S1X

I have a 1996 Tacoma 2.7l 3rz 4x4 249xxx miles. Last month the truck's idle started to die while driving then temp slowly crept up. I got the truck home but when I restarted it there was a HUGE power loss. Feels like the engine is being restricted or something. It struggles right off the bat under any load. Took it on the freeway and struggled to go speed limit at 50mph in 3rd gear where prior I could cruise at 70mph in 5th.

This power loss has something to due with the overheating also. The truck starts right up and can idle for an hour but I can only drive around the block a few times before it starts to overheat and idle starts to drop to where the truck will die out if I let off the gas.

Truck was throwing some codes so I have replaced a bunch of parts already clearing all codes.

There is a brand new Toyota dist., wires, plugs, IACV, crank sensor, fuel filter, air filter. I also took off the cat and put on a straight pipe hoping that was the problem but it did absolutely nothing.

Timing was checked, no engine check lights, no milky oil or white smoke from the exhaust. Kinda running outta ideas here on what is the issue.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

ZUK

iTrader: (1)

Is the gas older than 1 year?

overheating......is the radiator still the original factory one?

S1X

Yes I believe the radiator is the stock one. Thermostat is gutted so the truck normally ran extra cool.

I've had trucks where I had to change out the radiator and thermostat due to overheating and plugging but generally it had no effect on the power or how the truck ran.

That is why I'm kinda thinking that what ever is causing this drastic power loss is also responsible for the overheating.

TheDurk

It's possible. Bad timing will definitely do this. Plugged cat, too, I think.

92longbedsinglecab

Wondering...does it start right back up after you shut it down? If so could most likely rule out vapor lock....leaves me to wonder if it's a headgasket, let it get hot then look into your coolant tank and check for bubbles