Hello,

Hope to get some help from the pros on this board, I have a 98 4runner SR5 and after 122K miles started having minor starting issue.

Turn the key, cranks, doesn't fully start, dies. I found that if I open the hood and turn the choke (opening the butterfly valve) a few times. then start it works fine. I've sprayed some choke cleaner down the shaft (engine off) and cleaned the choke... fixed the problem for about 2 months...then started all over again. Does anyone know what the problem might be? is there some kind of adjustment i need to make?

Had a friend who had this similar issue he said he threw a bottle of gumout through his gas and it helped. but i've heard from people that since my 4runner has never had fuel cleaner through it, that it is a bad idea to put it through now as it loosens up particles that can clog up other stuff. is this true?

Hope this isn't too basic for the board... really appreciate your input and advice so thanks in advance for taking the time.

 

Pulled any codes from the ECU yet?