Ok I bought my new green 1997 4Runner, and I noticed that when I turned the key, the starter sounded awesome, but it would take about 2 seconds of holding the key over to get the motor to actually "turn over" on itself.

Usually I cars take about 1-2 "chugs" of the starter to turn over. Mine takes about 4-6, and it once it turns over, it sounds great. No weird surges like a vacuum leak or whatever. It just seems like its not getting enough fuel or air or something.

So I thought it needed a tuneup.
1) Changed Oil
2) Changed spark plugs with NGK Dual Electrode
3) New Air Filter
4) New PCV Valve
5) Cleaned Throttle Body

Truck SOUNDS better, but still takes too long to turn over.

What other components do you guys think I need to check/clean/adjust? Let me reiterate that the starter sounds strong and normal, and I don't think its the starter, alternator or electrical.

 

does it do this both cold and warm?

 

Yes forgot to mention that. It does not seem to be the IACV either. It happens no matter if its warm or cold. Good point.

 

happening to me too. has been for a year. even with brand new 880cca die hard platinum battery. i'm not thinking electrical, but i am leaning heavily toward the fuel filter. i'm at 155k, so it's "due"...

i'll also do all the cleaning necessary with maf/iacv, plugs/wires, tb. (haven't done them yet)

 

Ive also been experiencing long starts, but only when warm.

I've actually been looking forward to tearing apart the TB

 

honestly i know almost nothing about a 3.4. the old style IACV on my 86 22r-e gives me trouble on a daily basis. i'd check out the fuel system though and make sure it's flowing at proper pressure, if that's possible and if so then that can be ruled out as a cause

 

Maybe the PCV valve?

 

ect: If its warm starts casing problems, its the IACV. Clean it!

Brian2Sun: I replaced PCV valve

 

Sorry I missed that in your list, doh!

 

I would bet it is fuel related. I'd try to get a fuel pressure reading first, then go from there.

I sometimes can hear the fuel pump turn on before turning over the key to start. Depending on how your fuel lines look connecting to the fuel filter, you may want to change it after the pressure reading. I'd put a new one on regardless. There is a thread on how to take the pressure reading started by a member from Maine I think. Try the search engine. One thinkg I hate about the 4 runner is there is no schrader valve on the fuel rail. Also look at the pressure regulator.

If not fuel, then maybe a loose electrical connection such as a ground. Easier said than done I know. But if the problem occurs every time, I'd still start with fuel, with the culprit probably being the pump if I had to take one guess.

 

Well I'll just change the fuel filter regardless. It was simple on my 1996!

Wouldn't a fuel issue (as in not enough pressure) translate into poor acceleration and driveability?

 

Usually not if it is the pump. It is similar to jumping a battery. Once you have the starter turned over, everything else works just fine.

I think normal pressure is 38-44 psi for the 4 runner. This is about normal for most, but not all cars, trucks, and SUVs out there.

If the fuel pump is failing, it likely won't be giving enough pressure to turn the 4 runner over with one or two turns. Why? The pickup screen is the tank is clogged, other failing parts, who knows. In a Bronco I had bought used, from day one it took 4 seconds for the car to turn over until I changed out the pump in the tank. It turns out the pump had corroded internally and nothing but a new one was going to fix it. Once the fuel pump has pressurized, you are good to go until the 4 runner is turned off. Then the cycle repeats itself.

Change the fuel filter and see how long it takes for the pressure to build up before it turns over. Unless that is your silver bullet, I'd look to read the pressure of the fuel and go from there. I can't remember if there is a fuel pump relay under the hood, but you may want to test it as well.

 

Schweet thanks!

I think you can access the pump in the 4runner w/o dropping the tank, am I correct? I have to look that up. :/

 

Hmm... Thinking about it now, my throttle response isn't as good as my 96. I may need to look into the fuel filter... This truck wasn't maintained as well as I would have liked it to. The plugs I pulled out were stock plugs from the factory... :/

 

I do not know about the pump for the tank. I don't have my FSM with me, but here is the link for it: http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/

How did those plugs look when you pulled them? As long as none of them looked fouled, and they were original, or at least dealer changed at 60k, you can semi rule out a failing injector or pressure regualtor.

When I first got my 4 runner, I ran some BG 44k cleaner (good stuff BTW) in the tank right before I changed the oil. The cleaner must have clogged up the filter to a great degree for my A/T downshifts were much more sluggish until I changed out the filter. The gas from the old filter was black. A new fuel filter and I was good to go again. For $20+ and 1/2hr for DIY labor, why not?

 

Contacts on the starter, maybe?

 

I mis-spoke. Only when cold

 

Yeah so I bought a fuel filter today, and will change it. Even after another 2 seafoam treatments, and full tune up, its still doing the same thing. So hopefully that might help.

If not then I guess I'll test fuel pressure.

 

I'm pretty sure all 3.4's take a bit longer than most engines to start, mine does, esp in the cold.

 

Well my 1996 4runner (3.4L) started up after one "chug" from the starter. This one takes a few, and it feels like something is either gummed up, or something. Im hoping its not engine sludge or something :/