saleen9973

Hey guys i am new to the toyota world. I bought a 94 4 runner with the 3.0 and and auto tranny with 151,000 miles it does not smoke only idle is a little rough when in park it revs smooth. My problem is i changed the plugs and the old ones were completely black from burning to rich (i believe) there is no fuel smell from the exhaust. My other problem is the thing is the slowest vehicle i have ever drove!!!!!!!!!! Is it normal to have to push the gas pedal almost through the floor to get it to down shift and go faster. I mean i was going 30 the other day and started to go up a small hill and had it almost to the floor and it was not going any faster. I just did a complete tune up except for fuel filter because if i try to get it loose i will wreck the lines. So i will keep putting pb blaster on it until spring and try it then, it's very cold here in N.Y right now. What would cause the over rich condition? Would this over rich condition cause the motor to be very slugish? I am going to run a can of mopar combustion chamber cleaner through it tomorrow and try to clean the throttle body. I just have never drove a vehicle so slow is this normal? I mean my 2000 civic 1.5l auto has more get up i am very disapointed in this motor. Help.

ChickenLover

The fact that you've said you have to put the pedal almost to the floor to get 'er to downshift, leads me to believe that your throttle cable needs to be adjusted. I bet the butterfly valve in your throttle-body isn't opening all the way when you floor the pedal.

Pull off the intake hose, have someone put the pedal to the floor and see if that valve is opening all the way. When I first got my runner, my cable was very loose. Adjusting it properly made a HUGE difference in power.

saleen9973

I will definitely give that a try tomorrow.

Elton

lol it anit called a 3.slow for noting and with a auto makes it worse

Kyle95sr5

I hate my 3.slow. Wise up, sell it, and buy something with a 22re/22r or the 3.4 Screw the 3.slow!!

saleen9973

I wish but i just got this one and only paid 2600.00 for it so i will give it a try and if it still sucks in the spring i will put the for sale sing in her.

saleen9973

Does anyone know what might cause the rich condition?

keithguts

I have a 3.0 auto, and I don't find it to be as slow as everyone makes it. Granted, going up a very long incline, it does go from 70 mph to around 65 mph. Other then thatn I have no problems with power. If I want a race car, I go out and buy on.

Bumpin' Yota

if you want something fast go buy a GSXR 600 or some such bike. If you want a rock solid dependable truck, take care of that 3.0 and dont be afraid to REV it up!!

saleen9973

I'm not looking for a fast car i have a 85 drag only mustang that i bracket race that runs 12.80 @ 112 all day long on motor. What i want is a truck that feels like it can move out of it's own way. I think I may have a problem somewhere and i am looking for some advice. I have no doubt that the 3.0 is not a good engine I just think something is wrong and i am trying to find out what it is, I know toyota did not intend my 4 runner to be this slow, when i mean it can't move of it's own way it can't. So please just try to help me. Thanks. Also its hard to rev up a auto.

Bumpin' Yota

Put your ECT to "on" and it will rev to redline every time... If you arent above 3000rpm the 3vze is going to seem like a complete dog. Its only after 3000 that it wakes up.

Keep in mind my 3vze did 0-60 in about 13 seconds or so, and motor trend said the 3vze equipped 4runner should run the 1/4 in the 18s territory.

However with larger valves, PNP and headers the 3vze will pick up 30rwhp over stock which is almost a 30% gain! Add weasy2k's cams and you should be in the 190hp territory over the stock 150hp.

As far as your truck, it sounds like something is amiss. Is the timing at 10*BTDC with the terminals jumped? If you dont mind running higher octane you can turn the timing up to about 12-14* pending the health and carbon deposition in the cylinders. What does it idle at RPM wise with the terminals jumped? OEM setting should be 800rpm. Might also what to trouble shoot the TPS, VAFM, and O2 sensor just to cover the bases.

94Runner4x4

i just recently totaled my 3.0 and found that it was never sluggish. i thought it was a very suitable truck and i came from a 3.8L before that car and i'm looking to get a new 3.0 soon....but as for gettin it to feel more powerful, get more air into it.....i put a K and N in mine and i noticed a difference right away

slosurfer

The only problem with this is that even with a big aftermarket tranny cooler, your tranny temp will be skyrocketing way faster than your mph.

saleen9973

I will check idle tomorrow and clean throttle body and use mopar combustion cleaner also(same as seafoam just in spray form). I will also check timing and bump to 12* if it has not been done. I do have a aftermarket tranny cooler that i was gonna put in my mustang but i may put it in my runner. I will try the ect button, and keep an eye on the tranny temps.

saleen9973

So after bumping timing to 12*, cleaning the throttle body, and doing the combustion chamber cleaner (like seafoam) the truck is running much better. The one thing that i did is i am leaving it in the ect mode all the time. I know everyone says thats bad but my temp light has not come on all day, I drove about 80 miles today. The truck seems to have alot more power with the ect button in all the time. I set my idle to 800 rpm.

slosurfer

Sounds good, did you have to adjust your throttle cable? I think I have to adjust mine. You probably won't get a temp light on your tranny, from what I have read that thing doesn't pop up till it is almost too late. I am just saying from experience with a full sweep tranny temp gauge, it is scary how fast that temp can rise.

saleen9973

Yes I had to re-adjust the cable. I did not know about the temp climbing that quick. What a waste of a light if it comes on when its too late what is the purpose? I do have a b+m tranny cooler in my basement that is brand new, I was gonna use it on my mustang but i may put it on my runner.

slosurfer

A cooler is never a bad idea for a transmission, I still will use the ect from time to time, but now ever since I put a temp gauge in, I use it more sparingly. The cooler will help it cool right back down.

How much did you have to adjust your cable?

Schralper

So did you check replace your O2 sensor? Especially with what you've already done. That'll help.
Remember to disconnect the battery for at least 1/2 hr when doing.
It'll reset the bubble memory in computer.

saleen9973

No i haven't replaced the o2 yet, but i did notice a few days ago the cel popped up .I will go to autozone and have it checked. About the cable i had to turn the nuts about 5 full times.