I have a 1995 Tacoma with the 3.4 engine. I have an intermiten starting problem that seems like its worse on cold weather mornings. Sometimes it will start up after a couple of trys (key will turn and just click) then It might start up and sound like its running on half the cylinders and this morning it started up and sounded really bad and drove l ike it was runnin on 3 cylinders. There was also a abrasive metal sound comming from the engine when it was running half A$sed. This only happens every once in a while though..I brought it into a shop and they couldnt find anything worng with it by just looking it over....anyon ehave any ideas? thanks

 

<There was also an abrasive metal sound coming from the engine when it was running half ass...>

There may be an oil starvation issue at start-up. I would try running some sort of engine cleaner in the oil, flush it, then change the oil and filter. Metal on metal sounds are very, very bad.

Also, you may want to try a better shop, because obviously, there is something wrong with your truck.

Hopefully someone else will have some ideas...

 

Fuel injectors perhaps?