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01 taco v6 will not start

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by RiceBandit, Apr 9, 2012.

  1. Apr 9, 2012 at 8:09 PM
    #1
    RiceBandit

    RiceBandit [OP] Stay Humble.. Hustle Hard..

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    We have a 2001 taco v6 4wd automatic with 89,xxx miles. One day, I started it up and backed it out the garage and it felt like it was mis-firing but there were no CEL. Drove it back in the garage and now it wouldn't start. It crank/turn over, but doesn't start. Found out the water pump was leaking and cause the timing belt to slip and screw up the timing. Installed new timing belt, water pump and re-timed it and it still doesn't start. Check all the compression and they are good, spark is good. Now to the weird part, before I installed the new plugs, the plugs would get soaked in fuel after cranking it a few times. With the new plugs, you can smell the fuel but it is dry to the touch. Pretty much ran out of ideas, and before I send it off to the dealership, just wanted to see if there any tests I should do or "things" I should check. Thanks.
     
  2. Apr 10, 2012 at 10:13 AM
    #2
    RattleTractor

    RattleTractor Lube: It's the key to penetration.

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    Well even if the timing was royally messed up by that, it is a non-interference engine so there shouldn't be any permanent engine damage. I would start by resetting the ECU by disconnecting the battery for >10 minutes.

    If you timed it yourself, I would double check it. If the engine cycles aren't lining up right, you may have issues with the valves triggering at appropriate times. The fuel:air ratios are particularly sensitive, and ignition could be inhibited by a lack of oxygen in the cylinder.

    Otherwise, just the usual things I guess (correct plug gaps, reliable spark, etc.).

    Sorry I can't be of more help but that is a strange problem. Keep us posted on progress and solutions. :popcorn:
     
  3. Apr 10, 2012 at 10:19 AM
    #3
    SnowroxKT

    SnowroxKT Well-Known Member

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    or the really simple, does it have gas? Stupid question but sometimes overlooked...
     
  4. Apr 10, 2012 at 10:25 AM
    #4
    RattleTractor

    RattleTractor Lube: It's the key to penetration.

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    OP said the plugs were coated and the cylinder smelled like petrol, so I didn't address that. It's a possibility though, but the fuel system is just a PITA to deal with.
     
  5. Apr 10, 2012 at 11:00 AM
    #5
    TheGrinch

    TheGrinch Cheese Head.

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    X2 sometimes it's the simplist thing. I had a buddy that had his fuel gauge get stuck so he didn't know it was out an spent hours trying to figure it out.
     
  6. Apr 10, 2012 at 12:26 PM
    #6
    valon5150

    valon5150 Well-Known Member

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    I'm stumped sorry I can't help. My one suggestion though would be not to take it to lithia, maybe look around at some of the smaller shops in redding for one that has a guy with a tacoma or a good amount of knowledge on them. I don't know any shops here in Redding cause I haven't lived here long and I also do all my own work. I'm usually skeptical of dealerships, have a friend at one who is a good mechanic. But he is one of few IMO.

    One place I know of with a mechanic that knows tacomas is All Wheel Alignment off Oasis. They do a lot of stuff besides alignments, not sure if they can help you, but the guy that works there and owns a tacoma seems to know what he is talking about from the couple times I've bs'd with him.

    You may try posting on TTORA as well. A LOT of tech savy guys on that forum, some of them are on here but some aren't.
     
  7. Apr 10, 2012 at 12:37 PM
    #7
    brian

    brian Another Traitor

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    Are first gens coil packs? You got gas... so that shouldn't be the issue. Basic troubleshooting.... what controls the coil packs? :)
     
  8. Apr 10, 2012 at 12:37 PM
    #8
    tacobo670

    tacobo670 if you have to ask, u can't afford it

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    Ya, make sure the belt was installed correctly. Check timing marks, especially on crank sprocket, may have slipped a tooth off wen installing. Check Rh bank to LH bank - belt is also directional, meaning one way facing towards outside, towards radiator. I installed backwards once on a v6 highlander, didn't run rite.
    If coil packs or plugs r bad, u should most likely get CEL on for misfire
     
  9. Apr 10, 2012 at 7:16 PM
    #9
    RiceBandit

    RiceBandit [OP] Stay Humble.. Hustle Hard..

