Zac_7803

So I jumped in my truck today (92 3.0 3VZE) manual without warming it up like I usually do. I did this because its 70 degrees out today and didn't think it really needed to be warmed up. So will driving, the truck was sputtering really bad when I would get into the pedal. So I run into the store come back out and drive home same thing happens. Any ideas what is causing this? Anything would be appreciated as I am at a loss for what is causing this.

z31freakify

the reason for warming your engine up is for the oil to go up to your camshafts and lubricate them if not they start to wear out quicker, and for your other problem clean your VAFM, with mass air flow cleaner, try checking your fuel filter/gas pump, run some Seafoam through your brake booster vaccum line this thing does miracles, did this to mine and got excelent results

Zac_7803

Ok great I will try that. Is cleaning the VAFM just a matter of taking it apart and cleaning it or is there other ways that you would recommend cleaning it. I was looking the other day at the fuel filter and it has been replaced with what looks like a NAPA fuel filter by the previous owner so I may go to the dealership and see if I can get an OEM filter instead. Also as for applying the SEAFOAM do you know of a write-up on that on here? I have never done this before. Sorry, for all the "newbie" questions I just wanna make sure I do this right. Thanks for the help.

z31freakify

just spray the cleaner directly to the port of the Vamf for 2 seconds let it dry and your good to go. As for seafoam the instructions are on back of the can there is no way of messing anything up.

Zac_7803

Alright awesome I will try this in a day or so. Thanks again.

z31freakify

good to help a fellow Yota member

Zac_7803

Alright I tried the seafoam and cleaned the VAFM the truck still has a major sputter to it. Any other suggestions fuel filter, plugs?

z31freakify

check those two, make sure the gap on the spark plugs is right, check your o2 sensor and your vafm is operating correctly

Zac_7803

Got a new fuel filter installed. On the way to and from getting the fuel filter truck never acted up, either way it has a new fuel filter on it now. I will drive a good distance tomorrow and we will see if that fixed it. Thanks again for your suggestions.

Zac_7803

No real change I thought it was fixed. I drove it around for a few hours with no problems then the next day it was acting up on my drive home. I swear it only happens after initially running the truck for the first time that day, then it seems to not do it after I have maybe stopped somewhere shut the truck off go about my business then get back in and drive away and it will be fine.

rworegon

Are you using any coolant? Have you pulled the spark plugs and looked at them?

Some have had similar symptoms when an injector is dripping fuel into the cylinder overnight or coolant is seeping in overnight. Engine then runs crummy until excess fuel or coolant is chased out of the cylinder.

Zac_7803

I am using coolant and I haven't figured out where its going.....I haven't looked at the plugs yet that was going to be my next place to check.

rworegon

A 3.0 using coolant likely points to a head gasket failure. Many, many threads here on the issue. Do you have excessive white exhaust smoke?

Time to do a leak down test and start the HG diagnosis. Or, as many will suggest time to do a 3.4 swap.

arlindsay1992

iTrader: (8)

I'd say replace the plugs. I had a cracked head and it would foul plugs about every two months. Right after replacement, the problem was gone. Then it would misfire when cold. Then it would misfire under hard acceleration. Then it would misfire all the time. Eventually I got a used head off Craigslist. I attribute this to a non-Toyota head gasket.

Here's how mine ran.

Zac_7803

Well its hard to say its getting pretty cold here (N .Idaho) so when first starting the truck it does have white smoke but once it warms up there is none. I just had the oil changed and there was no mention of the oil looking like it had coolant in it like some of the threads suggest.

arlindsay1992

iTrader: (8)

The head gasket was bad too I should add.

arlindsay1992

iTrader: (8)

My 22RE had smoke/steam coming out the exhaust when cold, once it was warm it stopped. I guess it was little enough to be totally boiled away before it exited the exhaust pipe.

rworegon

How much coolant are you using? Have you looked around the block to head interface for a primarily external coolant leak causing, maybe, some internal seepage. The lack of constant white smoke means the HG failure, if it's that, may be in the early stages.

When I was in the diagnosing stage with mine, I sent a oil sample off to Blackstone labs and the report came back with coolant in the oil. I was where you are sputtering at start up, no white smoke, but burning some coolant. Some may say a used oil analysis is overkill, but I found it to be another data point confirming my diagnosis.

See post 78:
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/r...35/index4.html

Zac_7803

I have used a gallon and a 1/4-1/2 in a little over a month. The truck runs fine except like I mentioned when it cuts out/ sputters/ acts like its not getting fuel for a second, whaterver you wanna call it its hard to describe. It doesn't run rough it runs at high rpms upon start-up like all Toyota's do then calms down and idles fine. I have noticed no leaks where the head/block interface meets. Thanks for your guys suggestions this is my only vehicle it only has 182k on it I need this truck to not let me down.

rworegon

Zac, given your rigs symptoms go to Blackstone's website and order up a oil sampling kit...for $25 or so you'll get a peek into your rig. In only takes about 4 ounces of oil caught after some has dropped out. Just top back off with fresh oil.

That is quite a bit of coolant you are losing. No leaks in the overflow tank?