Anyone make good parts for Taco???

[Clark White]

I love my taco, and for the most part have very few problems with it.....however there are some notable exceptions when it comes to water:

First and foremost is my starter. Everytime I go through water, not just deep river crossings, but even flooded roads (which happens fairly often around here) my starter goes out. The solenoid gets wet, and when i go to start, it clicks about 30 times before finally catching. Does anyone make a starter that WONT do this when i get it wet?

Second big issue is my AC compressor clutch. Every time that gets wet, again from fording a river or flooded streets, the bearings go out on the clutch. Is there anywhere I can get a clutch that will actually survive some expedition work?

These two things are really starting to get under my skin, living in a swamp and all water is a fact of life, and even back in AZ deep watter crossings come around everyonce in a while, and it's getting really old rebuilding starters and replacing AC compressors every time.

Thanks!
Clark

 

[toyrunner95]

what year and what motor? looks like a 96 to 2001. if thats true it probably has a 3.4 in it.

 

[Clark White]

what year and what motor? looks like a 96 to 2001. if thats true it probably has a 3.4 in it.

Sorry! Compleatly forgot to add that info. It's a 2000 Taco, 3.4L 5VZ-FE

Clark

 

[Nullifier]

Sorry! Compleatly forgot to add that info. It's a 2000 Taco, 3.4L 5VZ-FE

Clark

Interesting problem. i spend alot of time in the water/mud and deep. I have never had any issues like you describe. I would pull your started and make sure that the contacts inside are ok. As for the clutch in the ac compressor I am assuming you are rebuilding the clutch yourself? If so I would tend to think that something is not happening right in the rebuild. No offense to your mechanical skill but like I say not a common problem by any means for me. How many a/c clutches have you been through?

 

[ExploringNH]

Ive been through many, many water crossings in my 4runner with the 3.4 and dont have either of the issues that you describe. As with most people, my starter contacts went out at around 60k miles, but I replaced them and its been fine since. Before they were replaced though it was not affected by water. My a/c clutch has never been rebuilt or replaced and still works great.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Chalk me up in the no problems with either of those issues... in 3 different 3.4l equipped Toyota's and nearly 300k miles. I'd also suspect worn contacts in your starter, these will likely experience a higher failure rate when wet, but the fix is cheap and relatively easy.

Interesting about your AC clutch, while I've seen bearings go bad, in fact the bearing in my old 96' Tacoma bailed at ~200k, but a new one should last just that long assuming you use a quality part.

 

[Clark White]

Hummmmmmm. I was kind of hoping this would be a common problem, and someone would say here's where you need to go...I think the starter is a Napa, so maby it's just not as good as the real Toyota? I'm going to swing by the dealership tomorrow and see if I can get one. The AC clutch was originally replaced with two Napa parts, but I'm pretty sure it's a Toyota part this time (less then a year old). Would there be anything that might cause the clutch bearings to go so often?

Clark

 

[4Rescue]

I think the starter is a Napa, so maby it's just not as good as the real Toyota?

A) As a general rule of thumb... Nothing ever really is. Every single part in a Toyota is a piece of an equation that, as the factory built it, equals amazing relaibility.

B) I don't know about you, but I'm seeing a direct corelation between the failures and a certain parts supplier eh? I'm not saying that you can't buy any parts from the local auto parts store, but frankly most major, critical to getting down the track, parts should be bought with care.

C) Honestly, since you live in such a water logged/swampy place, you may want to (if you haven't already) do a thurough watter proofing if the engine bay and a snorkel. Some dielectric (how the hell do you spell it?) grease can go a long way to saving parts from taking a bath.

Bummer to hear about your troubles. I'm not the best source of 3.4 knowledge, but alot of guy's here will be. Hope you get to the root of it all and get back on the trail and running trouble free.

Cheers

Dave

 

[Clark White]

A)
B) I don't know about you, but I'm seeing a direct corelation between the failures and a certain parts supplier eh? I'm not saying that you can't buy any parts from the local auto parts store, but frankly most major, critical to getting down the track, parts should be bought with care.

Thinking the same thing as you, I went to the Toyota dealership today looking for a starter. Much to my shock, the Toyota starter was $350? (don't remember exactly, but well over $300). The Toyota guy there actually suggested I go somewhere else to get it, so I went to Advanced Auto, well see if it holds up any better (Advanced comes with a 3yr guarantee where as the Toyota one has NONE).

As far as the AC clutch, I was also thinking it was a manufacturer problem, so this last time I replaced it with the Toyota part, which has failed on me again. This weekend I think I might go in and talk to the head mechanic at the dealership and get his insight. He is very approachable, and has saved me before when another dealership FORGOT to put in the axle seals in that I was paying them to install.

 

[toy_tek]

One more 3.4 with none of the issues you described. I bought mine with 49k on the clock and I noticed the starter was replaced with a reman'd unit, but it has given me no trouble in the 105k that I've put on since. And no A/C issues.

Also, for OEM stuff, call the guys at www.TRDparts4U.com. Dallas Toyota - they are very competitive with OEM pricing. Jacque and Gerone if I recall correctly.

 

[mountainpete]

Sorry Clark, but I've never experienced anything like what you are describing. I've done more water crossings then I can count with a number of bow wakes pushing over the hood and up the windshield.

Nullifier's truck is part USS Tacoma so if he isn't having issues either...

Pete

 

[Clark White]

Huh, I guess I'm just lucky! Going to try to submerge my truck this weekend, so well see what happens with the starter. It is gives out, I'll return it and pony up for the Tacoma one. Thanks for the TDRParts4U link! I'm definitely going to give them a call!

Clark

 

[Clark White]

So I just checked TRD Parts and they have the OEM starter for the same price I just payed for the Advanced starter. I think I'm going to just bring that Advanced one right back and get the OEM one from TRD Parts. Thanks again for that link!

Clark

 

[4Rescue]

So I just checked TRD Parts and they have the OEM starter for the same price I just payed for the Advanced starter. I think I'm going to just bring that Advanced one right back and get the OEM one from TRD Parts. Thanks again for that link!

Clark

I don't know whay I didn't think of them right off. They are GREAT to deal with and I have nothing bad to say about my experience with them. I bought my whole suspension set-up from them and they got me exactly what I need first time and helped me with a few little minor kinks I ran into. Get the genuine part form them at a great price and be happy mate.

Cheers

Dave

 

[toyrunner95]

you know i had the same problem with my old 4runner, it was a 95 and like clock work, every 6 months the battery would crap out. then every year, the starter would go out. i didnt have any clue what was wrong. after i sold it i found out that the alternator was over charging the system because the starter had a bad ground.

i say, replace any old stuff with the factory originals and see what happens.