carrotjuice

Hey Guys,

I'm in a big conundrum - basically I'm listing all the problems so that I won't have to post multiple threads and or confuse other members.

A little bit of background, I acquired a 91 4Runner in a trade for my trusty 93 MPV. I thought the 4Runner I bought was reliable, but so far, these are the problems that I have encountered with it.

Problems Listed:

1) Pedal is extremely tight - need to slam the accelerator to get the 4runner moving.
2) Steering makes a lot of noise (groaning when doing turns) and is tight.
Steering fluids leak.
3) White Smoke comes from the exhaust continuously
4) Rear Cargo Door Doesn't Open from a dead inactive rear window
5) The Windows get all Fogged up even when I put on the defroster
(especially the passenger side windows). It takes a long long time for even
the front windshield to get defrosted from all the humidity (breathing)
6) Horn is non-existent
7) Seat belts don't work properly - they do not retract back to their place.
8) Extremely bad fuel economy (80km to a tank)
9) The Instrument Panel Lights are dead and the headlights are weak (1
meter)
10) There is a trail of smoke that comes out of the motor oil cap when I open
it after a drive (and it gets extremely hot to the touch)

At this point, does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do?

Should I just give up, and just retire the 4runner? I already spent $600 replacing these following things at the mechanic:

-Battery, Front Rotor, Front Caliper, Front Brake Pads, C/V Boots, Master Cylinder O2 Sensor.

Please help!

fillsrunner4

1. If its a 3.0 thats why
3. headgasket maybe
5. clean the windows
7. search and youll find help with that
8. again probably 3.0 and if so give it a tune up plugs wires cap rotor fuel and air filter see if that helps some
9. pull the dash and replace the bulbs in the dash

If you can i would sell and try to get your money back if possible

fillsrunner4

Also if you sell and still want a 4runner get the 22re or go newer and get the 3.4

If you have the 22re now i would rebuild it and be good to go another 200k easy. 3.0 sell sell sell
Sorry but it sounds like a lemon

Jay351

How bad is the white smoke comming from the exhaust?

80km to a tank?!?!? Thats insane.

Well, all the problems you have with the engine alone, I would call for a possible rebuild or replace.

guage lights can be replaced easily. Hardest part is taking apart the cluster itself ( dash can be taken apart in just a few mins easy)

Did you test out your wiring to your headlights? Might be shorting out, or your lights are just bad.

My steering pump groans allday, thing was run dry. Still works fine, I will eventually replace it

Rear window, I would take out the panel and start lookin at things. Somthing might be unhooked.

defroster, what settings do you have it on?
Is it just a very weak blower? Or is not hot?

Well to answer your question about keeping it.

How is the body? Dents, paint etc.
How is the frame? rusty?
Got any pictures?

idanity

fog x the windows (like rainx, but made for fog and inside (like bathrooms/ mirrors/ and cars w/out heat at all. it works great, as long as you dont touch the windows. leaves a thin layer of oily film, but its on my old 86, and been doing that for months.)

white smoke would be coolant burning, blue is oil.
perhaps a head gasket.

tight pedals, i dont know, check your cables or throttle body.

horn- rewire, add a air horn (20 bucks) easy
lights, easy to replace/rewire.

dim lights=-alt, or just old, really old good bulbs that turn yellow.

check your oil cap.
is it burnt inside, is there black buildup.
did you overheat your truck lately?

isaac338

and how much do you want to bet somebody filled it with power steering fluid instead of the required ATF, causing it to leak and not work properly?

HOOLIGAN 4 LIFE

1.) USE SOME WD40 ON THE CABLE @ THE THROTTLE BODY.
2.) USE SOME WD40 ON THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY.
3.) Like fiilsrunner4 said "head gasket".
4.) Climb over seats pop off the cover, check the connector it will sometimes rattle loose, or replace the solonoid for the window motor
5.) Mine does the same thing even when the windows are spotless, just cleaned and sparkling.
6.) Fuse possibly.
7.) If you wana go this far ,remove the cover and degrease / de dust. 17 yrs of crap built up in that mecanism. WD40 will work for a quick fix but might also smell.
8.) If you have the 3.0. thats just life.
9.) Try turning the knob on the dash board to adjust the brightness/ darkness of the dash light, if you havent already. Altenator maybe ,and the head lights might just need some newer brighter bulbs.
10.) Not sure. probably pretty normal after youve been driving it for a while might be running a little hot.

Sounds like you got a pretty beet up trade but with some tlc it'll come around if not just get rid of it. good luck with all those problems

carrotjuice

A: Body isn't so bad, the frame is a little bit rusty, and the foot step is coming apart. Near the rear, the metallic bumper is also coming apart. I will post pictures later on.

carrotjuice

I didn't overheat the truck lately, but whenever I open the oil cap, theres wisps of smoke that comes out. Yea..and there's also black buildup as well.

I already applied WD 40 on the Throttle Body Mechanism but without any avail.

carrotjuice

If someone did fill it with power steering fluid instead of ATF, how would i flush it? Would it be possible for someone to show me through pictures?

I searched the forum, and someone mentioned it, however, I'm not that mechanically inclinced

Squeebs

For the fog, set your air switch to take it in from outside.


Works for me.

Targetnut

It really sounds like you've got a head gasket issue amonst other things. I'm concerned that a mechanic would have taken you money to perform the other repairs listed without advising you on the condition of the vehicle.

I'd suggest that you find a good mechanic and get them to give you a fair evaluation. from this end it doesn't sound very hopeful.

nathan751

I drove my buddies 3.0 and the throttle on it is in perfect shape, but it too feels really heavy.

For the bad fuel economy, that is ridiculous. I would check for a fuel leak with that kind of milage. Namely at the hardlines going to the fuel pump.

notanymore

80km to a tank sounds like you might have a fuel leak or something like that.