Hard to start on hot day, please help

Hello everybody, I'm a newbie, got a big problem. Sorry for the quick intro this truck has me steaming . I have a 1996 Taco 2.4 Runs great, except doesn't want to start 10-15 min. after i shut it off on a hot day like today (100 degrees in socal). This has been going on ever since i bought it 2 years ago and only on hot days after its been on for a while, come back 5 min. starts fine, come back 10-15 won't start cranks every time though, If I wait for 10 min after that, it has started. I've checked the fuel pump before good pressure, i have spark. AND it runs and starts great on lower temp days.
Appreciate any help.
pilladose

 

Your starter is overheating when driving; probally from exhaust heat and ambient temp....I have a 1991 V6 did the exact same thing....put a heat shield on the starter or heat wrap and that should fix you right up.

 

Thanks for the reply, I already replaced the starter, the solenoid gave out with the heat. Now it cranks over fine just won't run for about 10-15 min(hot day) What I'm figuring out now is after running around i have to let it sit for about 20 min. then it will start up. Any ideas. Thanks

 

Yeah....replacing the starter wont fix the heat issue...you need a heat shield. You can buy small heat reflective blankets at auto performance stores. This will stop the heat from the engine from being absorbed into the starter.

 

...or you can find the source of the excessive heat and see if you can stop it (exhaust leaks are a particular heat problem that has other adverse effects).

 

Was wondering if the heat shield idea worked for you?

I have the exact same thing happen on my 95.5 on warm days.

One thing that I do that seems to help is to unscrew the gas cap and let the pressure out of the tank. Seems to start a lot quicker after that.

 

Although vapor lock is not supposed to happen with fuel injection, I'm not totally convinced. I had the problem of turning over fine, seeming to fire, but not starting with my 2000. Happened only rarely on hot days here in CT......Black truck also sucked up the heat.

 

when engine will not start when hot !check air temp sensor on air filter box, sensor is on passenger side, with wire going to it. (cone shape push in)
disconnect wire to sensor, if engine starts sensor is bad, reset check engine light by disconnect and reconnect battery.
hope this helps-


found problem !!! took to dealer !! said i needed new injecters ! truck has only 5300k on it, here is what i did is run three tanks of gas with a good fuel injecter cleaner through it , and now it starts right up after driving!!!!!! and stopping and sitting for 15 to 30 minutes in 100 + degree weather in tucson ariz.

 

Bullwhip-

Do you think a bad temp sensor would also cause a P0171 error (System too Lean (Fuel Trim))? I keep ignoring the error code because most people seem to think its the MAF sensor. I only drive the truck once a month or so and I really don't want to spend $300 on a new MAF (I'm hoping a temp sensor is cheaper?).

 

bad temp sensor "could" be the culprit. you can always pull the sensor out carefully and clean it with some electronics cleaner and clean the connection as well....try that first. as well...the maf can be cleaned, but you could also have a bad o2 sensor.

 

i never got any code at all !!!
what i found was dirty injecters, three tanks of gas with a good fuel injecter cleaner in each one cured it !! starts right up after sitting in 100 + weather for 15 to 30 min. in tucson,
the dealer said it was starting before, after i disconnected the air temp sensor, was because it was resetting the computer,
good luck
hope this is a little help

 

Just stumbled on this thread. I too have been dealing with this hard start problem for several years now. Typical symptoms. I replaced the coil a few days ago with the Autozone clone. No help. Even started to miss a bit during acceleration. Distributor cap and bug yesterday. No help. Put a BG injector cleaner in new tank of gas about 200 miles ago. No improvement. Cleaned injectors today with NAPA Pro injector cleaning kit directly connected to fuel rail. Will give it a test tomorrow.

 

No luck with the injection cleaner. Took back the faulty coil and installed old coil. No more engine miss. Bought a can of starter fluid. Warmed up engine and shut it down for 10 minutes. Sprayed starter fluid into intake while cranking. No fire whatsoever. Just cranked and cranked. Observed smoke coming from tailpipe. I believe that would eliminate the fuel as the culprit. Will address the electrical system next.