2000 Toyota 4RUNNER Engine cooling Problems

“Our 2000 Toyota 4runner, on a recent road trip, had the engine light come on while we were in rural kansas. Upon having it towed to the nearest Toyota dealership, we were told it had engine sludge, and that we needed, at the least, a rebuild of our engine, and at most a new engine. The car has been well-maintained, and prior to this incident had run fine. Oil had been changed on a regular basis, and the vehicle had sufficient oil, and clean-looking oil, as it had always had.”

“On a sunday afternoon during last summer, I was driving my 2000 Toyota 4runner with my wife and 9-yr old daughter at the back seat. I had the car on cruise control at about 65/70 MPH. Before moving over to my destination off ramp, I tried to cancel the cruise control but to my horror it was not canceling. The harder I pressed the brake, the faster the car tried to move forward/accelerating. I had to take and somehow managed a immediate left on a t junction with traffic light control. I was almost going to hit the car in front running at a speed appropriate for a busy city street. …”

“I pulled onto the highway and heard a loud noise, like someone threw a wrench into my engine. All my dash lights came on, and I lost all power. I pulled over to the side of the road where my husband checked under the hood to find what appeared to be a dark liquid all over the bottom of the engine, axles, and front chunk. We were towed home, where he found a piece of the engine side bell housing lying in the skid plate. Now my car is lawn art and I'm searching for a recall. It has had the oil changed about every three months and is not mistreated. …”

“A control valve within the radiator burst, causing engine coolant to get into the transmission and seize it. Mechanic diagnosed the problem. Indicated that transmission was to be removed, system flushed, new radiator installed, transmission either rebuilt or replaced and for the whole system to be road tested. Approximate costs vary from $1700.00 to over $3000.00.”

“Diagnosed with engine sludge. Still has milage left on warranty. Denied warranty because Toyota said I either didn't change oil or used low grade of oil quality.”