kingbiscuit

I have been having some trouble with my V6 SR5 4runner 1998 for a while. It had been misfiring off and on for about a month, but I just changed the plugs 20K ago. I finally took it in when the misfiring was consistent and not just happening once a week or so.

Here is a run down of my crap week
Monday - Take it to shop Mechanic says bad coilpack in cylinder 6, because I had put in the wrong spark plugs, and as a result the coilpack overheated. They replace the coil, but they didn't bother to change the plug, eventhough they stated that is what caused the coil failure.
Drive home monday 6PM and it still feels funny.

Tuesday - drive to work and check engine light comes back on

Wednesday - take it back to shop in the morning. I gave them notice on tuesday that I was going to take it in that morning. By wed 4PM they still had not run the proper diagnosis to see if it is the fuel injectors, so they need another day. I called them they did not call me. Terrible service

Thursday - I just called them 2PM and they say it is a bad injector. No offer to change the injector for a discount despite the total inconvenience. "Will it be done tonight?". "Nope, tomorrow at noon"

I ask them if maybe the coil was not broken from the very beginning, and they state that they ran an Ohm reading on it to verify it was broken. I have never even heard of this. I didn't know you could check a coilpack in this manner. Needless to say I am pissed, and I have no idea what to do.

mt_goat

What CEL codes were you getting?

fillsrunner4

Sounds like its time for a new mechanic! What kind of plugs did you put in that they claim destroyed the coil pack? And if they told ytou that why did they not replace it? Did you tell them not to?

brooklee1000

Probably either a bad ground (on the battery) or you could also check the plug wires for charring or any grey spots that indicate they may be grounding out. Make sure they touch nothing that gets hot, and keep away from metal parts.If the plugs are new, did you gap them? They MIGHT be causing the problem, but it is unlikely.

90% of electrical problems are due to bad ground, or something grounding out. Ask if they checked the wires and ground cables. Any competent mechanic should have checked those first, before replacing parts here and there. From the bad service you describe, it sounds like you are being taken. I would go somewhere else.

olharleyman

Ask for a refund because they did not fix the problem you brought it in for yet charged you for a seemingly un needed repair

xcmountain80

I say for what there going to charge you you might as well go to Toyota for service.

Aaron

kingbiscuit

Yeah I know. I'm pretty pissed.

My original spark plugs I put in, because autozone suggested them, were bosch. I realized after putting them in they weren't the best option, but I thought it just meant they may burn out early, not that they will overheat and ruin my coilpacks. I just am having a hard time believing this.

Has anyone used an ohm meter to test a coilpack? I have heard of switching them between cylinders.

98crazyrunnerJE

to test the ohm's you take a volt meter and test the ohm's comeing out of that injector and then check the other 5 and compare your readings but you should take your vehicle to a toyota certified shop I have never had a problem with toyota some times its a little more expensive but its worth it, becasue of this reason.

Noltz

Dude, you're getting hosed. Get out of there.

Lets assume your Check Engine light was a misfire code (P030x). The tech would then take the misfiring cylinder coil and swap it with another and drive it until it misfires again. If the misfire moved with the coil, it's a bad coil. If it does not, you suspect the injector. This is not hard diagnostics! And I've never seen a coil overheat due to the "wrong" plugs. Call Autozone or whoever and ask what the part number is for Bosch plugs for your Runner...

Then ask the mechanic "why is it listed as a compatible component with your competition?"


Always, ALWAYS, ask for your old parts back.

BajaRunner

Just, wondering, who you brought it to in SD?

If you live up in North County, try Bill Smith Automotive in Solana Beach. They've been here for 25 years, and my dad has been going there since they opened.

JamesD

Coming from a mechanic you are getting ripped off. These guys are parts throwers. Get your money back and file with the BBB if they are with the BBB. It would most likely take me roughly 30 minutes to diagnose your problem. Tell them to put the old part back on. They may tell you that they threw your part away so be prepared. Also if you paid by credit card and they do not give you a refund, immediately go to the bank and file a dispute. Good luck!

James

Bigblock

I've had Bosch +2's in mine for 15k!
Bigblock

BajaRunner

By wrong spark plug, do you mean it was only a single ground electrode ?

98runner210

I am not too sure about this one but I owuld think that the coil throws a specific amount of voltage at each fire. If you have the wrong sparkplug, I wouldn't think the coil would compensate and throw more juice. Maybe I'm wrong. At my shop if we make a repair and the vehicle comes back with the same problem we credit the last repair to the new one if we can't put the old part on and refund.

ozziesironmanoffroad

did the mechanic at least use a lot of lube??? cuz your gettin raped badly, my friend.

netwt12

i know when i got raped by a mechanic i had grease all over my back. check your shirt it's the only way to be sure.