After many months of chasing a flashing CEL only during highway driving, I replaced my timing belt and foung the crank gear to be loose. Before doing the timing belt, my truck started consistantly. I have always thought it took a little longer to start than it should. Now that I have the new belt on, it seems to take longer to start, sometimes 3 to 4 seconds of turning over. The thing is, sometimes it starts with a touch of the starter. The guys at Toyota have no idea, but agree that it seems a little stubborn. Any ideas?

 

So what code did you have stored?

Crank postion sensor?

 

What's you timing set at?

 

I have no codes now. I did have misfire codes before the belt change. The crank bolt wasn't torqued properly which allowed my crank gear and woodruff key to get trashed. The timing was going berzerk. I installed a new crank gear, belt and water pump. Runs perfectly now, but starting problem remains and inconsistant. I have pulled the timing cover to verify everything still in time. I found some old posts about fuel pressure leak down. I think I'll look into this.

 

AFAIK the 5VZFE never had a distributor.

You talking about cam timing?

 

Fuel pressure regulator and fuel pressure at start up.

 

I wish these had a valve to connect a pressure gauge. The hardest part is determining whether the pressure leak down is the regulator or the check valve in the pump. I am going to try cycling the switch before the next few startups to see if my problem lies with fuel pressure. I understand the pump only runs for 2 seconds with ignition on and cycling is the only way to build pressure.

 

Maybe replace your starter contacts?

 

The starter is working just fine. The engine just doesn't start quickly.

 

sorry to be dense but following along-

your theory is that fuel delivery is inconsistent then?

if so- then is it not simple enough to install inline some type of gauge or ?

then watch it a few tries-say over a few days and various temperatures

does not seem to me you are questioning spark,

the starter cranks repeatedly and then finally catches is what I think you are describing.

 

The engine turns over very well. It just isn't starting up. I have new coils,plugs,wires,TPS,O2 sensor and have cleaned MAF sensor. I would suspect electrical if not for everything being replaced already. I am suspect of fuel delivery. The starter engages immediately and turns the engine over strongly. I will probably find a way to hook up a fuel pressure gauge and check for leak down.