91 4runner 3.0 3vze.
I just spent the last 3 days replacing the head gaskets in my 4runner.
oem toyota gasket set and timing belt
In process I replaced the coolant temp sensor, timing belt, spark plugs and alternator/fan belts.
I finally got it all back together.

Now, to get it to start I have to advance the timing to 15 deg btdc then it starts. runs rough (engine shakes) I have set it to 10 deg bad fuel odor in exhaust fluid in exhaust smells of gas white exhaust then shut it off. then the engine will not start(unless timing is advanced). I have checked the vacuum lines they're ok It runs rich it is as if the fuel is not burning as it should.
suggestions please!

 

Missing firing? Check you ignition system. Coil, plugs, wires, Distributor, rotor button. Compression messed up.
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95 Toyota 4runner SR5 V6 3.0 4x4 Autoamtic 150,000 Miles

 

Spark plugs not firing in sequence... or cam timing off.

 

did you remove the distributor when you did the hg job?

 

When I built my engine I had the same problem. I was sure I had the vacuum lines correct but after checking and checking I found I had the fuel return line connected to a vacuum line. Pop of the intake from the throttle body and look in...is there gas in the plenum? If so then there is probably a line somewhere that isn't correct. If it's dry in there then your problem is most likely something else. If gas is dripping out the tailpipe then you might want to check your oil too. Pull the dipstick and smell it. If there's that much extra gas it probably washed down past the piston rings and into the oil. Probably a good idea to change it.

Jason

 

ok i replaced the cap and rotor truck starts right up @ 10deg btdc
but there is still fuel coming out exhaust but nowhere near the volume is it possible that the cold start injector is bad?

Tested cold start injector. Appears to give too much fuel. Minor. Problem still exists when cold start injector is not hooked up.

 

update
after following green93's suggestions rechecked vacuum/ fuel lines found a mix up and cleared it up. Starts good, It's not shooting fuel any more, no idle problem have not changed oil yet, will do in morning. do have smell of fuel in exhaust and alot of smoke but doesn't smell like coolant. I hope it is just the fuel in the oil.
I don't have the time/energy to replace the hg again

 

Well good news. Glad you got it fired up. Let me know how long it smokes for since the gas was in the muffler. I live in a townhouse so I want to know how long I'll be smoking out my neighbors. Don't want to piss anyone off....technically I'm not supposed to do any work on my vehicle here.

Jason

 

well I got it out of the driveway drove it around the neighborhood a bit to clear the smoke. It took about 15-10 mins but it is clear sure had a laugh. I felt like uncle buck! I got back and let it idle a bit the idle speed is low and I need to adjust it still. My valves are louder than before I think, but it has been about three weeks since I last heard it running. I'll check the oil level and see if that clears anything up. but I realize it still needs some break time. But for a first time hg replacement. I don't think I did too bad. thanks for the help!

 

Did you do like I mentioned and check the oil? Pull the dipstick and smell it....if it smells like gas it's probably a good time to change the oil. I'm not sure how bad it is but I wouldn't think that oil diluted with gas would work as well as it should.

Good to hear the 10-15 mins. A quick run around the block and I should be good.

Jason

 

Yeah, I did change the oil. I had a few small issues that I had to finish that reared their head during a test drive. #1 I didn't change the thermostat when I should have(temp went way high). #2 I had a vacuum leak @ the air intake by the throttle body. Sealed it up temporally New part on way. The plus side is I talked to my guy at the dealership before I found the fuel/vacuum snafu and he recommended a new fuel pressure regulator so I saved $150.
It runs like a champ. My friends are all relieved that they probably won't be my taxi for a while!

 

The dumb part about the thermostat is that I bought the thermostat in preparation for the job but I was reluctant about using it because it wasn't oem. And I read so many warnings on here about not using aftermarket stats but I needed to use it, so I did drill a small hole (smaller than the stock) for fluid bypass. I did that and filled the radiator, I was able to put a gallon more fluid in. Radiator and engine now both warm up cool little $15 part. sure is nice when it works, but a complete ass when it doesn't. In fairness, it was well below freezing when it broke so I wasn't looking for an overheating engine.

 

All together with parts and some tools from harbor freight I think I spent about $900.cheaper than another used car and I Know it will last longer. It may have 225k mi on it, but it is still running better than my old saab's. I am very pleased.

 

rough idle.
my3vze is acting up again
I went on a 110mi trip and while entering town off of the interstate my idle started going low. I have driven it for the last couple of days. starts normal, warms up , bad idle, stuttered acceleration, all vacuum lines seem fine. Cleaned & re-oiled air cleaner. any ideas?

 

It sounds like a intake leek to me. If you checked all your vac lines then it may be that the intake hoze is cracked. I have heard of this happenng b4.

 

i did have a crack at the intake hose before and repaired it. Today however I found the problem spark plug wires on cylinders 3 and 5 were arcing to the egr body (broken plastic guides) replaced them and the guides, all cylinders firing now. Easy fix thanks for the help.