Having power issues going uphill

Hello!

I'm brand new to this and I am in desperate need of help! I have a 2008 Toyota Tacoma, extended cab. Two weeks ago I had a complete tune up done to my truck. It ran great and had the power it once did. Then, today I noticed that it is sluggish going uphill again. Struggling more than it did before my tune up. My truck has 273,776 miles on it. I have had this truck for more that 4 years. I've never had major issues with this truck. To this day I have not replaced my fuel pump or my alternator. Could this be one of the issues? My auto mechanic told me if it continues to power issues it could be time for a new engine. I honestly think my engine is fine. I'm just trying to find the culprit that is making it have power issues. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

Are there any codes? Have you done a leak down/compression test? Fuel filter change? When were the spark plugs and air filter last changed? What about fuel system cleaner? Any misfires?

Your alternator runs your electrical system and charges the battery. If your alternator was out your battery would run the truck and you would pretty quickly kill the engine. The fuel pump would likely just plain cut out and you wouldn't be able to start the truck either.

273k is a lot even for the "bulletproof" 4.0L

 

No codes. I just had a complete tune up done 2 weeks ago, they changed spark plugs, air filter, put fuel system cleaner in it, cleaned my throttle body, cleaned the injectors and cleaned the MAF sensor. I don't believe that I have ever had a leak/down compression test done on my truck and I have never had the fuel filter changed. Do you know if the fuel filter is part of the fuel pump?


I know it has a pile of miles on it. I plan on keeping it for as long as I can. It's much better than my last truck. I had reduced power issues with that one and it was an absolute nightmare. I wonder if my catalytic converter might be getting to a point where it's starting to clog up. It's frustrating, but I'm hoping I'll get some answers. Thank you!

 

I believe the fuel filter is a separate component in your particular year and is a normal maintenance item so it is probably the place I'd start. They're cheap anyway. But don't quote me on the filter location.

Also, welcome to TW!

 

Okay, I will look into that. Thank you so much!

 

Welcome to the forum
Truck ran fine 2 weeks ago
Have the mechanic take a look at it would be my opinion. He may have missed putting something back.

 

Thank you! Okay, I'll have my mechanic take a look at it.

 

The cat could be an issue as well but generally that will throw a code of some sort if you aren't exhibiting any other issues on top of that.

 

About 2 years ago I some work done to my muffler and they had to tighten up something that was rattling too. I had asked if my cat could be clogged and the guy said he didn't think so but there could be that possibility too. After I had that work done it ran great. Haven't had any issues until up to this point. Oh, I forgot to make mention that when I had my truck in the shop for a tune up they also did a diagnostic test. No codes came up.

 

I would definitely check the voltage at the coils to make sure they getting the proper amount
What did you use to clean your throttlebody and your MAF

 

MAF's are calibrated to work a certain way. Eventually, they lose that calibration and despite being clean will not read the correct airflow and feed the PCM lean info, you may want to have this rig properly diagnosed considering the amount of miles you have. Given you have what you have, it could LITERALLY be anything.

While you are at it, have whatever shop who is going to diagnose this thing for you a look over your air fuel ratio sensors.

There is no fuel filter on this vehicle. If you are having a "fuel filter" issue then you will have to drop the fuel tank and replace the strainer which attaches onto the fuel pump pickup. Diagnosing a lack of fuel pressure going up hills will require a fuel pressure gauge and going for a drive going up a hill which will cause a lack of pressure, if the pressure drops as you go up those hills, there's your issue. If it does not then the issue is either sensor or engine related, but not fuel supply related.

Good luck.

 

The last time I changed my plugs I unknowingly cracked one and it drove fine on the way to work, on the way back it started missing. Just throwing that out there.

 

I will have to ask my mechanic what he used to clean the MAF and throttle body.

Thank y'all so much for all of the information and things I need to try. I hope to have this figured out as quickly as possible.

 

What brand of plugs did he use? Air Filter replaced?

 

I believe it was the NGK iridium spark plugs and the air filter was replaced.

 

Some guy's have made comments about their trucks running a little off on iridium plugs. Mmm most seem to prefer denso copper or ngk which were stock on the truck. Good luck

 

Disconnect & reconnecting the battery will cause it to lose some sort of memory regarding the tune. Once reconnected you just drive and it relearns. This might solve your issue. Scrub the terminals and posts with a battery brush while it’s disconnected.

If this problem has never happened before maybe you simply got a bad batch of gas.

For intank fuel system cleaner I like jectron. It’s hard to find. Napa sometimes has it. Amazon always has it.

 

I would second this if it was running well prior to the plug change.

 

not sure why U had a ‘ complete ‘ tune up

were there ANY issues prior to tune up

exactly what was tuned up/replaced ??

UNlikely the alternator = sluggish

be fore tear down or replacement engien

a cold compression test..........each cylinder notated

cold leak down test

 

I'll second/third the thought that the iridium plugs could be your issue.