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    Thanks for the responses.


    We timed it using the timing marks on both cam and crank shaft. ECU has been reset, the plugs are new from the dealer (dual prong plugs), and sparks are good. Its okay, and yeah I'll keep ya posted about this situation.


    Yes. Disconnected the fuel leading up to the inlet side of the fuel filter and fuel was streaming out.

    Yes, it does. When it first didn't start, we though it was a bad gas but ended up being the timing was off. (we did a compression test and traced a coolant leak to the water pump)

    Only reason we are resulting to taking it to lithia is, my brother who is a master tech/smog tech at an independent shop also ran out of tests to do. I did sign up on TTORA but haven't been approve by the admins yet. Lol. Thanks though.

    Yes and no. Passenger side has the coil pack, while the drive side has the wires running from the coil. Thing is, the plugs are getting sparks.

    Yeah, everything was lined up correctly. Also did a compression test and all 6 cyl was fine. No CEL, but we hooked up a snap-on mt2500 and everything seems fine. Did a few simple test (i.e. disconnect TPS, MAF, etc) to make sure the ECU was functioning properly.
     
  10. Apr 10, 2012 at 8:33 PM
    #10
    valon5150

    valon5150 Well-Known Member

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    Good luck. Love my taco but sometimes it is the biggest headache in the world, but it is always worth it when they are runnin smooth again :D
     
  11. Apr 10, 2012 at 11:13 PM
    #11
    RiceBandit

    RiceBandit [OP] Stay Humble.. Hustle Hard..

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    Thanks. I agree. It ran great until recently. We had it since it was a new born. Haven't gave us a problem until recently.
     
  12. Apr 11, 2012 at 9:22 AM
    #12
    brian

    brian Another Traitor

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    That's a strange one. I hate to jump to conclusions but it really sounds like an ecu. You say you're getting spark on one side but nothing on the drivers bank... and from what it sounds you've done everything to check the timing. Has it not even sputtered and fired?

    Sounds stupid but have you pulled the battery for an hour or two to reset? Look underneath the dash around the kick panel for broken wires that you may have kicked. I'm not a mechanic by any means...but I consider myself a hell of a troubleshooter
     
  13. Apr 11, 2012 at 9:23 AM
    #13
    brian

    brian Another Traitor

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    Also check EVRRY fuse under the hood and inside the cab. Don't trust them just because they look good... put a meter on them.
     
  14. Apr 11, 2012 at 4:47 PM
    #14
    hossmaster

    hossmaster Well-Known Member

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    are you certain that one or both of your cams are not 180 out? They like to spin over when they are just about lined up.
     
  15. Apr 12, 2012 at 12:23 PM
    #15
    RiceBandit

    RiceBandit [OP] Stay Humble.. Hustle Hard..

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    I'm not sure. But if they are out 180 degrees, would it still have compression?
     
  16. Apr 12, 2012 at 10:47 PM
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    brian

    brian Another Traitor

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    :popcorn:

    Hard to picture but I'd imagine at least at one point you could.
     
  17. Apr 13, 2012 at 7:25 AM
    #17
    RiceBandit

    RiceBandit [OP] Stay Humble.. Hustle Hard..

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    We still have compression, that why I figured the timing should be good.
     
  18. Apr 13, 2012 at 8:05 AM
    #18
    StAndrew

    StAndrew Wait for it...

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    My timing belts get wet all the time (rain, offroading), I dont think the timing was screwed up unless you got oil on them...

    I know you said you get a spark but I would double check that (check your distributor cap and plug wires). Make sure your plugs are correctly aligned with your distributor after checking.
     
  19. Apr 14, 2012 at 7:55 AM
    #19
    RiceBandit

    RiceBandit [OP] Stay Humble.. Hustle Hard..

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    It doesn't have a distributor or a cap.
     
  20. Apr 15, 2012 at 8:47 PM
    #20
    RiceBandit

    RiceBandit [OP] Stay Humble.. Hustle Hard..

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    Thanks for the reply. Had some family members come by to double check our work and found out the timing on the crankshaft was off a few tooth. Lesson learned; just because all the timing marks are lined up, it doesn't necessarily mean they are. Haha..
     

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