Hey folks, quick question after a great weekend of offroading. After hitting a pretty deep bog (successfully), my 1998 4 runner was running rough for about 5 minutes. It was similar to a situation where old spark plug wires allow the spark to jump causing the engine to run poorly. The Check Engine light was blinking.

About 5 minutes later the truck ran normal and I haven't had any problems since.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what might cause this, there is no distributor cap on these trucks (my first thought). I don't want to get stuck on a trail.

Also, just serviced the trans. When checking hot, it looks like it is between 1/3 and 1/2 inch over full. Should I get this extra fluid out right away, or not such a big deal?

Thanks.

Best,
NJ4Runner enthusiast guy

 

Quick Note: plugs and wires were done recently.

 

Did you use factory Toyota wires? If not, then chances are the rough running was a little water grounding out the spark to the drivers side cylinders. Non Toyota wires don't seal as well as stock toyotas, and will wear out faster.

As for the tranny fluid issue, you'll be fine.

 

-My 1985 22RE was doing this last year and it was a spark-plug wire that wasn't sealing right. (PO had somehow left the rubber from a spark plug wrench on the #1 cylinder spark plug, and plugged the wires on top of it)

-If it doesn't have a distributor, I'm betting it has coil-packs. I know that those getting wet can cause an engine to run rough too.