8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$580
Average Mileage:
163,000 miles
Total Complaints:
1 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (1 reports)
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problem #1

Sep 152010

Sequoia SR5 V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 163,000 miles

Sorry to say, once again and issue that is common for Sequoia and it doesn't matter what year or the mileage. Check engine light comes on. Got a diagnostic read done and got 2 codes. Both emmissions related, one of which is just a code that basically says there is a problem with the emissions system. The other code is just slightly more specific but when it comes to the emmissions system it is not nearly specific enough. Emmissions systems are not complicated but they also don't consist of just a couple parts. This literally is finding the bad needle in a pile of needles. Like I said the first code is a general emmissions problem code so that doesn't tell you anything, the second code gives you the ballpark. I equate it to someone saying (there's a problem with the baseball field and it's somewhere in the infield). Well that doesn't really pin it down for me and it doesn't really tell me where to start.

After looking through the repair manual and reading a number of fourms on this issue (like I said it's common), I wasn't about to start randomly replacing parts and hoses. That would be a huge cost and a waist of time. This also occurred a few months prior to getting my yearly car inspection. If you live in a state/county where emissions is part of the inspection YOU WILL FAIL! There are a number of different tests that a person can do themselves to TRY to figure out the problem but there are others where you need special equipment. Emissions systems have alot to do with pressurization of different parts at certain times and the release of that pressure at other times. Basically preventing the fuel fumes, exhaust fumes from going through the car. Different parts open and close at different times to capture these emissions and release them later.

Had no choice but to let the mechanic who failed the inspection proceed with their own inspection, using their equipment to see if they could find out the problem. After sitting there for 4 hours they came up with a faulty Evap VSV and a possible faulty charcoal canister. In my case the Evap VSV was replaced, I then had to test the car out for a minimum of 50 miles (drive it around). This mileage test had to be done prior to the expiration (14 or 15 days) from date of first inspection so that you don't have to pay for another inspection. Did this and took it back in, retested and it passed inspection. Fortunately I didn't have to replace the charcoal canister as that isn't cheap and saying that the charcoal canister may be faulty doesn't necessarily mean the whole piece is faulty. There are various parts that make up the whole charcoal system and any one of those pieces can be the bad part and be replaced for alot less.

Now, a few months later, GUESS what. Check engine light came on and got the same codes. Already replaced one part so now I've got to figure out which part of the charcoal canister system is bad and replace that.

It's a never ending loop of emissions crap and a REAL pain in the butt to deal with. Guaranteed the older your Sequoia the greater the chance of there being an emissions problem. I've owned the car since it was brand new and I've replace each of the 4 O2 sensors twice. Now I have these problems. The emissions system on the Sequoia, especially the older models is a definite flaw in design! I've spent $575 already on this issue.

- Marc S., Katy, TX, US