Hey guys, I just got an '88 4Runner with the EFI V6 3VZ-E a couple days ago for pretty cheap because it had some problems. This is my first 4x4, I've been working on old Hondas and Nissans, but I'm real glad to be here, I'm just not familiar yet. So, first off the truck won't rev past 2000 RPMs (might be TPS or AFM?), it's extremely underpowered (I pulled 4 out of 6 plugs while it was running and only 2 plugs made it die down when pulled out.), and then finally(ish) I looked at the bottom of my radiator and it has two metal elbows that look like should have lines attached to them. Anyone know where they're supposed to go? Please any input on any of the problems would be greatly appreciated and I'm sorry if I posted anything incorrectly.



Here's from under the radiator. I'm referring to the two elbows lines that are facing each other connected to the radiator.

 

Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler.

 

So it's of no use to me? I forgot to say I had a 5 speed manual. Also, I went out just now to see if the TPS works mechanically and it does, so I put it back on and left it unplugged to see if it made any difference and it doesn't. I also unplugged the AFM and it died out, so that's working. Narrowing it down to the TPS?

 

I think you were heading down the right track with the ignition. TPS wouldn't make it run that bad.

 

Just bad spark plugs would make it stop revving over 2000?

 

There's more to the ignition than spark plugs. And yes, if you're missing on enough cylinders.

 

I know, I mean cylinders not firing as a whole with the knowledge that the plug wires are new and when I was testing them, I was pulling them from the distributor and even the ones that weren't firing had arching between the plug and the distributor, so I know the distributor is fine and I'm assuming new wires are fine too. I also assumed it was the plugs and not the injectors because it's running very rich.

 

I just pulled all the plugs and 4/6 of them are black and the other two are the "nice" tan color that relate to just work out plugs. Hopefully that's my only problem. Will update when I get new plugs put in.

 

Well I got the new plugs in and after a good 10-15 minutes of letting it warm up and get to the correct idle speed, it's running perfectly now. I'm just hoping the last owner didn't replace the plugs for a long time and they went really bad and it's not a bigger problem in the engine that causes them to foul quickly. I guess we'll find out if the problem returns soon.