KODE

i have a 1990 4runner with a 22re. i just rebuilt the whole top end about 8 months ago. i replaced head gasket, new valves, new timing cover, LC oil pump, timing chain, cap, wires, rotor, plugs, etc.

the engine runs smooth and the timing is on. i also have 529 gearing and 33x13.5 tires. when i start going in 1st gear, its fine, but as soon as i hit 2nd gear at about 3500 rpm, it starts to feel like its lagging or bogging down slightly like theres no power. it feels like my whole top range after 2nd gear is weak!! i have a stock exhaust and i just changed the catalytic convertor today, and still no power! injectors seem to be working fine, no sputtering, or stalling, etc........ im stumped!

im going to do a compression test tomorrow. is there any way to check if my bottom end is bad? the block sounds like it has a very slight tapping noise, but nothing real noticeable like a rod knock. im also running amsoil and the oil has been very clean for a few months. no oil leaks. no CEL light. i have a laser cut block and head on the side ready to be rebuilt, but i dont want to swap in a new engine and still have the same problem.

i would think that with 529's and 33's, this 4runner would boogie! has anyone else had these symptoms? any other suggestions?? ill post up the results after i do a compression test.

bwiygul

man, i'm in the similar boat...except i have a completely new engine and head and rv cam from engine builder. i just don't have ANY power in fourth and fifth. it's like i hit a wall at 60-65 with stock gears and 245's!! if i find out anything i'll let you know. and i'll be watching the thread. i think i know what everybody's gonna say though...vacuum lines and all that. i'm kind of torn between afm and the computer. i think i'm goin to the mech before i start just buyin parts and slappin em on. just don't know if i'll just break even or not. sorry i'm not much more help but i'll let you know what i find.

fierohink

Since the rebuild, have you always been down on power? Or did you have power and it is trailing off? Did you have power before the rebuild? Why did you rebuild the motor? Was the original one toast or were you just looking for some performance upgrades?

Have you checked your fuel filter, fuel pump, and/or fuel pressure? You can use the online FSM to find the specs of various components like fuel pump pressure, sensor voltages and whatnot and then eliminate working systems.

KODE

i rebuilt the top end because one of the oil journals for the cam was plugged, resulting in a cracked camshaft due to the friction with no lubrication.

i had power before the rebuild. i redid the timing today by jumping the diagnostic terminals and re timing and it did help a little with the response. other than that, it still has some lag in 2nd gear and up. i also tested the tps, afm, and compression tested it. the compression test showed all 4 cylinders at 145-148. it basically feels like i have no gearing.

Raybicon

i had the same thing happen 2 me with my 85' 22re 4 runner and it was the ECU. if thats wat it is i have 1 for sale

KODE

my friend hooked up his diagnostics scanner to it and it didnt throw a code. the CEL doesnt come on either. i dont know if the CEL doesnt have a bulb, or if its the ECU thats bad....

is there any way to find out if the ECU is bad?

olharleyman

check your 02 or cat? timing? check all cause they will all kill your power and fuel mileage

my friend hooked up his diagnostics scanner to it and it didnt throw a code

I don't think you can get a reading on your truck the obd1 will not hook up to a reader they are obd 2 only and that's 96 on 22re is not a obd2 motor

My 22re with 5.29's and 35's runs 85-90 so you really need to look into the 02/cat , timing and fuel filter/pump pressure

rangerruck

it still sounds like a vacuum prob; put it in first, get it up to 35 or 4000 rpms, and keep it there, and see if it starts lagging and jerking and sputtering...

KODE

i just changed my cat, and replaced my o2 sensor. theres no jerking or sputtering at all. timing is set at 5 btdc. fuel filter was replaced about 3 months ago, fuel pressure is fine. is there a way to test the ECU?

fierohink

Not getting a CEL when you first turn the key on is a problem. Check the bulb and go from there.

olharleyman

afm/door working correctly?

KODE

yes it is. thats the first thing i checked because i had sticky door on my previous 22re. ill check the CEL bulb and go from there.

KODE

ok. i just changed the bulb in the dash, and it works when i turn on the key. i drove it around the block and the CEL light doesnt come on, so im guessing its not throwing any codes.

Ajm1991

If it sputters and what not while at constant RPM's what could that be a sign of? Not thread-jacking, just seeing if the answer to that could also somehow be an answer to his problem. Ya just never know

snobdds

You might have a plugged up EGR valve. I would also check the condition of the throttle body. See if there is any build up in there. If the build up is liquified and black then your getting blow back through your intake and your valves might need to be adjusted.

rangerruck

If it sputters and lags a bit at high rpms, that is a good sign of small vaccuum leaks. But you know what? I also like the egr valve idea...

jsn_stockard

I had a knock sensor go bad once and it did the same thing. It never threw a code

KODE

i eliminated my EGR and have blockoff plates installed. the throttle body seems to be clean. the engine has no sputtering. ill look into the knock sensor.... i never thought about even checking that. so if the knock sensor is bad, it could be retarding my engine correct?

jsn_stockard

Exactly, computer retards timing to prevent engine damage

89whitetoyota

Knock sensor thats interesting, how you actually test this sensor. I know where its at, but how would you check it to see if it is faulty? Does the FSM have the specs, and do you use a multimeter?