I recently bought a 92 4runner v6 3.o manual trans. The check engine light is on and when we checked the codes it pointed to a fuel issue, but no more info than that. It coughs and sputters once I get down to 1/4 of a tank, acts like its not getting gas and quickly looses speed, but if we shut the engine off for a few sceonds it stops coughing for a few minutes and sometimes altogether. We've done a tune up, and changed the fuel filter, but before I go spending money on a fuel pump I wanted to get some feedback.

 

Please tell me you're joking.

I count 11 different codes that (arguably) have something to do with fuel, but each of them gives a lot of specific information about what triggered the code. (And while we're at it, none of those 11 have anything to do with a fuel pump.)

Your symptoms hint at dirt in the tank (which is stirred up when you get to a low tank), but if you have an "unread" diagnostic code, you're staring at this bull from the wrong end. Get the code, read what causes it, and read where to look to fix it.

 

Your rig is 20 years old. The pump and prefilter should be replaced regardless. Look at buying aftermarket Denso instead of OEM, same product different box, with $ savings. Also, look at replacing hard lines if corroded, replace soft (right now deteriorated and rock hard) fuel lines, and even your tank if it's nearly rusted through. Parts on that should run you less than $400 if replacing all them. Pump and new filter is about $150.

If biting the bullet to lower your tank and replace, might as well get all potential failures out of the way.

Agree with scope that your symptoms appear to be a fuel pump issue. But it wouldn't hurt run a good injector cleaner through too -- Redline, BG, Amsoil, or send your injectors out for cleaning (replacement is a slightly more expensive option too).