Hello all,
I have always wanted a 4 Runner and finally got a 1993 4X4 4Runner with 237881 miles on it's 3.0 engine. For the most part, it runs okay. I replaced the timing belt, vane pump and pulley wheel, radiator, spark plugs and the starter. When I went to check the timing with the timing light, I noticed that the hashmark on crank pulley has a fluctuation between 10 to 12 degrees. My friend has a 1996 4X4 4Runner with the same engine. I checked his timing and the hashmark hits it mark everytime. So, what would cause my timing to bounce around?

Thanks for the help. I've learned a lot since joining this forum and grateful that others impart their knowledge and expertise to the rest of us.

 

Well, how steady is the idle when it's bouncing around? It has to be dead on 800 rpm when your looking at the mark. Any higher rpm and the mark will be more advanced.

Got a good tach handy?

 

Hey Mudhippy,
Thanks for the reply to my situation. I went out to start the toy to warm it up and check my idle and timing. And the toy would not start. I've been having an issue with it not starting, but thought I had fixed it with replacing the starter and testing the starter relay which tested as good. No, I don't have a good tach. Need to get myself one.

Now to trouble shoot why it won't start at times. The battery is a brand new Interstate megatron. All the dash lights come on when the key is turned to start. Just hear a click from passenger side dash area. Did check engine compartment grounds and they all looked okay. I hope to get this problem fixed before winter gets here. Brrrrrrrrrrrrr! Going to need the toy if it snows. Any suggestions? Advice? All are welcomed. Thanks!

 

I know this is going to sound silly but are the terminals clean? I've helped out a lot of people with brand new batteries, alternators, regulators, etc. Only to find they had dirty terminals.

If you haven't already, clean the terminal (inside) until it is shiny! Often you can get enough contact with a dirty terminal to light up a dash or turn on a radio, but not good enough contact to conduct enough current to turn the starter.

 

On your original topic, if the timing is bouncing around the first thing i would look for is a vaccum leak. With that many miles on the engine, check for old cracked, burned, pinched or otherwise damaged vaccum hoses.

I just found a burned hose on my near the reed valve and i've owned my truck for about 8 months! Cured a idle problem i had. Didn't cure my low speed stumble...

 

A 96 with a 3.slow? The 96 should be a 3.4 if he has the V6.

 

My friends 4Runner is a 1995. Sorry. I'm so frustrated with my 4Runner at the moment. Still won't start. Battery connections are fine. Going to have to check the wires. Now I know why the last owner sold it...

 

The battery connections are clean. I'm going to check my wiring, fusible links, etc. I do need to go over my vacuum system once I figure out why the toy won't start and get it running again. I'm open to suggestions, comments, etc.
Thanks for the help everyone.

 

remove & clean all grounds, including engine to frame, frame to body, etc. Check your EFI fuse.

 

Thanks TNRabbit for your help. I'm going to try and get to it this week. Thanks all!