808toys

Anyone know how to check if your Taco is running at it's optimal? Just did a timing belt change twice cuase i was off by a tooth. Then lined everything up again went for a test run, and forgot to pull the hydraulic tensioner pin. Do you think it might have jumped out of alignment.
When test running it ,it did get hot because i did not have enough anti freeze in it.So filled it up and now it stays normal. For some reason it feels like it lost some power again,or it could be me friggin out.
I was hoping i could check the timing without taking all apart again. My ? is how to see if its running at its optimal performance. Thank for any advice

rworegon

It could have skipped a tooth if the tensioner was not released. It would be easy enough to slip the cam cover back a bit and see if the cams are at TDC and then look and see if the timing mark is at zero too.

808toys

ok will do that. I will check it and let you know how it went Thanks

808toys

Thank goodness its all lined up. I must just be wiggin. I feel better knowing its at TDC. Thanks again

808toys

My 99 taco 3.4l v6 just had a head job.Changed out pass side head. Got it in,new timing belt and so fourth. It starts right up idols fine,but cant get it to go pass 50mph its sluggish. If going down hill its ok but it still lacks power.
I am also not getting any codes. I read maybe cat converter not good. Thanks for any advice and cure.

rworegon

Random thoughts: dirty air cleaner, dirty throttle body or MAF, slight vacuum leak.......

Are you sure the cams were installed correctly?

808toys

well as far as the cams,i just lined up the dot to dot and set it in and torque it down. I will check throttle body,i did clean the MAF and no vacuum leak. I hope its not the cam.Would it start if the cams were lined up incorrect? I did the cams myself for the first time so not sure. Thanks rworegon
will keep you informed

rworegon

On a side note, my sister lives and works as a teacher in Kamuela Waimea.

Do you have the FSM? In the FSM, there is a bit about lining up the double dots on the right hand passenger cam, install the bearing caps, remove the services bolt, and the rotate the cam until the single dots align. Sound familiar? On the left hand driver side, it's simply align the single dots. However, since the cams are at TDC you should be good.

I'd think it would act real strange if the cams are not aligned properly (even a tooth off), but I've never installed them wrong so I don't know.

All ground wires connected? Spark plug wires routed correctly? With the poor performance I'm surprised the CEL is not lit.

Maybe a compression check is in order.

808toys

rworegon,
This is a small world isn't it. I live in Kawaihae right down the road.
Sorry what is the FSM? and where can i get it.I been reading about it here but couldn't figure out what it stood for lol.
Anyway i only changed the passenger side head,that being said i lined up the single dots.Was it suppose to be the double dots on that side.Next is compression check. Thanks

rworegon

FSM = Factory Service Manual..... They are getting hard to find on the web. Try here

From the FSM, areas in bold, in particular:

3. INSTALL CAMSHAFTS
NOTICE: Since the thrust clearance of the camshaft is small. the camshaft must be kept level while it is being installed. If the camshaft is not kept level. the portion of the cylinder head receiving the shaft thrust may crack or be damaged. causing the camshaft to seize or break. To avoid this. these steps should be carried out.

A. Install intake camshaft of RH cylinder head
(a) Apply new engine oil to the thrust portion and journal of the camshaft.
(b) Place the intake camshaft at 90 degree angle of timing mark (2 dot marks) on the cylinder head.
(c) Apply MP grease to a new oil seal lip.
(d) Install the oil seal to the camshaft.ing
(e) Remove any old packing (FIPG) material.
(f) Apply seal packing to the No.1 bearing cap as shown. Seal packing: Part No. 08826-00080 or equivalent
(g) Install the 5 bearing caps in their proper locations.
(h) Apply a light coat of engine oil on the threads and under the heads of the bearing cap bolts.
(i) Install and uniformly tighten the 10 bearing cap bolts, in several passes, in the sequence shown. Torque: 16 N·m (160 kgf'cm, 12 ft·lbf) •

B. Install exhaust camshaft of RH cylinder head
(a) Apply new engine oil to the thrust portion and journal of the camshaft.
(b) Align the timing marks (2 dot marks) of the camshaft drive and driven gears.
(c) Place the exhaust camshaft on the cylinder head.
(d) Install the 4 bearing caps in their proper locations.
(e) Apply a light coat of engine oil on the threads and under the heads of the bearing cap bolts.
(f) Install and uniformly tighten the 8 bearing cap bolts, in several passes, in the sequence shown. Torque: 16 N·m (160 kgf·cm. 12 ft.lbf)
(g) Remove the service bolt.
(h) Align the timing marks (1 dot mark) of the camshaft drive and driven gears by turning the camshaft with a wrench.

808toys

Thank You rworegon, really appreciate it.

808toys

The FSM link worked,Thanks

rworegon

Welcome! The FSM and the EPC (Electronic Parts Catalog) are useful tools. The EPC is in my sig link as P/N & diagrams.


Good luck getting it all sorted out.

808toys

Will need it. I'm in Japan right now for a couple of weeks. hope to get it done with when i get home.