Just bought this 4runner a few weeks ago and everything has ran great up until today.

The symptoms:
Rough/low idle that borders on stalling out but never actually chokes out
Sputtered sluggish acceleration
When shifting down and decelerating sometimes the exhaust sputters or pops lightly
(these three symptoms are not constant, i can drive it for several minutes without either of these happening)
Starts great

Engine was rebuilt (2008), new clutch (2009), new fuel pump (2009), new alternator (2010), there is no catalytic converter but new exhaust form the engine back, I think the timing chain was replaced with the water pump (2008).

I talked to the seller, a friend of mine, and after I told her the timeline and story she mentioned that the truck sometimes gets upset after running on empty for a bit and filling the tank back up.

Any help you can give would be great. The only idea that I had was maybe there is debris or corrosion in the gas tank that is why this might happen after running the tank to empty and filling up again.

Cheers,
Graham

 

Its possible the tank is full of rust, it would help to know what year 4Runner you have, but if its an 84-88 there is an access panel under the rear passenger side seat that you can remove, that will give you access to the fuel pump, unbolt it and lift it out and you will be able to look into the tank and see whats in there. Also replace the fuel filter.

 

Thanks man, it is an 88'. I'll check into the fuel tank and filter.

Cheers,
Graham