Hi -- I usually carpool to work, but I had to take my husband's Toyota 4-Runner today. That thing is usually parked. It's only had 2,000 miles since the last oil change, but that was like in November, and we live in a climate where there are freezing temps in the winter.
Well, everytime I was in idle (stop lights), the truck died. I only live just over a mile away from work, so I made it, but obviously something is wrong. The oil pressure read low (but not bottomed out). The temp gauge ran high (but not topped out).
I'm thinking the radiator might be low & planning to put a gallon of water or so in it after work. Then I will drive straight to an oil-change place to get the oil changed. Do you think that will solve the problem or is there something more serious that I should be thinking about?
The 4-Runner is a 1991 with 110,000 miles on it. My husband bought it when he had a job that required a closed-in cargo bay and four seats big enough to hold grown men, but we hardly use it.
2007-07-16 09:03:48 · 7 answers · asked by sparki777 7 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Strange indeed. Check the oil level, sounds like the engine is low on oil, causing oil pressure problems which increases the heat load. Did the oil pressure light come on before the truck died or after? Low water in the radiator will cause the engine to run hot which will cause the oil pressure to be lower due to changed viscosity. Even with a very hot engine, the oil pressure should not be very low - at least 30#s or so.
Get the vehicle check as soon as you can.
It is possible that there's a problem with the oil pump but that seems unlikely on a Toyota with only 110,000 miles.
Does the check engine light come on too or is it all ready on?
2007-07-16 09:12:20 · answer #1 · answered by jack w 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First about the "low oil pressure light", -- if the engine is not running the oil pump is not "pumping", - so obviously the oil pressrue would be "low" --- or in fact non existant!! Probably the reason truck is shutting off is because the idle speed is too low, -- or the "highspeed idle solenoid" which is supposed to be energized whern a/c is not working, -- or possibly the " throttle damper daspot' that is supposed to keep engine from dropping down on ide (too fast) is not working! At any rate, it is an idle probelm of some kind, and has nothing to do with the low oil pressure light ,--- in fact the probelm is the other way around,-- the low oil pressure light is because of the idle not being right (and engine dying)!
2016-05-19 03:52:46 · answer #2 · answered by mechelle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
BEFORE you turn it on again, check the oil. if there is no oil or just a little on the dipstick, have a colleague or someone take you to a parts store and get a few quarts of oil (put a quart in and then check the level again as to not overfill). if you drive it with too low oil or none at all it will permanently damage and seize the engine.
as for the radiator (coolant) there should be a reservoir and a marked fill line. for now water will be fine to get that to the proper level. be sure to not overfill the coolant either. and don’t open the radiator while the engine is hot.
on the other hand if all fluids are fine then your looking at a different problem, clogged fuel filter, injection or carburator issues. or even bad gas as long as its been sitting.
best of luck!
2007-07-16 09:19:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The oil pressure is probably low due to low idle rpm's but low oil pressure won't cause the engine to stall. The high coolant temp could be unrelated to the stalling (replace the thermostat and get it flushed.) If the car has fuel injection, get the throttle body cleaned. If it has a carburetor (doubtful), take it out on the highway and floor it a couple of times at high speed - it will blow the build-up out of it. If that doesn't help, get it cleaned and adjusted. The best fix is to not let it sit so long without running it.
2007-07-16 09:13:50 · answer #4 · answered by Roby W 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree, check the oil. If the engine has no oil pressure, the engine management will shut down the fuel pump.
2007-07-16 09:55:40 · answer #5 · answered by double E 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most likely there is no oil in it at all. That's why it's running hot and you have no oil pressure. Don't drive it anymore unless you want a seized up engine.
2007-07-16 09:07:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
wish i could help ypou.. hope you get it sorted x
2007-07-17 00:03:08 · answer #7 · answered by mary jane b 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