Question-------------------------
Followup To
Question - The engine code is 3VZN. Sorry to have left that out last time. Thanks!
Hi Ted,
I have a 1995 4Runner SR5. It is 2wd, V6, AT with 146k miles. I bought it used last fall. To date I have flushed the coolant, replaced all hoses, changed the oil, and replaced the o-ring on the oil cooler (it was leaking). The only other problem has been the one described below.
In December 2005, I got in the truck to go to work and when I slowed down at a stoplight, the engine RPMs began fluctuating wildly (betwee 350-1000 rpms). The truck constantly acted as if it would die everytime I stopped; however, it operated fine at road speeds. After work it would barely start (I actually had to hold down the gas pedal) - similar to flooding in a carbureted engine. A recommended local mechanic looked at the truck for several days - he couldn't get the problem to duplicate routinely. During his investigation he noticed the engine was putting an excesive amount of fuel in the engine (there was gas in the oil pan and a little fuel in the air duct). He checked/replaced all the spark plugs and stated that he could not find one cylinder that was worse than the rest - based on this and some other tests he determined the injection system was working properly. He checked the fuel pump - it was normal. He ended up replacing the fuel pressure regulator. The problem was fixed and the mileage even improved some. However, this morning the vehicle did the same thing - starts fine, runs good, about 1 mi from the house (at a stoplight)the rpms are very low <500 and it wants to die. I got the vehicle home, shut it off, and tried to restart - once again it doesn't want to start and appears to be flooding like last time. The only similarity to this event and the previous one is that it got fairly cold (for TN) the night previous to the event, other than that I stumped. Please provide any assistance you can, I really like this vehicle and have been trying to get it fully up to speed since I bought it.
Thank you,
Chris Hollingsworth
Answer -
Since in that year model the engine could be either a 3VZN or a 5VZN I need to know which one it is, please look under the hood for the ID label.
AnswerThere could be an air leak between the air flow meter and the trhottle body, the rubber intake hoses can crack and cause idle and starting problems, if there are no leaks there check the egr system, there is a possibility that the egr valve is staying on, sticking open.
The egr valve should always be closed at idle, if it stays on it will cause the engine to stumble and idle rough and at very low rpm. This can be intermittent.
