Topic: My 3.0 is hurting:(

[tommyboy]

Alright guys I've got a nice idle problem with my 3.0! Before anyone says search, I want you to know that I've read all 173 pages in this tech thread of this forum! But it won't hurt my feelngs if you do. So here we go...I recently did a head gasket job after recently purchasing the truck with a low compression #5 cylinder. I know this because he told me not because I tested it myself. As soon as I got it I just tore into it. But anyways, I followed my chiltons word for word(for the most part). I had some timing troubles but I go it all far enough to be drivable but not dependable. So here are my issues..it's a pain to get fired, it takes a couple cranks. It won't idle at what it should, which I think is 1200 at start and 800 at idle(?) Takes forever to get warm, forever! I'm not throwing codes. Runs sloppy when the gas is on, I have to bury it. I haven't put new plugs in yet, but all the other ignition stuff is new. I'm addressing that issue asap. Tested the airflow sensor with a multimeter and it was good. Did the same with the tps, checked out fine. What's left? I put in a new thermostat and water pump. All vac lines are good too. I know I'm forgetting stuff but please ask any questions so I know I'm getting my point across right.

[jeetS]

sounds like a timing issue to me

[junya92toy]

Could be the timing is off, like the belt is a tooth off.  My 3.0 would idle crazy, 1500, then 800 then 1200 then 800 back to 1500. I reset my computer, been fine since.

[93REDCRAWLER]

Could be the timing is off, like the belt is a tooth off.  My 3.0 would idle crazy, 1500, then 800 then 1200 then 800 back to 1500. I reset my computer, been fine since.

X2

[Bradtoyotas]

If it's hurting kiss it better 

[motormouth559]

I am the new owner of this truck  and i have ben busy swapping out springs shocks and tires and shopping for the kid i have had no time on the motor to figure it out also i will be picking up another low miles 3.0 for a spare just in case ... If there is anyone that knows allot about these 3.0 and are in the Fresno area please stop on by i always keep 2 cases of beer next to the truck ... Happy holidays all

[boneyard customs]

Throw it away, I bought a 1988 Toyota 4 Runner with a 3.0 ran great, So the seller told me heard they have head gasket issues ? I just wanted the body. I scraped the rest ! Filled my tank bought a case of beer and went to the hills. Best motor I almost never owned.

[funnrunner51]

try cleaning your throttle body. my 3.0 had a rough idle and would jump from 200 to 1000 some times and would also stall out at stops. cleaned the throttle body and it has ran good eversince. be sure not to get the cleaner on the tps i removed mine

[THK Matt]

Throw it away, I bought a 1988 Toyota 4 Runner with a 3.0 ran great, So the seller told me heard they have head gasket issues ? I just wanted the body. I scraped the rest ! Filled my tank bought a case of beer and went to the hills. Best motor I almost never owned.

besides the exhaust and HG issue, they are not that horrible of an engine. and saying "get rid of it and junk it" doesnt solve his issue.

Sounds like a timing issue though

[motormouth559]

try cleaning your throttle body. my 3.0 had a rough idle and would jump from 200 to 1000 some times and would also stall out at stops. cleaned the throttle body and it has ran good eversince. be sure not to get the cleaner on the tps i removed mine

I did that thanks for the advice and it has a new TPS sensor

[motormouth559]

besides the exhaust and HG issue, they are not that horrible of an engine. and saying "get rid of it and junk it" doesnt solve his issue.

Sounds like a timing issue though

You are correct sir .. So whats going on i tried to jump the TE-E1 connectors in the diagnostic with the engine running and not a lick of changed still ran like crap have you ever herd of jumping the connectors and NOTHING chainging !!! some info please .. a buddy says bad ECU what do you all think ...!

[motormouth559]

Could be the timing is off, like the belt is a tooth off.  My 3.0 would idle crazy, 1500, then 800 then 1200 then 800 back to 1500. I reset my computer, been fine since.

Also tried to reset the computer and nothing changed

[THK Matt]

You are correct sir .. So whats going on i tried to jump the TE-E1 connectors in the diagnostic with the engine running and not a lick of changed still ran like crap have you ever herd of jumping the connectors and NOTHING chainging !!! some info please .. a buddy says bad ECU what do you all think ...!

A bad ECU i find a little extreme unless you crossed the battery cables or something like that to give the ECU a jolt or got it wet.
id definitely redo the timing to oem spec and start from there.

[twistedtoy92]

timing for sure. if it ran fine before but had low compression on #5 how did you do the headgaskets? maybe it needed piston rings or a valve job.....

Your ECU is fine, those Toyota ECU's rarely go out unless something shorts out or overloading it.

[yotatough]

timing for sure. if it ran fine before but had low compression on #5 how did you do the headgaskets? maybe it needed piston rings or a valve job.....

Your ECU is fine, those Toyota ECU's rarely go out unless something shorts out or overloading it.

what does it mean when you put the jumper in to time it and it dosent put it into loop?

[motormouth559]

what does it mean when you put the jumper in to time it and it doesn't put it into loop?

X2 this is the problem that's holding the motor back ... I didn't do the hg the previous owner did tommyboy and i have no clue if it was running right or not before the hg job.

[THK Matt]

sounds like your timing is so far off when u throw a light on it.... your not seeing it go in loop as opposed to normal

[yotatough]

sounds like your timing is so far off when u throw a light on it.... your not seeing it go in loop as opposed to normal

no, you can see the mark, and it dosent change at all when the jumper is installed, it dosent go into loop, that's why I thought it was ecu or somthing electrical.

[BUDDERS]

 I found an issue on one of those after another tech did a headgasket job.  What that tech didn't tell me is that he damaged the wirring harness for the knock sensor, but fixed it and ran an extended cable right next to the distributor.  As soon as the distrubutor tried to advance timing, the computer thought the engine was knocking and retarded the timing.  Than engine was a total slug until I replaced the knock sensor wire.

[twistedtoy92]

those knock sensors are in a shity location too....

[motormouth559]

thats some good info ! ill have to check it out and report back !!!