Seeking Advice on '09 Toyota Tundra With Engine Problems: Black Smoke, Stalling, and Jerking Motion

Hey! I drive an '07 Toyota FJ Cruiser, so fairly close to your truck. Now, let me preface this by saying I am no mechanic, but I have toyed around with my car a bit here and there. I had a similar problem a while back. Same symptoms - black smoke, stalling, jerky acceleration. Turned out it was something called an idle control valve. This valve controls the idle speed of your engine when you aren't giving it any gas, and a malfunction can cause all kinds of problems. Took it to my local workshop. They found that a cable/plug on the idle control valve was defective. It cost me about 155€ to get it fixed, and ever since, the car has been running smoothly. Now, I'm not guaranteeing this is your issue. It could be several other things, but it's a good place to start. Could you share more about the vehicle's history, maintenance and mileage? It could help narrow down possibilities. And of course, having a pro look it over wouldn't hurt. Hope this helps and good luck!

Thanks for that swift response! I wasn't expecting to hear so soon, but it is so helpful. My old girl, she's clocking at 189,514 KM now. Last serviced around three months back. Fairly regular maintenance - oil changes, regular brake pad replacements, tyre rotation and balance checks. Nothing major in terms of repair work except for a transmission replacement about two years ago. I suppose I'll take your advice and start by looking at the idle control valve and then see if I need a proper mechanic to diagnose the other possibilities. Cost is a concern, but can’t really put a price on safety, eh? Again, thanks for the initial direction, really appreciate it!

No worries at all! Always glad to help a fellow Toyota owner. Seems like your truck's been through a lot, but with regular maintenance like you've been doing, I wouldn't rule it out just yet. It could very well be the idle control valve given the symptoms. But considering your last major repair being a transmission replacement, I'd suggest looking into that area too. Sometimes, old repairs can lead to new problems if not done correctly. And yeah you hit the nail right on the head about the cost. Safety should always be a priority. It’s peace of mind knowing your vehicle won't let you down, especially on a big trip or in the middle of traffic. Before you shell out for a mechanic, you can try checking the cable/plug on the idle control valve yourself to start with. Hit up YouTube or car forums, usually they've got step-by-step guides on how to check for errors in parts like this - might save you a few bucks. Keep us updated on what you find out, would love to hear what ultimately fixes her up. Good luck and let me know if you need anything else! Cheers!

Hey, huge thanks for the comprehensive response. Really appreciate the advice. The point about checking the transmission really makes sense, and it's something I probably wouldn't have thought about, to be honest. Will do what you suggested, start doing my homework tonight itself on how to check the idle control valve and its cable/plug, saves me a trip to the mechanic if it's something I can handle. You are spot on about the safety aspect too. Peace of mind definitely trumps the cost. After all, what good is a truck if it can't take me where I want to go, right? Big thanks again for your insight and help, this conversation means a lot. I promise to keep you folks posted on what happens next. Till then, ride safe, and let's keep those engines running smooth! Cheers!