Knock sensor bad on 4Runner? I’m boned

[bluto 4942]

Anybody dealt with this shit? Dealership quoted 4500 fucking dollars if it’s a full replacement. Only hope is it’s rodent damage and comprehensive insurance will cover it. Unfucking real the cost. 

[elfenix 34332]

looking around on the intertrons that sounds like a don't-want-to-do-the-work price.  unless that's for a whole new (used) engine/sensors/gaskets/harness, though that would probably undershoot by 50%. 

Edited October 30, 2022 by elfenix

[TwiceHorn 31535]

Seems to be conveniently located under the intake manifold. so that's a lot of fun, although its a $75 part, probably x2 (each cylinder bank).

So that's a pain in the ass.  But probably not a $4500 pain in the ass.

[bluto 4942]

Any mechanic recs in central/east dallas? 
 

also wondering how much a dealership would bend me over on trade in if I just said f it. 2016 base model with 95k miles. Kbb says 20-25k depending on condition. 

[Bevo&Pevo 5218]

Does any YouTube gurus have a fix or solution for this? It might give you a better idea of what you are up against.

[bluto 4942]

6 minutes ago, Bevo&Pevo said:

Does any YouTube gurus have a fix or solution for this? It might give you a better idea of what you are up against.

Ya I’ve looked it over. No way in hell I can tackle it and seems like a tricky bitch beyond just the getting to it factor. 
 

put it into a repair estimator and it’s 3-4k on that.
 

taking it into Firestone to get diagnosed/eyes/camera on it. Never thought I’d be hoping for rodent damage but here I am. 

[ztejas 43534]

1 hour ago, bluto said:

Any mechanic recs in central/east dallas? 
 

also wondering how much a dealership would bend me over on trade in if I just said f it. 2016 base model with 95k miles. Kbb says 20-25k depending on condition. 

Give me a sec and let me try and find my guy's number who used to work on my 4runner when I was living up there. He's the best. 

I'll shoot you a pm. 

[tx 3 putt 77413]

Hit the 4Runner boards for a mechanic req 

[Guest]

Excuse me? I was led to believe 4Runners are bulletproof, and that's a big reason we bought one.

I'll admit, I don't really like it if I'm being honest. Drives like a fucking boat.

[Updawg 2286]

Was it caused by a rodent?

[tbone_ 14158]

I had knock sensor issues in an old Toyota t100. Serious pita. Bottom of the engine and they throw the check engine light which means no inspection sticker. $3k was the price.

[bluto 4942]

Waiting at Firestone now, initial dx is the battery is going bad/shorting which is tripping the sensor. It’s new battery from 5 yrs ago so quite possible/needing a new one around now anyhow. Good lord I hope that’s the case. 
 

Battery got it out of limp mode but the sensor is still effed for whatever reason. They want to replace it, tech saw the book called for 19 hours and he said that’s bs, he could do 5 hours which sounds more accurate. $1200 all in for it

Edited November 1, 2022 by bluto

[elfenix 34332]

45 minute video on youtube.  so 19 hours is probably accurate.

[Homercles 10206]

12 hours ago, elfenix said:

45 minute video on youtube.  so 19 hours is probably accurate.

Yeah out of curiosity I watched that same one, they’re buried in the v underneath the IM.  Notably that video didn’t include draining/refilling the coolant, and had me nervous about dropping a fastener into the engine at one point.  
 

Dude has quite the array of wrenches to get into some tight spots…I’d spend 19 hours just going back/forth to the hardware store and doing the job twice after my first attempt resulted in leftover parts.  
 

For $1200 I’d make sure both knock sensors were replaced as the job is all labor.  

[tbone_ 14158]

Also make sure they use correct OEM sensors. Off brands will still throw the check engine code. Ask me how I know this.

[bluto 4942]

Good call on both there, I need to double check on oem (have seen that issue elsewhere) and they are def doing both sensors. Also having them flush coolant which makes sense timing wise. 
 

tech mentioned how Toyota is over the top with removing cylinder head to do this job and there are workarounds, as seen and done online. 

[Anton Chigurh 3319]

Good call on both there, I need to double check on oem (have seen that issue elsewhere) and they are def doing both sensors. Also having them flush coolant which makes sense timing wise. 
 
tech mentioned how Toyota is over the top with removing cylinder head to do this job and there are workarounds, as seen and done online. 

This is pretty much it.

There is a Toyota specialist in mid-cities (I know, not Dallas), but it sounds like you’re on your way already.

