redbayredneck

Ok so heres my situation:

A couple weeks ago, my truck started taking longer to start (have to crank on it for 30-45 seconds before it starts) but only when the motor is cold. Once started, it idles and drives fine. Starts easy when the motor is hot. I have cleaned the air filter, changed the spark plugs, and plug wires attempting to fix the problem to no avail.

I talked to a mechanic buddy of mine, and he said it could either be a filter (which I doubt because I have zero issues while its running, never stumbles), or it could be that the pump is old and is letting fuel drain back into the tank when it sits for a while and has to reprime when cold starting the truck.

I did notice when I changed the plugs, that it is running lean if that makes a difference. (also noticed that its not burning the oil its losing, just a leak to hunt down a little bit of good news.)

Any ideas from yotatech as to what could be causing my issues?

Terrys87

iTrader: (1)

I would run a resistance check on your Cold Start Timing Switch and even pull it out and giving it a good cleaning. I see you are in NW Florida, have your tempertures been getting down in the 40's or so lately?

If you do and I agree with you at this time that I dont feel it is your fuel pump, check on ebay. You can get some great quality fuel pumps for about $30. I have used several of them on different trucks. Parts store is $150ish and Toyota is about $300 if I recall right.

If you do start going thru your fuel system, I would not just check the fuel filter, but check the fuel lines as well for good flow. I have seen alot of lines clogged. But tighr now I feel it is most likely your CST switch.

redbayredneck

Thanks for the info, time to pull out the Service manual and figure out where the switch is. I will let ya'll know the results.

Our temps here have been fluctuating from freezing cold to the low 70's. The different temps don't seem to be making a difference. The only difference is hot engine vs. sat for a few hours cold engine.

Terrys87

iTrader: (1)

The CSI Switch is the brown plug to the left of the green plug under Plenum and Thermostat housing. If you have a Haynes, pg 4-10 has some checks. See if you got 30-90 ohms. It does vary with tempertures, but if you have anything else different, I would suspect it. It would be the quickest check.

redbayredneck

Found the switch, pulled the plug and cleaned it. Going to pull the switch and clean it soon. Just want to make sure of how to get it out, don't want to break anything. I don't have a tester to test it with... but I can see that the more I work on the truck, the more I will need a tester for everything lol.

Stetson_md

My 84 22r is doing what sounds like the same thing but my buddy said it was cause my gas tank vent hose was blocked off. Let us know how it turns out

85Hilux

electric fuel pumps prime very very quickly, usually in a matter of seconds, If it runs fine all other times the fuel pump is the last thing I would suspect. I would look at the cold start system as mentioned above.

and to the guy above you aren't supposed to block the gas tank vent hose, thats why its called a vent hose, and yes that causes fuel starvation issues due to pressure build up in the tank when sitting for long periods of time or on very hot days. This line is supossed to be vented either through your charcoal canister to the engine via vsv's, or some just route it under the fender with a fuel filter inline to help the smell/vapors escaping. Blocking it off is not recommended and is actually dangerous.

redbayredneck

Figured it out. Turns out my battery was going bad (only 175CCA) Put a new one in and it fires right up now

redbayredneck

...and, I was wrong.
It partially fixed the problem, but it still takes longer than it should to start.
I'm gonna try some B12 Chemtool next. It seemed to help the issue a little bit before the battery conked out on me.

redbayredneck

More info!!!

Got desperate for gas this weekend and had to put E-10 gas in the truck (Even though the manual says its ok, I try to avoid it)... anyway, Since I put the Ethanol-gas in my truck, my cold starting issue is gone. Any idea why a truck might run better on E-10?

redbayredneck

I'm gonna just assume something was clogged and the ethanol in the E-10 unclogged it... unless someone else has a better explanation...

ojm3

Hey i admit it myself, every 5,000 miles ill let my truck get real low on gas. Then ill put 2-3 gallons on 110 leaded race fuel in. After this ill go ahead and hit these pretty decent sized hills in my area, ill hit them in second, and third gear at high RPM's...Bitch runs clean lol