4.0 odd starting issue

Nah not really. It's more common on these later gen 2nd gens than you think. They were not built using the best quality parts like the early gen 2nd gens were.

 

I could see that what was the solution to your issue?

 

@Calamity_taco

it happens...

My wife got her CX-5 new in 2016. Since then her car has acted up three times. Hard to start, suddenly go in limp mode or the gauges would act up. First time it took a while to figure WTH was going on. Turned out to be a bad ground on the battery. A year or so later it started doing pretty much the same thing. Replaced the battery, problem solved. Then about three years later same thing only this time I didn't think twice. Replaced the battery and life was good.

Along with the cold temperatures and I wouldn't rule it totally out. Just saying...

 

Sigh I can guarantee it’s not my battery it’s not old it doesn’t have issues I’ve had battery issues before with other vehicles and not once did it cause the vehicle to backfire because the battery was old that’s why I can be pretty sure it’s something fuel related after talking to people here and else where

 

Idk if I stated this but besides the truck having the odd start once and awhile it is not hard to start the truck turns on like it should even when it has its issue the truck still turns on it doesn’t crank slower or anything it literally falls on it’s face and back fires then starts it’s not slow

 

You're going to need to check the fuel pressure man because that issue sounds entirely like a failing fuel pump.

That was my issue back in the day and it emanated itself in a way where it would intermittently not start or long crank.

Like I said you're going to need to give me the small list of things you need to try and you need to test when you can because there are ways to check it right if you have the resources to do so. Even then if it's as intermittent as you state, it may be difficult to track down, but regardless this wouldn't be the first nor will you be the last person who potentially has a fuel pump issue on these later gen 2nd gens. They just suck.

 

I gotcha man I’ll get ahold of a family friend and ask if he can help me out with it since I don’t have a way to check fuel pressure and the list of things to check is mainly what everyone has said In here
Fuel filter
Fuel pump
Injectors may need cleaning
I gotta do spark plugs on mine because they old lol
I think there was a few other things as well but I’ll have to go back and look

 

My understanding of a back fire is that it’s unburned fuel igniting in the exhaust system.

To get unburned fuel in the exhaust system, a spark plug is not sparking for some reason. Or an extremely rich mixture is passing through the combustion chamber. Or the ignition timing is way off. You’d think either case would throw a code.

The aftermath of a backfire could be damaged cats or muffler. So once you fix the issue, a back pressure test may be in orders.

 

Ya agreed it’s gonna need a look through if it’s the cats I’m going catless I’m not buying those things lmao

 

#1 on the to do list.

 

Yup I had planned to do it today but I went and got a burger and got food poisoning so I’ve wished for death today

 

Yuuuup it has not been fun haha

 

Okay, a lot of that is a little messy. We need to narrow down some things first.

- Where is it backfiring from? Exhaust or the intake?

- how many miles on the spark plugs?

- do you have a scanner or do you have access to a scanner?

- there is no checking the fuel filter on these trucks. The filter is a strainer which is buried inside of the tank. If you have to check then you might as well replace the pump because it's that deep in there.

- I have replaced a set of injectors on these trucks before, but they were throwing a code and the truck was not running terrible at any particular moment. Don't rule them in, but don't rule them out. My question for you is, do you have a check engine light or have you at any point?

 

I’m thinking the backfire comes from the exhaust but I can’t be for sure I’ll be honest with you on that it sounds like it’s coming from behind me thou

spark plugs umm I think they were changed at 70k something I don’t remember it was a bad time when that happened.. the truck currently has 128k I was meaning to do them awhile back when I tore apart my trucks front end but complexity forgot

no I don’t own a scanner I might have some people that have one I’ll have to get ahold of them

I found out about the fuel filter and that it was in the tank last night but it was on the list I originally had but I know if I go in there I’m just gonna replace the pump to be on the safe side

with the injectors I was just gonna run a cleaner to get them cleaned and see if that changes anything or not hopefully it’s not the injectors

there is no code or check engine light on the truck I’ve mentioned that already if I remember correctly

 

Don't waste your money on plugs or on the injector cleaner. Neither will solve your issue. This is an issue that needs to be tackled methodically, and from the sounds of it the best solution to this issue is to get a hold of a scanner first. Once you do and only until then it will be worth doing anything to the truck.

My advice is you don't touch a thing until you have a hold of a scanner and can get a hold of the long term and the short term (STFT/ LTFT) fuel trims. These will be critical in diagnosing your issue and once you can get a reading of those at idle and while driving we can help you further.

If your readings indicate that you need to investigate the fuel system further then you will need to get us fuel pressure readings.

Nominal fuel trims for the Tacoma usually rest within a 5.5+- range. If they exceed values above that, then there is an issue. As I mentioned, get a hold of a decent scan tool and report back. Otherwise do not go wasting money that does not need to be wasted yet.

 

I mean it does need plugs they are a bit overdue finding someone that has a nice scan tool like that might be a bit hard I’ll have to call around to see but atm I’m unsure

 

You are overdue for plugs but not enough to the point where it will be emanating the issues you have.

 

I agree with you on that but since it’s fresh in my mind and so I don’t forget again I’ll go ahead and do them because idk when I’ll find someone to check fuel trim stuff maybe a dealer can for me? Not sure

 

Doubtful. Dealers are legitimately the worst. If you are going to be spending money then you might as well go ahead and front the money for a scanner. They are relatively cheaply priced these days and are worth their weight alone in the valuable information that they can offer.