump, thermostat, and any idler pully's.
Yep, make sure you buy the double ground type. The 5vzfe plugs fire on the up stroke and down stroke is the reason for the 2 grounds.
I have a BAFX. Great tool that I use on all my vehicles.
Its all done. We won't talk about the cost of not having any tools to do it myself.
They said that the spark plugs were completely toast and that one of the plug wires showed signs of charring.
So new plugs and wires and now everything is working like it used to.
BISHOP
Glad to hear the problem was an easy fix. I've never wrenched on a Yota, but spark plugs are usually an easy job on rear-wheel drive based vehicles. All I need for my straight-six Jeeps is a ratchet, extension, a spark plug socket, and a gap gauge. It's a 10-15 minute job once you get the hang of it. I've found that learning to do your own work on simple repairs and preventative maintenance can save a ton of money. $80 per hour labor rates plus the MSRP cost of parts at a shop can add up very quickly.
The pen is mightier than the sword, but only when you're shoving it through your enemy's throat.
USMC Active Duty, 2004-2008
Gunsnet Member since January 2003
I used to do the plugs on my last Toyota, but even that one I had to remove a (something) to get to the last plug (4Cyl).
This one has the spark plugs buried in the engine.
I'm not an engine guy. My dad was never an engine guy so I never learned from him. Plus I have always lived at least 20 miles from the nearest car parts store so IF I did take something apart and then found that I needed more parts there was no way to get them since the car was apart. So I have a little fear of breaking something and never being able to leave to get another one. these days I am closer to a parts store but still only have one vehicle.
230,000 miles and still don't need a timing chain, but when I DO it will be on the side of the highway 75 miles from home.
BISHOP
Last edited by BISHOP; 04-09-2015 at 07:28 PM.
My Dad had a Pontiac Bonneville when I was a kid that you had to remove the inner fender wells to change plugs on. (big block)
Needless to say, he didn't think that was the coolest of features.
Returns June 3rd.
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