Hello, I'm new to Toyotas, I just got a non-running 94 4x4 w the 3VZE engine from my brother in law. I was wondering if there are any common fuel issues or known weak spots in the fuel injection system on this engine.

Before I got this truck my brother is law was driving it daily and having problems with cold starts, poor fuel economy and rough running/low on power symptoms. Apparently the warm starts were not an issue. To me this sounded more like a fuel issue such as stuck/leaky injector, bad regulator or clogged filter. He tore into the truck originally suspecting an engine issue which left it in its current state. So now the truck has the upper intake manifold off along with the radiator fan, belts and timing belt covers. I was planning on trying to put it back together to see if i can get it to start. Before I do I was thinking about replacing a few things like fuel filter maybe even the injectors or regulator. Does this sound like a common issue? Could it be another system like the EGR or perhaps some other sensor has gone bad like the mass airflow sensor? Open to anything at this point.

 

So it's a non-running deal because it's taken apart, or it was non-running before he stripped the stuff down?

I'm no expert, but I would just treat it like a new vehicle without any known history on it. Plugs, Wires, Cap, Rotor, Fuel filter, Oil/Filter Change.. fire it up and check timing, check for stored codes, pressure check the various systems/engine compression and go from there.

From what I've been told - fuel injectors are one of the most reliable, long lasting parts in vehicles, odds are if its a problem with an injector its just dirty or a harness is going..

If the Plenum is still off I suppose it wouldn't heart to check them out while they are accessible though. You can always ship them off for a rebuild/cleaning or get a set of the flame-throwers for pretty cheap, they seem to have really good reviews.. Mass airflow sensor is pretty easy to clean just be really careful with it.. Can of cleaner that is plastic safe is like 12 bucks or so..

 

I ran before my brother in law tore it down to its current state. I read the sticky on replacing the knock sensor mainly to get an idea of how it was torn down. When looking at the fuel rail and injectors last night i found a couple things.

1. RVT in the connectors and one was replaced. I know my brother in law didn't do this so I have to assume it had this issue with the previous owner to him

2. Fuel rail had over-sized nuts used as bushings to get the proper height for the injector to rail clearance. Kinda janky if you ask me. Hopefully I can find correct replacements.

3. Knock Sensor was missing the connector on the harness side and was electrical taped to the sensor side connector.

 

Yeah I'd be heading to a junkyard and just swap out the pair of rails bolts etc. The knock sensor harness isn't expensive, I just replaced one on mine that was bare wires. If money isn't an issue those flame throwers injectors are about 175 a set.. Saw some on eBay recently.. Sounds like you're on the way to getting that thing back to where it needs to be!

 

I also forgot to mention the oil pan and pickup tube are off. Do oil pumps on these engines need to be primed? I want to put this back on ASAP but not it if it means I'll have to take it back off to primer the pump before startup.

 

It wouldn't hurt to prime it. As far as I've found it's really hard to prime the oil pump once its already on, the idea is to fill it with oil before you bolt it on..

 

Apologies, posted in the wrong thread.