Looking for Opinions on 96 Limited 4 Runner

[Rlegendre]

Hey all, have a situation with wifes 96 4 Runner, the boring back story is she put gas in it from a gas station that had been closed for an extended period. New owners took over opened pumps up, she fills up and says later she noticed a little hesitation, almost like when plugs are bad or a little poor fuel in tank.

Well, next morning it would not start, would crank but not start. Towed it to Toyota and they told us motor is shot you need a new one. I coulnt even tell you exactly what they said was wrong because they kept explaining it way above our heads. I do know there is alot of oil in air filter, they did get it to start and I did drive it back home, which was scary sounded like it weas gonna blow up, and stalled out on me 4 times ( 11 miles drive). The noise sounds are this god awful banging and stuff.

Engine had 285,000 so I guess we cant complain, wife seems to the think the gas caused all this, which I just dont believe even if it was old and what not cant see it doing all this.

My big question is trying to value this thing is killing me, and I know value is what someone is willing to pay for something. It is actually in what I would call at minimum, good condition over all except of course the engine. We JUST put new tires around for 750.00 , one of the mechanics at toyota offered 500 which I will let it sit and rot before selling it that low. His offer also made me question just how bad off the engine really is. Did they over do it to try to get a deal on a car they can flip....who knows...

Any suggestions on a fair starting point on asking price? I have thought about swapping tires out but with it dead it would be a big pain.

Its your typical Limited 4 runner, tow package, sunroof, leather, 4 wheel drive, all that good stuff...

Anyway, thanks to those that read this long rambling babble and any opinions anyone may have.

[kball]

If the truck ran fine before that "gas station" incident, I'd be inclined to think your wife is right. Maybe when she filled up it put a bunch of junk in the tank and the filter is clogged.

[zythr]

Originally Posted by kball

If the truck ran fine before that "gas station" incident, I'd be inclined to think your wife is right. Maybe when she filled up it put a bunch of junk in the tank and the filter is clogged.

...It would be hard, now, to prove it. The OP wants an opinion on how much would be a fair price to ask for the truck

[kball]

Originally Posted by zythr

...It would be hard, now, to prove it. The OP wants an opinion on how much would be a fair price to ask for the truck

If he changed the filter and it ran better, that would prove it...

A 96 with 285K... I wouldn't pay more than $3500 for it and it would have to be in good shape with no rust to even begin to interest me.

Really depends on where you are and how the market is for these trucks there. That is a lot of miles though.

[HATEnFATE]

I would try to replace the fuel filter also before I just up and sold the truck.

I'm trying to figure out how oil could get into the air filter? the PCV doesn't even go back to the A/F. Sounds fishy to me and if they were explaining things over your head, it sounds like they are trying to get money out of you. Sounds like scare tactics selling. You should know why you're spending the money.

[jetwhine]

Rlegendre,

The mech that offered you 500 for it is probably the same person that checked it out and knows that there is a simple fix for contaminated fuel. I would go as far as draining the fuel tank as well as changing the fuel filter as mention several times here and maybe put some good injector cleaner in the tank to help clean things out.
BG products makes a good cleaner called K44 which in my opinion is one of the best on the market. I also agree about the scar tactics. If the dealer thinks they can make some serious money they will try to get you to spend it. They will fix you rig after thousands are spent. I also think your wife is correct.