Guys, I need some diagnostic help. My family and I moved to Buckeye, AZ from Missouri last Summer. We drive a 1998 that I try to repair as much as I can myself. In early December I replaced the original fuel pump. The result was fantastic. On a trip to Illinois its under-70 mph mpg was over 17. Before that trip I rotated the tires and changed the oil at a local Firestone. They mentioned that there was a slight oil leak and recommended a valve gasket replacement.
Upon returning from Illinois, I scheduled the job with them. The next morning (after picking it up) driving on I-10, my wife and I noticed surging, lack of power, and faulty temperature gauge. I turned on DashCommand and observed a cylinder 8 misfire. When we arrived at our destination (under 10 miles away), I looked in the engine bay. 7 fasteners were not put back. Two brackets were missing. The temperature sensor was unplugged. One of bank one's valve cover bolts was sheared off, and two appeared to not have been touched. That is, the job was not done on that side.
I took it back and the service writer agreed that the bank one gasket could not have been replaced. He suggested that the entire job be redone.
After the second attempt, things became worse. Cylinder 4 misfire now, with a check engine light flashing, engine shaking, and a massive oil leak on my garage floor the next morning.
Concerned, the branch manager wanted one of his master technicians to take care of it. Three weeks later, he finished. Apparently to fix everything, he had to send off the valves to be grinded and valve cover rethreaded. He replaced the timing belt, tensioner, spark plugs, one coil, head gasket.
Results as of right now:
1) White smoke upon cold starts
2) 199-205 engine temp (whereas it previously ran between 189 and 194)
3) What sounds like lifter ticking on bank one
4) Acceleration surging/jerking, most noticeable after reaching running temperature and from a stop or lower speeds. It feels like the transmission is confused at low speeds.
This Monday, March 22, I will take it back. The branch manager wants to replace the thermostat and let his master tech investigate the other symptoms. At some point he wants the Avondale Toyota dealership to inspect the work and verify it has been fixed.
From my description above, can any of you notice something obvious to check? Any advice is appreciated. Once this episode is over, my plan is to take the Cruiser to Right Toyota in Scottsdale and have Mr. Murphy take care of any future work.
Thanks in advance
Upon returning from Illinois, I scheduled the job with them. The next morning (after picking it up) driving on I-10, my wife and I noticed surging, lack of power, and faulty temperature gauge. I turned on DashCommand and observed a cylinder 8 misfire. When we arrived at our destination (under 10 miles away), I looked in the engine bay. 7 fasteners were not put back. Two brackets were missing. The temperature sensor was unplugged. One of bank one's valve cover bolts was sheared off, and two appeared to not have been touched. That is, the job was not done on that side.
I took it back and the service writer agreed that the bank one gasket could not have been replaced. He suggested that the entire job be redone.
After the second attempt, things became worse. Cylinder 4 misfire now, with a check engine light flashing, engine shaking, and a massive oil leak on my garage floor the next morning.
Concerned, the branch manager wanted one of his master technicians to take care of it. Three weeks later, he finished. Apparently to fix everything, he had to send off the valves to be grinded and valve cover rethreaded. He replaced the timing belt, tensioner, spark plugs, one coil, head gasket.
Results as of right now:
1) White smoke upon cold starts
2) 199-205 engine temp (whereas it previously ran between 189 and 194)
3) What sounds like lifter ticking on bank one
4) Acceleration surging/jerking, most noticeable after reaching running temperature and from a stop or lower speeds. It feels like the transmission is confused at low speeds.
This Monday, March 22, I will take it back. The branch manager wants to replace the thermostat and let his master tech investigate the other symptoms. At some point he wants the Avondale Toyota dealership to inspect the work and verify it has been fixed.
From my description above, can any of you notice something obvious to check? Any advice is appreciated. Once this episode is over, my plan is to take the Cruiser to Right Toyota in Scottsdale and have Mr. Murphy take care of any future work.
Thanks in advance