4.0 Tacoma crank but hard to start

Hi folks, it's me again, with my foolish questions. I've been looking arrounf the forum to find an answer to my problem with no success.

Something like a week ago, my 2006 4.0 M/T Taco started giving some problems while starting. It happens intermittently, when I try to start the engine it cranks but won't start up to a third or even a fourth try. I never touch the throttle until it starts. The when it starts, a great gas smell comes from the muffler.

Please tell me if this is a serious issue and what could be the reason.

Bye.....

 

how many miles on it?

 

whens the last time you changed spark plugs

 

It has 105000 miles and I changed the sparks on november 2012 since I installed the S/C kit

 

Too much fuel? sounds like its getting flooded to start, and then finally catching and dumping fuel like crazy

 

Yes, I think the same. Before last week everything was great

 

Sounds like it could be a leaky fuel injector (or more than one) bleeding fuel into the intake while its sitting and flooding the engine. Does it run well after it finally does start?

 

I agree ^^. I would be very careful and get this taken care of. A leaking fuel injector can ( and often does ) hydro lock a cylinder and does much more damage such as bent rods and broken pistons etc...

 

I thought the same, when it starts it does run fine. The injectors are those that came with the S/C kit, so they are new and high flow. Couldn't it be the fuel pump or a fuel pressure regulator?

 

If is indeed flooding when sitting, there us no way the fuel pump could be the culprit. The fuel pressure regulator is a possibility, but if the diaphragm was leaking it would run very rich after it did start. My bet is that one of those new high flow injectors is leaking, new doesn't mean its good. Might be warranty depending on where you purchased and who installed, but a fuel system pressure and leakage test should confirm either way before going too far info it.

 

Does your motor oil smell like fuel?

Mike

 

Second, get it checked asap.

 

Another good tell tale of bad injector. Thanks for suggestion slow.

 

I'll check it right now

 

Fuel pressure gauge or you'er just guessing.

 

There's no gas smell at motor oil.
I'll go and get a pressure gauge as well as a fuel/air ratio gauge.
I've been looking after the fuel filter but I couldn't find it, anybody knows where it is?

 

Have you checked for ECU error codes? I like to try everything logical that costs nothing before spending money. You can chase your tail for a long time by ignoring standard troubleshooting procedures, and it can be very expensive.

Mike

 

I believe your fuel filter is located in the gas tank proper if I am not mistaken...

 

You are correct.


And definetly don't start replacing anything until you have tested properly - a vacuum leak could do the hard start thing too, but shouldn't leave you with a raw gas smell from the exhaust. Never assume when troubleshooting, and start with the simplest things first. Keep us updated either way.

 

I checked for trouble codes and none was found.
Thank you for your advices. They are very helpful.
Yesterday and today the engine started normally. I'll go checking things one by one.