Quote:
Originally Posted by NoBozo
Hi MAXUM: I just had a chance to read your entire post this afternoon. Interesting stuff.
In a perfect world, the OBDII computer can be a useful device. On my old truck when the CEL first came on at around 50K miles, (Warranty expired) I took it to the dealer and they "sniffed" the computer and found nothing. They charged me $35 to do it.
The next time it tripped, I reset it (battery disconnect) and started a Logbook with the mileage everytime the CEL went on, I would write down the mileage. For 40K miles or so I did this with NO decernable pattern. Miles between tripping were random..sometimes a couple of thousand miles apart..sometimes only a hundred. The only work I did on the truck ('95 Taco) that would have any connection to OBD were replacing O2 sensor Gaskets & Nuts in the exhaust pipe. The sensors themselves May Have been bad but it didn't have any effect on the way the truck ran....AND State Inspection didn't use the OBD then.
MY Problem is, I have never really Trusted Dealers to be Honest mechanics. This was reinforced on my last LAST TWO consecutive visits to the dealer where I had purchased my last three NEW vehicles, and had had almost all my service done for the previous 14 years.
So I'm back to changing my own oil again..@ 69 years old.  I have not been back to that dealer since. Almost two years.
MAXUM..My apologies for not reading your entire post last night.  NB |
No sweat NB, I will admit to getting a little wordy sometimes and certainly have my opinions, good bad or indifferent.
For your Taco, (if it was the 3.4L 5VZE) three typical problem areas for throwing the CEL. Again not knowing the codes makes it pure speculation but I would bet in the following order on that one based on your description.
1. dirty MAF (mass air flow) sensor, very common problem.
2. loose crank case breather tube into the intake hose pre plenum.
3. air leaks at the O2 sensor flange, especially a problem on the heated O2 sensor (pre cat)
I've had the first two on my 98 T100 4X4, all three on my sister's 00 Tundra. I don't blame you on not trusting mechanics, we had some real idiots that worked at the dealer where I worked, there was also alot of up selling work that did not need to be done and sometimes wasn't (but still charged). That is part of the reason I bailed from being a mechanic, I'm to honest a guy to openly screw people like that, my service manager well he had no conscience so he had no problems sleeping at night. Sad for sure. I won't let anyone touch my vehicles period.
Enough of all the mechanical stuff, that's what other boards are for, my apologies for getting a bit out of hand and off topic. I just love mechanical stuff and figured maybe I could help you out a bit.
Lake Content: What the heck am I doing working on a day like today when I should be out on the boat on the lake?
Answer: Oh yeah gas ain't free for the working class bums.
Cheers!