zesnowbr

Hi y'all!!!

I just bought a 1990 4runner v6, auto 4x4 with 232000 miles on it.

I wonder what kind of maintenance would be recommended.
i don't know much about the history of it but is seems to run fine (but i'vee never driven another 4runner before)

But i feel it has no power, i can't get past 80mph on flat for no reasonn and the gas pedal is not very responsive.
And ther is something weird, when i'm driving to work (first thing in the morning ) it shifts fine but on my way back it takes a while for the overdrive to kick in.
And the MPG seen pretty crappy so far (50 miles on my first full tank and it is down to 3/4)

what should i replace/adjust to get this baby back in good shape.

Thank's

drguitarum2005

First of all, welcome to YotaTech! youll find many great people here and a LOT of advice and helpful information. Also, congrats on getting your first 4runner. You'll love it. Your wallet will also mysteriously be lighter after you start hanging around here and your truck will mysteriously be getting better.

Now on to your problems...someone else can answer what maintenance should be done given that you don't know whats been done in the past. I'd recommend at LEAST changing oil, air filter, diff tranny and t-case fluids to synthetic.

The 1990 3.0 (aka 3.slow) is not a powerful engine and has bad mileage. However, 50 miles after 3/4 of a tank is terrible. Something may be wrong. Here is a thread just started about the 3.slow and its lack of power
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116/1990-3-0-lacks-power-90673/

also, please use the search button as many questions have been addressed already.

david

zesnowbr

Thank's

Sorry but i did not express myself well regarding the mpg

i got 50 miles and now is down to 3/4 (50miles=1/4 tank, is it ok?)


Have a good one

by the way my wallet is already felling it (got an oil change, air filter, alignement, balance, front brake discs and pads) $300 and i've had it for a week hhehehehheh

but i'm loving it

Latter

drguitarum2005

oh 50 miles is about right. thats what i considered normal on my 2000 4runner. it all depends on your driving style and city v. highway

Bumpin' Yota

ok the 3vz-e (your and my engine, i have a 90 as well) is often called the 3.slow. In all honesty its not a bad engine at all, its just severely weighed down by our 4500+lb suv's!

However you should be able to get WELL over 80mph. Mine will hit 95 to 96 on an average day on flat ground. It has great torque off of the line too.

I would suggest a FULL tune up.

Cap, rotor, wires, sparkplugs (OEM ONLY!!!!!) oil, oil filter, timing belt, thermostat, idlers, water pump, O2 sensor and check cam/bucket clearance and check for codes. You might also want to have a looksie at the catalytic converter. Oh yeah swap fuel filter too.

Also make sure none of your brakes are siezed and rubbing, I had that issue for a while.


The 3vz-e was also plagued with HG issues but only from about 91.5-95. The origional cause of this was the morons at the EPA mandated that headgaskets stop using asbestos. Then as the recall got underway, mechanics, both shade tree and professional, reused headbolts which is a BIG BIG NO NO with this engine. The headbolts are TTY (torque to yeild) so they strecth slightly...

My HG let go after 275,000 miles....but ive been driving it like i stole it too for over 210,000 miles! Here is my thread to what Im doing to it:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116/pics-my-hg-replacement-sloooow-going-88538/

On average in around town driving and flooring it at every light I would get about that mileage too which was usually 14mpg or so. Driving like a grandma would get me about 16mpg around town. But on highway driving is a bit different, 19-23 was not uncommon with mine.

ironroad9c1

dude sell it and get a 22re first gen. you couldn't give me a 3.0 automatic ,my first wife has a 90 3.0 witht he 5 speed and it was a dog . no thanks.

silversup

definitely slow as hell. But a beast in the snow. I could not call having it be my main transportation.

Gas - bad
Speed - bad

But still love my runner. Give the gal a tuneup and make sure you exhaust is functioning properly.

Sonofmayhem

I put 600 into my truck the day i bought it.lol, then i put in about 800 more the next month and now since im still young and ignant i went through a puddle, actually made it, but sucked in water, Seal up your exhaust make sure there is no leaks, and you will notice an increase i used copper RTV on my exhaust gaskets and noticed a huge increase, also making your air box more free flow, better filter custom cuts or a snorkel will bring up some throttle response, but dont be like me and go through puddles w/ a modded airbox unless there is a snorkel somewhere.

drguitarum2005

come on, dont make him feel bad about buying such a great vehicle. each generation has their own different shortcomings. the 3.slow will get him where he needs to go.

zesnowbr

Thank's!!!

i was feelling bummed already! (nah just kidding i'm loving it)

By the way i just read something about a recall on 1990 4runners?
What is that all about?


Thank's you all

have a good one

Bob_98SR5

Zes,

welcome to yotatech!

few things to keep in mind:

- use the search feature. search your last question and see what comes up
- keep your thread titles specific. please include at least one key word. ambiguous titles will be deleted w/o notice
- look in the tech forum for writeups. its a good source of info, even for mods that dont pertain to your vehicle

enjoy the forum

bob

ironroad9c1

the 3.0's had a recall ,but it was only for 10 years and under 100,000 miles for headgasket replacements ,i did my fiar share when i was at baughman toyota ther ein wilmington ,n.c. i have 3.0's..lol ,just hope you got a good deal to make it worth it.

Elton

i liked my 91 but i dont miss how slow it was

95RunnerSR5

i love my 95 3.slow regardless of anything!

CoedNaked

I suggest consider switching to synthetic oil (mobil 1 or amsoil) and look into switching your front differential, rear differnetial, transfer case, and transmission gear lubes to synthetic as well (many recommend redline or amsoil gear lubes for this). This will get your truck back to running like new and it will give you a horsepower or two or three, as well as help in the gas mileage department by severely reducing friction, running cooler, etc. And as mentioned,a full tune up including OEM cap, & rotor, spark plugs, new air filter, etc.

zesnowbr

Thank's everybody for the help.
mostly appreciated.

Have a good one

thook

Congrats! Maybe you could post a pic of your rig?
What I did when I first got my '92 3.0.....
Run two treatments of Auto-RX through the crank (I highly suggest getting the old gunk out if the previous owner didn't keep up with oil changes), run a bunch of injector cleaner through (Discovered one was dead from clogging....bad news!), modified the air intake (search: "ISR mod"...it can be done cheaply with nice results you will notice), tranny cooler, synthetics all around, and last (but not least) installed remote/bypass filters on the auto tranny and motor...the Frantz type. Those WILL keep your oil cleaner longer and give you greater oil cooling capacity....something the 3.0 could use. None of these were terribly expensive or done for performance, rather for vehicle longevity and mileage. But, the greater perfomance is welcome.
Oh! And I put a better stereo in. Gotta have it with top rolled back!