Quick question for you 4Runner guys...

[ExpoScout]

I have a lead on a 1993 4Runner.

Here's the scoop on it:

First off, its a CA truck...and has spent the majority of its life there.

It has 30k on a brand new 3.0 (supposedly...), 5spd, white in color (some clear coat coming off in spots), tires are pretty good, etc.

Everything else seems normal for a vehicle thats 17 years old or so.

The only real issue is a squealing pulley. The guy didnt know much about the problem, but said he was told it was some pulley or possibly the harmonic balancer. Have any of you guys heard of this problem? Is it common? Something more than just a pulley? It squeals all the time while its running. Its not that loud, as I drove it tonight and it an overwhelming sound, but certainly was there.

Oh, it needs a gas cap door also...and just some TLC. And it seems like a pretty good deal for what he's asking....if it indeed has 30k miles.

Any thoughts? Any things I should really take a long hard look at before pulling the trigger on this one?

Thanks a bunch guys.

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Water Pump Bearings going bad? Yes, they squeal.

Or. Alternator.

Whatever.....

Don't buy the truck!




.

 

[dms1]

I had a 93 4Runner up until two years ago that ran great (it got totaled in a rear end accident), the clear coat on mine was coming off on the roof, but the rest of the paint was good.

You should find out what is squealing before you buy it, going from memory, I think there are only two belts, the timing belt and one fan belt that turns the alternator and ac pump. The water pump is turned by the timing belt.

You should find out if the idler pulley or water pump were replaced during the engine rebuild, if they were and they are making the squeling noise I would think there is something wrong with the build as they should last 60K miles.

If you do end up buying the 4Runner and you determine you need to replace the idler pully or water pump, you should replace both and the timing belt at the same time as you have to remove the timing belt to replace the water pump.

I really liked my 93 4Runner, until I bought my 99 4Runner, the 3.0 and 3.4 engines are a lot different power wise.

 

[ExpoScout]

Water Pump Bearings going bad? Yes, they squeal.

Or. Alternator.

Whatever.....

Don't buy the truck!

.

Dont?

According to the current owner its not a rebuild, its a brand new engine.

 

[Mr. Leary]

Check the tension on the belts. It is easy to overtighten the adjuster screw below the alternator and it may have ruined the bearing on the alternator. If the belt has no play at all... take the alternator off and inspect it for damage.

but before you start pulling parts...

Go get yourself a mechanics stethoscope and poke around in there. You should find the source of the problem without too much trouble.

 

[Asha'man]

What actually has 30K miles, the motor or the truck? Either way, it's easy to rip that crappy motor out and slap in a 3.4 if the body is clean.

 

[ExpoScout]

What actually has 30K miles, the motor or the truck? Either way, it's easy to rip that crappy motor out and slap in a 3.4 if the body is clean.

Motor has 30k...not rebuilt

Body has over 200k...but for its age its in pretty dang good shape

 

[toyota_jon]

how much is the seller asking if you don't mind me asking? hard to say if it's worth the buy without knowing price.

As long as the price is reasonable i probably wouldn't be too worried about the squeal. more often than not those are easy fixes. However i will say this. WHENEVER someone says they had an engine rebuilt or even put a "new" one in GET PAPERS! no papers no sale. too many people out there who don't know what their doing when it comes to rebuilding motors. and if you get one that wasn't done properly then forget it i'll cost you WAY more in the long run.

 

[ExpoScout]

how much is the seller asking if you don't mind me asking? Hard to say if it's worth the buy without knowing price.

As long as the price is reasonable i probably wouldn't be too worried about the squeal. More often than not those are easy fixes. However i will say this. Whenever someone says they had an engine rebuilt or even put a "new" one in get papers! No papers no sale. Too many people out there who don't know what their doing when it comes to rebuilding motors. And if you get one that wasn't done properly then forget it i'll cost you way more in the long run.

$3300

 

[Krut29]

The noisy squealing sound is probably comming from the pully bracket assembly. When you look into the engine is in in front center. Some people would say it looks like a water pump, but it is not. Toyota wants alot of money for the part, I believe somewhere north of $500.00, but you can find them on ebay for about 100.00 chinese made.
I would try to get the guy under $3000.00, tell him Toyota wants about $500.00 for the pulley bracket.

Good luck,
Ken

 

[BLKNBLU]

The noisy squealing sound is probably comming from the pully bracket assembly. When you look into the engine is in in front center. Some people would say it looks like a water pump, but it is not. Toyota wants alot of money for the part, I believe somewhere north of $500.00, but you can find them on ebay for about 100.00 chinese made.
I would try to get the guy under $3000.00, tell him Toyota wants about $500.00 for the pulley bracket.

Good luck,
Ken

Agreed. If you can determine that it is that fan pulley bracket, keep in mind that it is a fairly involved job. Also, there was a change in that part from 92 to 93. The 93 and newer part is more expensive, less available aftermarket, and more involved to install. The 88-92 part is cheap and readily available. The newer part, not so much. Here is a lengthy/chatty but useful thread about it from Yotatech as well as a link to the online '93 service manual describing what is involved in replacing it.

http://www.yotatech.com/f116/shop-127893/
http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-buchanan/93fsm/engine/67timingbe.pdf

That said, the squeal in question may not be the problem at all in your particular case. Just want to give you a heads up about a job that looks cheap and easy but, in fact, is not.

 

[Asha'man]

$3300

Too much. I'd offer him $2k, IF and only IF there's paperwork on the engine.

 

[ExpoScout]

Awesome, thanks for all the input guys!

 

[toyota_jon]

The noisy squealing sound is probably comming from the pully bracket assembly. When you look into the engine is in in front center. Some people would say it looks like a water pump, but it is not. Toyota wants alot of money for the part, I believe somewhere north of $500.00, but you can find them on ebay for about 100.00 chinese made.
I would try to get the guy under $3000.00, tell him Toyota wants about $500.00 for the pulley bracket.

Good luck,
Ken

pretty much sums it up right there. I wouldn't spend anymore than $2600 maybe $2700. good luck!

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Dont?

According to the current owner its not a rebuild, its a brand new engine.

There is No Such Thing.....as a Brand new 3.0V6 in 2009/10. Impossible!

When my new Rebuilt 3.0V6 finally dies (and it only has 3,000 miles on it...and you have no idea how much I have already spent on it to keep it running!). I'm cramming a diesel in my truck! I've had it with the 3.0V6.....!

If I were you. I would hold out for a 1996+ with the 3.4V6. Or get a 2.4 or 2.7.....4 cyl.

I'm speaking from experience.

Do not listen at your own peril!

.