I have a '91 Pickup with the 3VZE engine in it. one day it just died on me, I haven't been able to figure out why, I've changed the fuel filter, figured it was about time to do that again anyway, and the plugs, wires, cap, and rotor. I've checked the resistances for the IC. I have also checked the resistance for the plug on the Distributor, and the air gap. Everything I have checked has been within specs. I have adjusted the timing while it's been turning over, but to no avail. The next thing I was going to check was compression, but the engine was rebuilt 2 years ago, and has 27K miles on it now, so I'm not sure if that's it or not. Has anyone had this same problem, or have any suggestions on what I can check before I resort to checking the internals? I'm at a loss at what else to check, and any help will be much appreciated! Thanks ahead of time.

 

I did a compression check on it and found out cylinders 1, 3, and 5 are dead, didn't even move the gauge, cylinder 4 is 12 PSI under the minimum acceptable amount. On the odd numbered cylinders the intake valves are stuck open, possibly the exhaust valves also, I know its mainly the intake valves because fuel is getting in the intake and it's direct port injection. Just posting this reply in case anyone sees this post and has the same problem.

 

Did the timing belt fail or slip causing that side to go out of time? Pull the timing belt cover and take a look.

 

Sorry it took me so long to reply on this post I forgot about it. When I removed the timing belt cover I found the idler bearing was missing the lower half of the steel balls so it was pushed up and it was also crooked, and seized in place. The passenger cam for cyl 1, 3, and 5 had skipped about 6 teeth which is why they appeared to have no compression. My engine is a non interference engine so I got lucky with that. I talked to a local machine shop and they have a book on which engines are and which aren't interference engines to verify, but I also checked my valves to be sure. My truck has been sitting because I was waiting to be able to afford the parts I needed, I finally got them so I am going to start reassembly this week. Good call on the timing belt! I tried to post a picture of the bearing but my phone is bein dumb so it wouldn't let me.

 

Good luck with getting it running!

 

Thanks! I'm looking forward to gettin it goin, I've been using a little Suzuki swift pos or a suburban in the time my yota has been down.