Hello & thank you for your time. I have a 96 Toyota 4Runner. According to live data stream, the #2 cylinder is misfiring & 2 (155lbs), 4 (160lbs) & 6 (165lbs) were low when compression tested. 1, 3 & 5 tested fine. The vehicle runs rougher than it used to, especially at an idle. There are no other signs of a blown head gasket. The vehicle was hit on the drivers side front corner in March but didn't start acting like this until late June. My brother said he knows there was a "poor in" product that in addition to pooring it in the oil (could have been into the water he didn't remember for sure, but thinks it was in the oil) it also came with little lead balls that you put in at the spark plug by taking out each plug and dropping the ball in. Does anyone know if the product is still on the market? If so, who makes it & what is it called?

I looked on line to try and find it & every product or forum I found seems to address all other issues but not lost compression. Any information on the above product or other products/avenues you have experience in for this issue or suggestions you have would greatly be appreciated. My email address is [email protected].

Thanks,
SJ

Stay away from all quick-fix products. They offer false hope and seldom work. Your compression numbers don't really look too bad. Provide us the readings on cylinders 1, 3, and 5.

How long has it been since you changed spark plugs?

Try cleaning the Idle Air Control Valve (IACV), throttle plate, and throttle body:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...ml#post1054149

Afterwards, replace the air filter.

1 (185) & 3 (190), they said the mechanic didn't check 5 because the other 2 were fine. The service advisor said according to the manual, under 175 is unacceptable. Spark plugs & wires were changed right after it started acting this way & the air filter isn't brand new, but still clean. I will tell my brother to clean the other things you mentioned. Thank you for your help. I am open to anything else you or anyone has to offer.

Compression readings should normally not vary more than 20% from one another. Your's don't. I'm skeptical that you need to do anything extreme, at this point. Did they tell you the head gasket was suspect?

Start using full-synthetic engine oil. It may safely clean the engine and restore some of the lost compression.

kitch428 is our factory-trained Toyota expert. He will likely see your posting and chime in.

Yes, they told me without tearing it down, it's their opinion that it is either the head gasket or a cracked head.

Thanks again and hopefully kitch428 will offer his expertise too!

If that's true, I'd get it fixed the right way. My father lost his beloved Toyota truck because of a head gasket leak.

I would do it the right way and chave the head and check the block for any worps and get a new head gasket

Please don't let me hear you put any of these snake oil products in your Toyota!
What you have is a bad injector on #2 cyl. (drivers side front).
I had a '99 last week with a #3 skip. Injector fixed it.
I truly don't believe you have head gasket issues. If all your lower readings were on bank 2, there also could be a possibility that the cam gear is off a tooth on the timing belt. This is easily checked by removing the top rad hose and removing the front cover. Was your diagnosis done at a toyota dealer?

I didn't, I DIDN'T! And don't want to, that's why I reached out to you all. Hello, I was hoping to hear from you. I heard you are the man :cool: for advice since I love my SR5 and don't want to give it up. Yes, I had the diagnosis done at the local Toyota dealer. They made me a little nervous though when they said it might be a cracked head. Not because I don't want to have to fix that, but because it seemed a little extreme considering, lowering my confidence in them. My brother is no expert in Toyotas, but does mechanic work on industrial size trucks/equipment. I called him while the service advisor was standing there & told him what they said, he said pay your bill and get out of there, if your head was cracked we would see other signs. Yes, it is the drivers side front (nearest where it was hit). I appreciate your help greatly. It's terrible not knowing who you can trust (local mechanics and/or dealers).

:D,
Stephanie Jo

Hello kitch428,
I read your post to my brother. He said to ask you, where should rotation of the motor be, tdc1? He also asked if it would be possible for you to provide a drawing of the timing marks or can you tell us where they should be when he removes the cover to look?

Thanks

kitch428 confirmed what I suspected--you don't have a head gasket problem. I would go with kitch428's suggestion, which is not extreme at all, and replace fuel injector #2. I would still clean the Idle Air Control Valve (IACV), throttle plate, throttle body, reset ECM (clear any codes, if necessary), and start using 5W-30 full-synthetic engine oil. Afterwards, I'd be surprised if it didn't idle well.

Here you go. Pay close attn to the marks on page EM 20. The mark on the cams should line up perfectly with the V on the metal plate behind the pulleys. The timing mark on the crank pulley should be 0 TDC, if not, then rotate another 360*
Unfortunately, I won't be able to help much more as I'm leaving on vacation for a week. Best of luck.

5vz-e t-belt.pdf

Nice job, kitch428. Have a great trip.

Thank you for being so generous. Have a wonderful vacation. I hope you are going some where fun an relaxing!

Appreciative new member

Kitch428 and/or TxGreaseMonkey, I looked on line for an injector, they are anywhere from $40 to $125, different brands, some new some refurbished. Any suggestions? Thanks

Normally, this is not a component where I only recommend a particular brand. Use your common sense and shop for price, warranty, and service.