Ok update. Apparently my multi-meter is junk. Went to autozone and tested the coil there, checked out fine.

I did find a wire missing on the distributor. The main wire that connects to the distributor from the wire harness. I glanced at it and the black wire is completely separated. And it is broke off right at the connector so there is no saving it. Off to the junk yard. Do you guys think one wire missing on the distributor could affect the gas mileage?

 

Sounds stupid but did you change the fuel filter? Remember it's usally the the simplest things that get over looked that turn out to be the issue.

 

Yep. Changed the fuel filter right after I got it back from the rebuild.

 

Well, that's definitely an issue....

 

OK so I went to the junkyard and I found the connector after an hour of searching. They had 2 4runners in the whole place and they were picked clean although I did find the rear window relay I needed. Found the connector on a late model Camry of all things. Temp wired it in and started. It idles really nice, although it idled really well before. We will see if this fixes the issue.

 

That wire connector goes straight to the ECU. So one broken wire could have been affecting how the computer schedules fuel in a fairly significant way. We will see.

 

OK I passed smog! So now I can chill out and really dig into this. I think it is still guzzling gas although I wont know for another day or so to see how fast the gas tank is dropping. One other thing is I have a code 63 which is a control solenoid in the transmission. I have replacements and plan to install them this weekend. The problem is intermitent because it shift normally now, but every once in awhile it gets stuck in a gear and I get the fault. I dont think this could really affect my gas mileage. Just some food for thought.

 

Still appears to be using a lot of fuel. I have the tranny pan off right now replacing solenoids. Tomorrow I plan to check the egr. Also contemplating pulling plenum and checking the bank of sensors by the fire wall. The ECT sensor and such. Ill let you know how it goes. I have a hunch that the real culprit is my timing belt.

 

OK here is an update. I got my transmission fixed. Brand new shift solenoids installed. I borrowed a ECU from a friend at work that has a 4runner also. In the short time I have driven it the gas mileage does not appear to be improving. Things I checked yesterday. I did the checks on all of the VSV's on the passenger fender well. They all check out good. I also did the resistance checks on the distributor cap pins and they are all in spec. When I take it to the shop to have them check the timing belt I want to be able to say here is what I have checked. I don't know what else it could honestly be. There are NO check engine lights. No codes stored. Everything checks out.

 

What if the idle up valve was faulty. Would this affect gas mileage

 

Ok another update. I think I found my problem. I pulled the timing belt cover back because I was suspecting something with the timing. None of the marks line up properly. With the left hand cam pully lined up with both marks at 12 o'clock, the right hand pully is about 1/2" past its mark and the crank pulley is indicating probably about 8 degrees ATDC. So its going back to the shop to have the timing belt redone. I dont think these guys have gotten anything right..

I am surprised that it sounded and ran so good with the timing so jacked up

 

the markings on the belt are for installing it only after about two revolutions those white lines on the belt begin to move around, as long as the pulleys ( cams and crank) mach the timing marks at TDC then your good,if it were to far off you probably wouldn't have passed smog. ......... after re reading your post ( im a little tired plez forgive me) it sounds like its probably off a bit.

 

Yeah this belt does not have any lines on it, I am actually referring to the marks on the pulleys themselves.

 

Well I think I have did everything I can.

The other night when I was adjusting the timing belt I forgot the ratchet and socket I had on the crank pulley, I know Im a dumb-ass. When I turned it over the ratchet spun and lodged itself, spinning the crankshaft pulley nut off. I tightened it up best I could with plan to torque at work, but the pulley walked itself out and spun on the shaft. So I had to take it all apart and reseat/re-torque the crank pulley down. Its all back together and runs awesome.

So valve timing is nuts on. All the sensors check out. I retarded the timing a bit to about 15 BTDC, threw on my experimental VAFM set to 5 clicks lean. Have to see what my mileage does. I don't know of anything else to check.

 

Its all good bubba, we make these mistakes allllllllll the time.
I remember when i put my timing kit in my 87 yota, i put the Camshaft gear on backwards, it was a difference of a 16th of an inch, and it ran like crap till i turned that camshaft gear around. I felt like an idiot haha.
But, did adjusting the timing belt fix your problem? Or have you done that yet?
Im asking cause i saw you said that you were taking it back to the shop, and i didn't know if you'd gotten it back yet.

 

Brad11140 - Any follow up on this?