First time poster long time lurker. These forums have been a great asset for all things 4Runner. Sorry for the detailed account but I needed to get this all down.

I have a 2001 4Runner SR5 sport with 116,000 miles which I bought last year. Went to the local CO dealer 3 weeks ago and had them replace the timing belt along with the water pump and thermostat to prepare for a road trip from CO to IL. The next day I am on the road in NE and the check engine light comes on and the Car runs out of gas while showing there is a 1/4 tank left. The mileage showed 250 miles and I was preparing to gas up at the next exit. I usually get around 285-300 miles until the light comes on. Put some gas in the tank and the check engine light goes off. I talk to a local mechanic who says it sounds like I ran out of gas and the tank sending unit might be bad. Very similar to this thread

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...ighlight=po420
Coincidence?

I drive 1000 more miles without issue. Then the check engine light comes on again. I take it to the local IL toyota dealer and they inform me that I will need 2 new Catalytic converters. I call the CO dealer and the shop manager tells me that they will take care of any problems associated with the work they did. The price tag comes to $2300, and it has nothing to do with the CO dealer's work. The IL shop manager tells me they tested the 02 sensors with an RPM check and they worked while the cats were not doing anything? I may be confused on the testing methods because I was still reeling from the price tag. He informs me that the price is high and I may be able to get it cheaper somewhere else. The lone high note is the car is fine to drive back to CO, but I need to get the work done before the emissions are tested.

Get back to CO without problems and Meineke (national repair company) say they will replace the 2 cats with one jumbo cat from magnaflow for $355 including O2 sensors as part of the package (kit).

QUESTIONS: (Thanks in advance to any replies)

1. Is there any relationship between the work on the belts, water pump, and thermostat with the cat or tank sending unit failure?

2. Will Meineke have to make major modifications to my current cat set-up to place the magnaflow on? (I was told by a private toyota mechanic (non-dealer) that modifications would have to be made and the after market cats were not as reliable. Yes, he wants to sell me the Toyota cat as well!)

3. Is there any loss in performance or ability to pass emissions with the magnaflow cat?

Thanks

 

[QUOTE/]QUESTIONS: (Thanks in advance to any replies)

1. Is there any relationship between the work on the belts, water pump, and thermostat with the cat or tank sending unit failure?

2. Will Meineke have to make major modifications to my current cat set-up to place the magnaflow on? (I was told by a private toyota mechanic (non-dealer) that modifications would have to be made and the after market cats were not as reliable. Yes, he wants to sell me the Toyota cat as well!)

3. Is there any loss in performance or ability to pass emissions with the magnaflow cat?

Thanks[/QUOTE]


1. There is no relationship with the belts, water pump and t-stat.
2. I'm not to sure on that one.
3. No not really, I would go with a free flow cat, you can get a bit more power with it.

Hope this is a help...

 

Thanks....I am still looking into options