I'm going through a small crisses here. Just picked up a 88 4runner, 3VZE, automatic, When I purchased it wasn't run very well, found #5 cyld. doesn't fire, so I changed out the following items, fuel filter, plugs, wires, dist. cap, rotor, air filter, and had all the injectors cleaned and flow tested. It doen't use radiator fluid, and dosen't smoke, both oil and radiator fluid look good. I don't know what else to check, maybe check valve clearance, valve springs, MAF? I don't know? Any help would be appriciated. Thanks.

 

Have you checked compression?

 

Only thing I haven't checked is the compresion and valve clearance, How much of a job do I have in front of me?

 

first check the compression, You'll need a compression guage. remove all the spark plugs and connect the guage to cylinder #1 and while holding the throttle wide open crank until you get maximum pressure while counting the number of compression pulses it takes to get to max. these figures and repeat on all the other cylinders. If you do in fact find that a cylinder is low, then you will want to do a leak down test to figure out where the compression is leaking.

checking the valve clearances will reqire you to remove the intake plenum so that you can get to the valve covers. this is not really that hard.

 

Checked for compression, found that there is no compression in the #5 cylinder. I'm going to check the valves tonight. Thanks for the help!

 

i too just bought a 92 toyota pickup, and i knew something wasnt right with the engine, turns out my # 4 cylinder has no compression, i gotta check my valves too, lemme know what u find. thanks

 

What were your cylinder pressures?

 

#5 was zero, The rest were between 145 and 150.

 

same here # 4 zero and rest 160-170

 

Well, checked the valves, all were within spec. I had to pull the head and found a piece of the valve broke off. So I'm going to replase the valve next week.

 

when u replace the valve do u have to do anything else to it? like resurface heads etc?

 

I would think beings you have the head off, it wouldn't be a bad idea. Dunno about doin one and not the other though. v6's aren't my thing

 

Take head(s) to shop. The 3.0 is a valve eater. They will lightly surface the head to clean it up. Usually 0.005 inches is removed which affects nothing. Torque the head(s) in slow increments after the first 25 lbs of torque. Follow the pattern of working from the middle out.

My $0.02

 

I pulled both sides and sent them to the machine shop. They should be ready by Thursday. Any input for which brand of Gasket kit I should use. I also heard it is a good idea to replace the head bolts.

 

and some are you getting the seats re cut?? I would if I were you

 

Are you talking about the valve seats? If your are I'm.

Does any one have any input for wich gasket I should use?