Hey all,
Here's my situation,
Bought a 2003 Tacoma 4wd, access cab, 3.4L, with an installed TRD Supercharger, @ 148k miles.
Soon after purchase the check engine light came on and so I took it to O'reilys to have the code reading taken. They said it came back reading P300, P302, P303, which was an indication that I was experiencing misfires.
After talking with the guys and doing some of my own research I was able to figure out that I should start by replacing Spark Plugs and go from there.
Had a buddy help me get the plugs gaped and changed correctly, yet was still getting the same codes.
Next step was replacing the 3 coils and the other 3 wires going to the other side of the engine.
Still having this "misfire" code.
Tried a couple fill ups with Lucas Oil to clean the injectors as this was my next step to take.
Also ran a few fill ups with HEAT to try and see if that had any effect on the injectors.
The HEAT seemed to work for a month or so as the check engine light went off on its own. The next time it came back on, I was cancelling cruise control on the highway and personally felt a "misfire" (Or at least that's what I thought I felt), (engine seemed to skip a beat).
While all this was going on I was noticing that I was topping off my coolant regularly, and when I started my car first thing in the morning, there was certainly a "rough idle" for maybe a full 30 seconds then the truck feels fine.
My inexperienced guess was that I had some type of head gasket leak and overnight there was coolant leaking into the cylinders slowly and when I start it up first thing it's misfiring because of the coolant pool inside, and then it clears after burning for ~30seconds.
Caved in and took it to Toy-Auto Masters to do some proper diagnosis.
After looking at it all they could suspect was a fuel injector stuck open and leaking in too much fuel, but I insisted they keep it overnight to get a cold start and take a look. Well they called me the next morning and said they pressurized the cooling system and that I did indeed have coolant inside the cylinders.
So I'm kind of stuck. I am under the impression that I need a new head gasket, but fear there's more, and I really don't have all that much experience or knowledge in fixing on my own. I was quoted $2300 for a head gasket replacement, but am looking to source it for cheaper.
I have some friends that work on cars and told me they are easily able to help me get it replaced (there's also a 6 part youtube series doing this whole process step by step). What I'm more worried about now is the fact that I own a Tacoma with TRD supercharger that is wearing my truck out faster and I don't really know what errors I'm actually experiencing.
I was also reading that the stock injectors for the Tacoma's only produce 240-250cc and toyota made fuel injectors at the time that were capable of 305cc and those are needed to run with a supercharger.
I live in Denver, Colorado if there is anyone in the area/state that can assist or guide me in the right direction without trying to squeeze every penny out of me (like all the other mechanics around). I can drive the truck to you or meetup somewhere in Colorado to have you take a look.
Currently I'm think a head gasket replacement within the next week or 2 with some friends, and don't know if I should be also looking to replace/upgrade injectors.
The engine is at 156k now and I want to repair it and hope to have it last upwards of 300k.
Also when replacing the head gaskets, what other replacements should I be focusing on while my engine is apart so much? Is this the time to replace timing belt, pumps, hoses, etc.
Thanks all for taking a look, any help that can be offered is GREATLY appreciated.
Here's my situation,
Bought a 2003 Tacoma 4wd, access cab, 3.4L, with an installed TRD Supercharger, @ 148k miles.
Soon after purchase the check engine light came on and so I took it to O'reilys to have the code reading taken. They said it came back reading P300, P302, P303, which was an indication that I was experiencing misfires.
After talking with the guys and doing some of my own research I was able to figure out that I should start by replacing Spark Plugs and go from there.
Had a buddy help me get the plugs gaped and changed correctly, yet was still getting the same codes.
Next step was replacing the 3 coils and the other 3 wires going to the other side of the engine.
Still having this "misfire" code.
Tried a couple fill ups with Lucas Oil to clean the injectors as this was my next step to take.
Also ran a few fill ups with HEAT to try and see if that had any effect on the injectors.
The HEAT seemed to work for a month or so as the check engine light went off on its own. The next time it came back on, I was cancelling cruise control on the highway and personally felt a "misfire" (Or at least that's what I thought I felt), (engine seemed to skip a beat).
While all this was going on I was noticing that I was topping off my coolant regularly, and when I started my car first thing in the morning, there was certainly a "rough idle" for maybe a full 30 seconds then the truck feels fine.
My inexperienced guess was that I had some type of head gasket leak and overnight there was coolant leaking into the cylinders slowly and when I start it up first thing it's misfiring because of the coolant pool inside, and then it clears after burning for ~30seconds.
Caved in and took it to Toy-Auto Masters to do some proper diagnosis.
After looking at it all they could suspect was a fuel injector stuck open and leaking in too much fuel, but I insisted they keep it overnight to get a cold start and take a look. Well they called me the next morning and said they pressurized the cooling system and that I did indeed have coolant inside the cylinders.
So I'm kind of stuck. I am under the impression that I need a new head gasket, but fear there's more, and I really don't have all that much experience or knowledge in fixing on my own. I was quoted $2300 for a head gasket replacement, but am looking to source it for cheaper.
I have some friends that work on cars and told me they are easily able to help me get it replaced (there's also a 6 part youtube series doing this whole process step by step). What I'm more worried about now is the fact that I own a Tacoma with TRD supercharger that is wearing my truck out faster and I don't really know what errors I'm actually experiencing.
I was also reading that the stock injectors for the Tacoma's only produce 240-250cc and toyota made fuel injectors at the time that were capable of 305cc and those are needed to run with a supercharger.
I live in Denver, Colorado if there is anyone in the area/state that can assist or guide me in the right direction without trying to squeeze every penny out of me (like all the other mechanics around). I can drive the truck to you or meetup somewhere in Colorado to have you take a look.
Currently I'm think a head gasket replacement within the next week or 2 with some friends, and don't know if I should be also looking to replace/upgrade injectors.
The engine is at 156k now and I want to repair it and hope to have it last upwards of 300k.
Also when replacing the head gaskets, what other replacements should I be focusing on while my engine is apart so much? Is this the time to replace timing belt, pumps, hoses, etc.
Thanks all for taking a look, any help that can be offered is GREATLY appreciated.
