This will be my introductory, Please Help Me Thread.
Well, we made it home. Luckily we were car-pooling. My brother got the wives and kids to the sledding area, and by the time he arrived with a new fuel filter and some new hand tools (last time I go anywhere without a basic set of tools), the LC had no symptoms. Started fine, held idle, and held steady when revved to 2K RPM'S. Changed the fuel filter anyway (took 10 mins.) completed the drive to the sledding area some 10-15 miles away, and then made it back home fine. The fact that it started fine before changing out the filter makes me think that was not the issue?
Now that I'm at a keyboard, a bit more background: I bought the truck in August last year. I currently have an 05 Sequoia which the wife drives, and the Cruiser replaced an 03 4Runner w/ the 4.7 (pre-VVTi). Both got better gas mileage and seem to have noticeably better throttle response/acceleration. In fact, that's the only let-down, albeit a big one, about the LC. Is this a common experience?
I loved the 4Runner, a true testament to Toyota trucks, which was 4wd, and OME lifted but it was a bit too small, and I didn't care for the seating position, much like a passenger car, too low to the floor. I sold it to my little sister w/ 170K on the clock, and I'm confident I could drive it across the country tomorrow, though my right knee would hurt from the awkward position. My hope is to buy it back from her when My 10 year old daughter is old enough to drive. Did I mention I loved that truck? I bought it used w/ 60K before my daughter was born, and it was incredibly solid and reliable. The Sequoia is great for a family veh., and long road trips where I won't be off-road. It's 2wd. My only complaints are that the brakes SUCK! I'll be replacing the front calipers soon. And it's nowhere near as nice as the LC which tops both as far as comfort, build quality, and a very solid on-road feel.
The LC will be used as my DD, for camping/hunting/fishing trips, and hauling around our 3 kids (10, 8, and 7) and their sports equipment. When I got the LC it had about 143K on the clock, all in SoCal. It now has 145K. Previous owner said he did not drive it frequently anymore, and it showed. Front and rear brake pads were bad. I changed the fronts the day after I bought it, rear brakes and rotors shortly after (front rotor replacement/bearing service to come soon). It had a dirty air filter (changed immediately), clogged sun-roof drain plugs, the the ac evaporator box leaked and was filthy inside, along with the area under the windshield cowling, both of which were full of tree debris and dog hair. But the fluids had been changed regularly at a Toyota Dealer, in addition to the T-belt change at 84K, and a few bearing/brake service jobs, also at the dealer. The drive train felt solid during test drives, and and has proven to be so since, other than the drive-shaft Thud, which I've researched here and am not worried about (over-greasing also to come soon). A new gas cap cleared a CEL that would throw on cold-morning start-ups. SoCal cold that is, about 50 or under.
On its maiden road-trip, dove hunting in Arizona in September w/temps at 105+, it had a rough idle upon returning to the hotel and going into P after driving fine all night/day. I turned it off and then back on. The starter cranked but could not turn engine on, which stuttered as though the Air/Fuel mixture was off. No CEL thrown. After I let it sit for about 15 mins. it started right up and had no other problems the rest of the trip. When I got home I cleaned the throttle body, MAF, and air box, and the problem did not repeat itself.
No other problems until today. The mountain climb was steep. Went from about 1,500 feet to 7,000 in about 30-40 mins. of drive-time. Temps were in the 70s at the start of the climb and low 50s when the problem started. Gas tank was full. I drove it hard up the hill but the gauges all looked fine, and it showed no ill effects until the climb leveled off. Luckily we were on a slight down hill and able to coast into the gas station before it died.
To CUBuffs, thanks for the link. I'll pour over the thread tomorrow.
To 2001LC, I've enjoyed following your restorations, and I'll be referring to your write-ups as I go through my LC. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. In response to your suggestions:
1. How can I check/test the coils? Should the spark plugs be changed as a matter of course, simply based on age/miles, and previous owners lack of care?
2. How to diagnose the fuel pump issue you mention?
3. With few exceptions, I use Chevron or Shell, and always 91 octane. I've also run 2 or three rounds of fuel additive in the time I've had the LC. One was SeaFoam, one was Chevron Techron, and I think one was STP or NAPA brand.
4. This is a possibility. I usually top off the tank w/ an extra 1/2 gallon or so when I fill up. I will stop doing that. Any tips on checking the condition of the Charcoal canister?
FYI, I'm an amateur tinkerer at best, but I love to learn. Luckily, a good friend has a shop I can use, and though he's not a LC guy, he is a good mechanic.
Thanks to all who post here. This is the most informative and civil forum I've found for any of my interests.