Toyota Tacoma Engine Problems

I have a 1998 4x4 Tacoma Limited TRD. It has 240,000 miles and didn't cause me any problems at all. I had a spark plug unthread itself, taking the threads with it. I found out that installing 22 torque lbs with the torque wrench would have eliminated the problem. The spark plug problem was my own fault.

The original engine, with a 5-speed tranny is trouble free, has been reliable for 7 years now, and has no rust (due to my own rustproofing and diligence). Mind you, I live Hawaii with 100% humidity and salt. I thought I would show some positive reviews. I will never sell this truck.

I have a 2004 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab which I purchased new with a warranty in that year. In March 2011 at 49,000 miles my truck oil light suddenly came on and the vehicle started to lose power. So, as I pulled off the road the engine cut off. As I got out of the truck, I smelled some oil burning and there was some dripping from the engine somewhere.

We had the truck towed to our mechanic where they tried to find out the problem. It turned out that the engine had to be either rebuilt or replaced. The water pump, camshaft, timing belt, etc. are all broken. Estimates to fix it ranged from $5,000 to $8,000 from different garages to the dealership. We decide to stay with our mechanic, as Toyota says that there is no warranty. Our warranty book states 60,000 miles on power train. I ended up spending $6,100 plus, having to rent a car for a couple of weeks while the truck is being fixed. As it turned out, the mechanic said there was another Tacoma with similar issues that he was about to work on. My coworker also had a '04 Tacoma with similar problems but at around 100k miles, which at that time he traded in for another vehicle.

I have a 2000 Toyota Tacoma, 4 cyl. At 28k miles the engine became noisey. I thought it was valves. I took it to dealer where I had purchased it. The Toyota service dept. replaced pistons, wrist pins, rods, bearings and reinstalled the existing piston rings. They measured the clearences of rod bearings, exhaust and intake valves, all checked OK.

At 35k miles the engine noise returned. Took back to the dealer and was told by service dept. rep. that Toyota had made a batch of bad engines and would not do any more repaires, as the engine would perform properly but would be noisey due to clearences of engine parts. I had a major tune up at this time. At 37k miles had engine, manual transmissiom and exhuast noise. Dealer took test drive and said it sounded normal. Had no repairs. At 59.9k miles I had major tune up. Service Dept. forgot to top off brake fluid. At 82.4k miles check engine light came on. Due to the statement at the made to me at 35k miles I took truck to an independent service mechanic. Had engine diagnostic which indicated random misfire, changed plugs and engine light turned off.

At 82.7k miles check engine light on. Returned to same service as above. Had diagnostic and was advised engine needed valve repair as exhaust vales were to tight, cost would be $3965. At 82.9k miles I went to another independent service. Had diagnostic and was told #3 fuel injector not working. Had it replaced. I asked two Toyota dealers and was told that they had replaced only 6 injectors on any model and all were well over 100k miles.

At 83.2k miles returned to original dealer. Had diagnostic and was told it needed valve repair and a new cylinder head which will cost $3928. The total expense on this truck since I purchesed it including my personal servicing will be more than the purchase price of it. My main complaint is the lack support by Toyota in that they said there were no recalls on this engine and because it was rebuilt 55k miles ago their 60k mile warranty has no bearing and they deny any resonsibility for this engine.

On 12/12/02 I brought my Toyota Tacoma to Antioch toyota for the 60k tune up. When it was completed I received an invoice that listed the specific services conducted including the term "engine tune-up." It did not list specifically "valve inspection." I was told those services comprised the 60k tune-up.

At 81,000 miles I brought my truck to Tracy Toyota for a check engine light. I was told that all of the exhaust valves and at least one intake valve were burnt resulting in a $3400.00 estimate. I was told that the problem would more than likely have been avoided if I had had the 60k tune up done, which is supposed to include a valve inspection. I asked Antioch Toyota about the valve inspection and was told that Tacomas do not need a valve inspection/adjustment because they are self adjusting. I found this to be untrue. I asked the service manager why the valve inspection was excluded from the 60k tune up. He told me that I had never actually had a 60k tune up but rather a series of random services performed on the truck.

I assumed a 60k tune up was done because I was at a Toyota dealership, requested the required 60k tune up, was told it was completed, and given a list of services which apparantley comprised the 60k tune up (one of those services being the vague "engine tune up"). The service manager told me that because the term "60,000 mile tune up" was not written on the invoice then I must have just requested a bunch of random services. I still can't explain what some of those services are as I am not mechanically inclined. The service manager told me that it was just too bad and it wasn't his problem.

Damage Resulting: I have $3,400.00 worth of damage to my trucks engine.

In Feb. 2002 the check engine light in my 2000 Toyota Tacoma came on. I took it into the Toyota dealer where I bought it. They checked it out and said that I needed to change the spark plugs. Which I did, however the check engine light remained on. I called NYE Toyota's service center and the rep. that I talked to said to disconnect the batteries for a little while and this would reset the computer, it didn't. When they checked it the first time they said that all parts showed normal wear and that they recommend a 60,000 service and a motor vac. All of this work is not covered under warranty.

On Oct.31,2002 I took my truck back to NYE and explained to them that my check engine light was still on and my truck has a drastic power loss. They checked it agian on the computer and said that my valves are burnt and have to be replaced and that this is also not covered under waranty. The price for this repair is around $1,900.00-$2,100.00. I regulary maintain my truck myself with a log book to prove this.

I work as a remote site superintendent, this leaves my wife home with 6 kids. With my truck down this leaves us with 1 truck and my daughters car. I need a truck for work and my daughter needs hers for school. That leaves me without a vehicle most of the time