slomatt
01-28-2009, 10:24 PM
In December I purchased a 2000 4runner 3.4l w/ ~84k miles, it was purchased through a dealer so I didn't get detailed maintenance records. I'm in the process of doing baseline maintenance so I know when items were last replaced and thought the following notes/tips might be useful to others doing the same thing. These are meant to be used in addition to the existing articles on these tasks.
[ MAF / Throttle Body Cleaning ]
The MAF can be removed with the throttle tube still in place if you move the cruise control actuator, but the angle is difficult and if you are cool like me you'll drop a screw into a frame rail and have to retrieve it. It is much easier if you remove the airbox and intake tube from the vehicle so you can get to the screws easier. You have to do this to clean the TB anyway. It's pretty clear in the online instructions, but the MAF wires should not be physically touched with anything during the cleaning process.
[ PCV Valve ]
PCV valves are inexpensive so I decided to replace mine while I had the intake out. The stock rubber grommet was dried out and crumbling a little bit, luckily Northridge Toyota had sent one with the new PCV.
[ Plugs ]
There are a lot of posts complaining about accessing the plugs, it is a little complicated on the 4runner but way easier than replacing the plugs on a horizontally opposed engine like in a Subaru. All 6 of the plugs can be reached using just a socket and a set of long extensions. The passengers side is easy and straight forward, the coil packs just need to be removed. The drivers side is more difficult because the intake manifold is in the way and there is not much clearance to get the spark plug wires out. I unbolted the grounds for the OBDII port and unclipped the OBDII port from it's bracket, after that I could get the 1st plug out. Unbolting the bracket for the throttle cable allowed me to get the 2nd plug out. Temporarily moving a hose from the vertical bracket allowed me to get the 3rd plug out. None of these required anything other than ~16" of ratchet extensions.
Anyway, some of this will be old knowledge, but hopefully some of it will be useful for other people doing routine maintenance.
- Matt
[ MAF / Throttle Body Cleaning ]
The MAF can be removed with the throttle tube still in place if you move the cruise control actuator, but the angle is difficult and if you are cool like me you'll drop a screw into a frame rail and have to retrieve it. It is much easier if you remove the airbox and intake tube from the vehicle so you can get to the screws easier. You have to do this to clean the TB anyway. It's pretty clear in the online instructions, but the MAF wires should not be physically touched with anything during the cleaning process.
[ PCV Valve ]
PCV valves are inexpensive so I decided to replace mine while I had the intake out. The stock rubber grommet was dried out and crumbling a little bit, luckily Northridge Toyota had sent one with the new PCV.
[ Plugs ]
There are a lot of posts complaining about accessing the plugs, it is a little complicated on the 4runner but way easier than replacing the plugs on a horizontally opposed engine like in a Subaru. All 6 of the plugs can be reached using just a socket and a set of long extensions. The passengers side is easy and straight forward, the coil packs just need to be removed. The drivers side is more difficult because the intake manifold is in the way and there is not much clearance to get the spark plug wires out. I unbolted the grounds for the OBDII port and unclipped the OBDII port from it's bracket, after that I could get the 1st plug out. Unbolting the bracket for the throttle cable allowed me to get the 2nd plug out. Temporarily moving a hose from the vertical bracket allowed me to get the 3rd plug out. None of these required anything other than ~16" of ratchet extensions.
Anyway, some of this will be old knowledge, but hopefully some of it will be useful for other people doing routine maintenance.
- Matt