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4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5

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Expert: - 6/16/2011


Question
HELLO CARL,
I HAVE A 2000 TOYOTA RUNNER SR5. WE HAD PROBLEM WITH STARTING THE CAR. AFTER A COUPLE TIME STARTING IT WOULD TURN ON THEN SUDDENLY DIES. SO I HAD TO PUSH THE GAS WHILE TURN IT ON. THE MECHANIC SAID HE CHANGED A VALVE TO FIX IT. BUT A COUPLE HOUR AFTER WE TOOK THE CAR HOME FROM THE SHOP AND MAYBE DROVE IT FOR 10 MILES, SUDDENLY STEAM CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE AND I BELIEVE THE RADIATOR OR THE HOSE CONNECTING IT HAVE PROBLEM. DO YOU THINK MAYBE THE MECHANIC CAUSED IT? ( TODAY HIS SON WHO IS 24 WAS THERE AND IS TRYING TO GET TO DAD'S BUSINESS AFTER FINISHING BA IN HISTORY FROM A VERY PRESTIGE SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!)

Answer
Fara,

You need to get the mechanic that worked on it to look at it again.  I really don't have much faith in the mechanic you used, but he has the responsibility to fix whatever he did wrong.  As far as the leaking hose goes, this shouldn't have been caused by the mechanic.  There is always the chance that the mechanic is not reputable, or doesn't do quality work and relies on recalls for additional work/money.

If the mechanic doesn't want to try to rectify this problem, I would look into getting another mechanic.  Try to find a shop that is reputable and specializes in Toyotas, 4x4s.

The problem should have been found by running a scan on the vehicle.  There are numerous sensors that can cause the engine problem and a good scan should find the faulty component.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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