Weezy,

The stealer just tried to rip me off for $2400 steering gear box as well. Where can I pick me up one of those used ones?

 

Wow from your story I am glad I do all the maintence myself to my vehicle including rebuilding the engine.
I know the feeling about someone training (OJT)
I had someone training on me one time when I was in sick call the guy put about 5 holes in my arm before he got it fed into a vein right to start a iv.
I would run this up the chain of command at toyota if they can't get it resolved. I really hate it when people get screwed over.

 

Weezy:

I know how you feel. Something similar happened to me last summer, I told the stealership what the problem was and they seemed to fix ten things other than the problem which I wanted fixed.

When I saw the price I was saying, :wtf: Then when I found out the problem was never fixed,

 

Umm guys (and gals), if you have problems like that with dealers, that's fraud...my teacher works for the State of California Automotive Bureau Compliance, and to fix an item that isn't necessary is big trouble. In fact, if a shop gets enough complaints, sometimes he sends in an undercover vehicle. A shop MUST document all repairs as to why it was necessary. Another thing I do is whenever I take my car to a shop, i always ask for the parts back, to make sure that the service was done. I'll tell you this, having the inside scoop, I have a much greater respect now for techs in the auto industry, but i have an even greater hatrid towards incompetent ones, especially if I find a problem that they can't figure out...happened many times, especially with Ford vehicles. Although it makes me feel really good to fix the stuff for the people and they thank me and offer monetary compensation (I literally have to beg people to not pay me), I still question those out there and where they got their education from. Toyota techs go through a rigorous T-ten training, so I'm shocked that some of you say Toyota can't fix your problem...eek,

 

Yea, I had an 89 with really really worn plugs. The electrode was nerely worn to the porcelen and the metal part war really thin in the middle. The truck had 223k on it and I think there was at least 100k on thoes plugs, mabe more.

 

I got mine at a place called H&W Salvage for $125ish. Came off of a 93.

 

technically they are not trying to rip you off. This is actually what the part costs *NEW* i work for the local yota stealership and MY cost on the box was 2400, i ended up getting a newly remanufactured one from a local machining shop for 400. Check around, normally the parts guys at the dealer know where to get cheaper parts, because they are connected to the local shops for special jobs. Just a thought.

 

I second that. The mechanic himself pulled me aside and told me he could get a reman for $400.00 There's definitely options!

 

So Weezy , What happened ? Did they fix it ? Your last post was in april reguarding your problem. Well ....... ?

 

Yea, what's the scoop? My 4runner had simmalar problmes that bafled me and the mechanics for over a year untill I finnaly found out my throtle body wasn't sealing when shut. Now it runs great since I replaced, cleand, and ajusted nearly everything in an attempt to fix the problem. There is always hope. Just post specific questions on this board. Most of us have been through it before.

 

Nah, I gave up on the stealership and fiddled around with a few things. There were 2 loose vacuum hoses, a bad pvc valve, and the egr was (and still isn't) working right. I got everything fixed except the egr valve because its moody and usually doesn't give me much trouble. Also ran some more injector cleaner through. I could use new injectors, or rebuild mine, but it's just not worth it.
Now what remains that I can find is the rear-main seal, front rotors (have been machined as far as they can go, need new ones any suggestions on where and how much .... pm me!), breather, and a rear defrost switch. After those lil things the truck is as fixed as I can get it. The motor is holding up well considering, but I know it won't last forever. A friend of mine has access to a dyno tested motor so that will be an option in the future, but right now I just wanna go play in the mud and enjoy the result of draining my wallet.
As for the stealership, I would go back to them if it were absolutely needed, but I have found a former Yota Tech who has 22 years experience with Toyotas. the guy knows his stuff and he's pretty honest so I guess you could say I favor him.

 

I'm glad you found someone you can trust.You guys gotta start requesting master tech's to work on your car/truck when you go to the dealers. It floors me seeing the people they let work on cars at my dealer.(ex-porters,detailers).On the job traing (jeeesuusss-c#$%t).
Cant help you on the rotors,sorry !

 

You spent $6200 on a 91??? OUCH. Wow. More power to ya... I would have sold it for $4-$5k, then added the $6200 to it and got a 97 or 98 3rd gen with a 3.4L and less problems. I understand your attachment to it though. I had a 87 Acura Legend Coupe with a 5 speed and I swore I would NEVER get rid of it. Well, I did at 227k miles when the tranny was starting to go south, and I regret it all the time. That was one sweet car. By the way, that was the ORIGINAL timing belt in the acura when I sold it. I'm suprised that the timing belt broke at 112k in the integra. The new owner must have been driving the hell out of it. Sounds like you may have goten rid of it just in time...

 

I don't know if this is just an Oregon thing but there is no way you could get a 3rg gen for less than $9,000 around here. 4runners sell for way over blue book and 2nd gens still go for nerely $10,000 if they are in really good shape with less than 100k miles. By Oregon pricing, $6+k still isn't bad. Heck, I have about $8,000 into my 91 and I still need to spend anouther $1500 to finish it.

 

I actually sold an 89 pickup with 225,000 miles, some dents, and some Oxidized paint for $4,900 last year!

 

Ya, it seems kinda pointless on a 91, but theres several reasons why I decided to keep it.
1. It was free
2. I have wanted a 4runner for over 10 years now and this was a great opportunity to get one.
3. The interior and body were clean, straight, just seemed like it had alot of potential.
4. With all of the problems it had when I got it and after replacing mostly everything other than major components, I can figure out what's wrong or what may go wrong before it does.

As for finding a 3rd generation out here I have searched long and hard. There's not much in my price range and if there is it's in BAD shape. There are too many scam artists out here.

The integra was OK, but nothing special. I just didn't get attached to it like the Yoda.

 

Its been some time since I have posted here. The Yoda is still going, no major catastrophe's. Currently at 175,xxx. Do not drive it much due to gas prices and tickets for tint (just had the tint redone). When I do take it out though ..... I make sure it gets a mud bath!
Take care all!

 

Glad to here that!!

does that mean to say that Mr. Yoda is no longer sad?

 

Wow, heh. Yoda is in the garage with a broken tranny for almost 3 years ........ $2500 to fix. Nah, can't do it. not even sure what's wrong with it, no time. Lost 1st gear. Metal shavings found in the fluid (which was not burnt). I don't know what to do with this thing. I start it up now and then, starts right up still, but I have to jump it ..... won't hold a charge. Some kind of power drain somewhere. Sell it? Fix it? Totally disgusted and discouraged.

 

has anything stopped you from finding a used tranny for $300 or so and just doing a tranny swap, seem it would be possible to find something in the past 3 years.