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Problems with Toyota 4Runner petrol engine 2015: Black smoke and uneven engine running

Hey guys, I have a problem with my Toyota 4Runner gasoline engine, year 2015. Recently, my car has been emitting black smoke from the exhaust and the engine is running rough. It jerks when accelerating, has less power, just stalls and has a blatant consumption. It even stuttered when idling. Check Engine light is also on and the exhaust smells pretty strong. I think there might be something wrong with the injection system. Has anyone ever had a similar problem or know what could be wrong and how to fix it? Would appreciate any advice and experience. Thanks in advance!

(Translated from German)

4 comment(s)

Hey, I had a similar problem with my Toyota Highlander, year 2013, so very similar model. I have a little experience with cars, but I'm not an expert. I've had this problem before and it turned out to be the engine control unit. It was faulty and had to be replaced in my garage. It cost me a whole 1000 euros, but after that the car ran perfectly again. I could help you better if you could give me more detailed information about your vehicle. Have you carried out any repairs or had someone look over it? Do you have any fault codes from the on-board computer? It might also be useful to know the exact mileage and the last maintenance work. There are a number of things you can check.

(Translated from German)

Hey, thanks for your quick reply. So at the last service 3000 KM ago, all the filters were replaced and the oil changed. I really only have 241218 KM on it at the moment. Unfortunately, I don't have any error codes. I really don't know my way around and am just going by intuition. Maybe I should really have the control unit checked, thanks for the tip!

(Translated from German)

Hey, no problem, always happy to help! Your 4Runner has already run a lot, so a few things could indeed have been affected. With problems like you describe, the ECU (engine control unit) could be to blame, as was the case with my Highlander back then. But it could also be that the mass airflow sensor, the spark plugs or the ignition coils have a shot. Even the catalytic converter could be clogged, which would explain the strong exhaust smell. If I were you, I would first go to an independent garage (they are often cheaper than authorized dealers) and have the fault memory read out there. This is the easiest way to find out where the problem lies and shouldn't be too expensive. If you're lucky, it's only a minor issue and your 4Runner will be back on the road in no time. But be sure to get it checked out, because if you continue to drive with it, you could seriously damage your engine. And that can be really expensive! Good luck!

(Translated from German)

Hey, thanks again for the advice! I made an appointment today at the independent garage to have the fault memory read out. I really hope it's just a minor issue. I want to drive my 4Runner for a long time to come, it's been through so much with me. I'll let you know as soon as I know more. Thanks again!

(Translated from German)

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