Hard to start 3VZE v6, esp when hot
12-26-2006, 08:22 AM
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Hard to start 3VZE v6, esp when hot
Hey kids,
I have a 1992 xtra cab 4WD truck w/ 152.6k on it. Recently it's been a bit hard to start, and after a tuneup it got WORSE! Usually, it will start on the first try, but if i can't get it to go then, it has trouble starting on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th etc try. It did have a low lumpy idle at times but my friend told me that's probably due to low coolant level, and coolant not getting into the air preheating throttle body, or some actuator on the TB. He was right, coolant was a bit low. I recently ran 2 cans of AMSoil engine foam through the intake to clean out the intake and knock carbon off the valves if present. I went to have my 1st emissions test a couple weeks ago and the guy said, "no test, see visible smoke"
now it doesn't smoke anymore, but it doesn't like to start either! When i add some starter fluid, it'll fire right up. I replaced the plugs, cap, and rotor last week as well. Plugs looked to be the right color when I pulled them. I will check the fuel filter today since it's been a while since I replaced it, but it still has plenty of grunt once started. I also need to check the ignition timing i think since I have only ever adjusted it maybe once and i got the truck w/ 89k in 2001. Also, my friend said that it not starting when hot was the same trouble he had on his 4runner, a bad ignitor (mounted on the coil.) He said they're expensive as hell from the dealer, but still like $75 used.
Anyone have any suggestions as to where to start? I put a can of Techron injector cleaner in a full tank of gas, but it's only gone like 30 miles so far, so it hasn't had time to work yet.
I did listen to the left bank injectors with a socket extension, and all of them seem to be clicking away and not stuck open or shut.
My mileage isn't the greatest, of course that engine seems a bit inefficient from the factory, but I'd be lucky to get 250 miles out of a tank right now.
Thanks
I have a 1992 xtra cab 4WD truck w/ 152.6k on it. Recently it's been a bit hard to start, and after a tuneup it got WORSE! Usually, it will start on the first try, but if i can't get it to go then, it has trouble starting on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th etc try. It did have a low lumpy idle at times but my friend told me that's probably due to low coolant level, and coolant not getting into the air preheating throttle body, or some actuator on the TB. He was right, coolant was a bit low. I recently ran 2 cans of AMSoil engine foam through the intake to clean out the intake and knock carbon off the valves if present. I went to have my 1st emissions test a couple weeks ago and the guy said, "no test, see visible smoke"
now it doesn't smoke anymore, but it doesn't like to start either! When i add some starter fluid, it'll fire right up. I replaced the plugs, cap, and rotor last week as well. Plugs looked to be the right color when I pulled them. I will check the fuel filter today since it's been a while since I replaced it, but it still has plenty of grunt once started. I also need to check the ignition timing i think since I have only ever adjusted it maybe once and i got the truck w/ 89k in 2001. Also, my friend said that it not starting when hot was the same trouble he had on his 4runner, a bad ignitor (mounted on the coil.) He said they're expensive as hell from the dealer, but still like $75 used.
Anyone have any suggestions as to where to start? I put a can of Techron injector cleaner in a full tank of gas, but it's only gone like 30 miles so far, so it hasn't had time to work yet.
I did listen to the left bank injectors with a socket extension, and all of them seem to be clicking away and not stuck open or shut.
My mileage isn't the greatest, of course that engine seems a bit inefficient from the factory, but I'd be lucky to get 250 miles out of a tank right now.
Thanks
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