[tx 3 putt 77413]

22 hours ago, bluto said:

Waiting at Firestone now, initial dx is the battery is going bad/shorting which is tripping the sensor. It’s new battery from 5 yrs ago so quite possible/needing a new one around now anyhow. Good lord I hope that’s the case. 
 

Battery got it out of limp mode but the sensor is still effed for whatever reason. They want to replace it, tech saw the book called for 19 hours and he said that’s bs, he could do 5 hours which sounds more accurate. $1200 all in for it

 

i wouldn't trust firestone 

[bluto 4942]

On 11/1/2022 at 10:51 AM, tbone_ said:

Also make sure they use correct OEM sensors. Off brands will still throw the check engine code. Ask me how I know this.

Called them back today “you’re using oem sensors right?” ‘We can use oem, we’ve never had bad luck with after market’

”ok, let me rephrase, you will use oem sensors on this job, there’s a dealership down the road that has them for 10% more than you’re charging me”

[tbone_ 14158]

Trust me. Use OEM.

[bluto 4942]

Y’all only thought this was case closed… shop called me Saturday “fyi we cracked it open and got a direct look at the issue, it was rodent damage after all”

good news is insurance claim (less $500 deductible) is already in process and adjuster already got pics/estimate. Parts are on hand. 
 

bad news is wtf else did the fuckers gnaw on? Got half a mind to drive the thing straight from shop to dealership to trade it in before the next gremlin hits. Either way I’m grabbing a jug of peppermint/rodent repellant. 

[Deej 76915]

[VirginiaLonghorn 4781]

My Tacoma engine light popped on out of the blue.  Advance Auto did a free diagnostic that IDed the “Bank 2 O2 sensor” as the probable culprit.

So I took it to a trusted mechanic who discovered several vacuum hoses chewed thru by rodents.  O2 sensor was good.  $10 parts, $100 labor .. and a free tip.

He told me to spray all rubber hoses and components under the hood with peppermint oil.  So I bought the concentrate at Home Depot, mixed with water per the instrx, and sprayed that shit all over every rubber hose/connection I could see.  I respray monthly assuming it loses potency.

Another tip.  Generac maintenance guy told me mice and ants are tough on generator wiring and electronics.  He told me to set a bag of mothballs on the battery and to put a fresh bag in at each annual service.  I also put a bag on my John Deere mower’s battery after a rat jumped from under the hood when I opened it to  check the oil.

Anyhow, if rodents are the problem …

Edited November 15, 2022 by VirginiaLonghorn

[bluto 4942]

14 minutes ago, VirginiaLonghorn said:

My Tacoma engine light popped on out of the blue.  Advance Auto did a free diagnostic that IDed the “Bank 2 O2 sensor” as the probable culprit.

So I took it to a trusted mechanic who discovered several vacuum hoses chewed thru by rodents.  O2 sensor was good.  $10 parts, $100 labor .. and a free tip.

He told me to spray all rubber hoses and components under the hood with peppermint oil.  So I bought the concentrate at Home Depot, mixed with water per the instrx, and sprayed that shit all over every rubber hose/connection I could see.  I respray monthly assuming it loses potency.

Another tip.  Generac maintenance guy told me mice and ants are tough on generator wiring and electronics.  He told me to set a bag of mothballs on the battery and to put a fresh bag in at each annual service.  I also put a bag on my John Deere mower’s battery after a rat jumped from under the hood when I opened it to  check the oil.

Anyhow, if rodents are the problem …

Good shit and thx

[VirginiaLonghorn 4781]

What could possibly go wrong with hoses containing soy based oils?  Bet you’ll never see gnaw marks on your Valvoline oil jug …

https://nhoilundercoating.com/soy-based-wiring-how-to-help-keep-mice-out/

[tbone_ 14158]

My mother’s SO has had rabbits chew up the AC wiring on his new Rav 4 twice. $3500 repair. Twice.

Now he parks in the garage.

[bluto 4942]

Hopefully this chapter is closed, got the whip back yesterday. $2150 cost all in for knock sensors and harness replaced. Insurance tabbed it at 1950 so they cut me a check for that less deductible. Credit to progressive, they had the estimate finalized/approved Tuesday after a Saturday claim filed.

 

off to Home Depot for rodent repellant! 

[Homercles 10206]

If it were me I’d also get a case of beer and my pellet gun, spend a few hours in the garage every weekend under the guise of ‘sorry honey I gotta care of the rodents’.  Hell if a rat showed up I might offer him a beer, and if declines my hospitality I’d start blasting before hanging his body on the 4Runner as a warning to the others…be cool or get capped.