GorgeRunner

That's the one thing I don't have a problem with; it starts every time, even in the winter.
After it starts, well............

ninjabrainz

I had a similar problem w/ mine. I found a hole in back of the plastic, squarish shape elbow between the air intake to throttle body. Patched w/ thermal metal tape, over a year ago. Cranks like a champ ever since!

Marc

A friend had a problem not with starting but with running after it sat warm for a while, like yours.

His would start ok but for about a mile it would run funky. Like a 2-stroke dirt bike that was loaded up if you know what that means.

He replaced his coil and igniter and the problem went away.

We just figured it was a heat soak issue.

Stangmandan

I have had no problems with mine so far. I have only had the 4Runner for just over a year now. Rebuilt motor and everything else is new also. Mine starts up just fine everyday. Even when its a 110 outside and Ive been driving around in the heat.
I made sure I replaced or at least checked out everything before I put it all back together and so far so good. My good O'l 3VZE!
Probably a little too soon to be bragging about my motor. LOL
Knock-knock....on some wood!

TNRabbit

That would cause the EXACT condition he's talking about.

mmcpeck

I was thinking the cold start injector or timing switch, but the thing is that it starts PERFECT when both cold and hot, the problem is in between, when it's "warm".

I don't know, it's driving me nuts. It never doesn't start, it starts everytime, just starts hard when in that "warm" stage, anything after sitting 15-20 minutes.

I come out of work for lunch, it's been sitting for 4 hours and it starts like crap!! Cranks like hell and starts or cranks like hell and stumbles and then cleans it self up. Embarassing as hell when people see you trying to start your truck and it sounds like a friggin piece of crap.

I absolutely hate to take it in anywhere, but I really hate the way it starts like that. But like I said, this is my 3rd 3VZE and the same issue with all 3.

ninjabrainz......which part are you talking about in the intake? I will take a look around for any holes.

KrysToy

Had my truck 3 years, never one spot of starting trouble until I decided to weld 02 sensor solid into pipe(pretty sure I toasted it) now it does something quite similiar...

taikowaza

Have you done the big3 upgrade? I recommend it wholeheartedly, can't say enough about it.
Use bigger wires and replace the battery terminals, get nice clean connections. If you can swing it, have your alternator upgraded by Boyle's Future Tech. Pop in a remanufactured starter if it's shot (easy if you don't have headers, a pain if you do). You'll be up and running in no time- I always start on the first turn of the key ever since these changes!

nevermore1701

I've had mine for almost a year now, and it's always started 100% on the first try. Longest it's sat since I've had it is about 10 days.

Justinlhc

One thing I can say good about my 3.0 is it starts perfectly fine, everytime. I stalled that thing in the middle of a swamp earlier today and she fired right up with a check engine light (deep water) for a few seconds, then it went away and I haven't had a problem since.

sundog kid

My 3.0, with 299 000 km's on it, original, fire within milleseconds.

but it does make tapping noises...

keithdphan

check leaky injectors.

x-man

So does mine....

evade6317

The only time I ever had any starting issues was when my starter began to degrade and ultimately broke.

Man, that really is unfortunate that you've had 3 do this to you. Hope you find a fix.

Vanman

Don't want to jinx it...

Albert.G

same problem i'm having, starts half a crank when cold and warm but if it sits for like an hour its hard to start. I was thinkin it was the fuel filter, but it wasn't. so I'm going to change the cold start injector...see where it takes us

Lanman

I had a similar problem with starting when warm, it started weak and ran sluggish.

I found the distributor wire from the coil was burnt. Replaced wire and now it starts every time, first time.

I hope this helps ...

hjkmotor

mine used to do the same thing as well until i removed most of the stock intake system. all i have left is the airbox with maf and a straight pipe to throttlebody. none of those stupid extra 2 air boxes. i plugged the rest of the pipes. now mine starts everytime without even thinking about it.

MikeFu

Mine won't hardly start when its cold outside but starts like a champ when warm out

But it always starts with a little bit of cranking.

MaK92-4RnR

im in california. in winter when theres frost on the wind shield it starts just like it always has. the only time where it didn't start was when I went to the drive ins and didn't start my truck for 2 1/2 hours... needed a jump.