Hard Start

My truck has been having more difficulty starting when it's warmed up lately. If I drive it somewhere, turn it off to go into a store or something, then come out and start it.... the starter turns over longer to get the engine to "catch". Once in a while it limps to even catch. I changed out the battery because my tester said it was low on cranking amps, but it still seems to happen. Any ideas what is causing this? It's a 2020 Off Road Double Cab.

 

If you can post a video.

Otherwise check for codes
And
Try key cycling the ignition twice with a two second pause at the on position for the fuel pump to prime then try starting it. If it starts quicker then the fuel pump check valve may be leaking. If not then you'll have to start checking things like plugs and such.

 

Tune up time, maybe.

 

No codes are present. I have an ultra-gauge and don't see any numbers that look off. I'll try to get video next time it happens.

 

I wonder if this could be an electrolyte issue with your battery. Do you have lead acid batteries? Have you popped the top(s) and checked if there is water to the bottom of the fill holes (DO NOT FILL TO THE TOP!!). If it were me I would make sure your starter is getting the juice it needs from the battery and the cables to the starter are snug. After you confirm the electrical system is getting the starter what it needs I would check your alternator is charging properly... it may be going out and not topping your battery like it should. It would be good to rule out all of the above as possibilities before you start troubleshooting fuel air and spark.

That is what I would do.

 

Stab in the dark but a dirty air filter can lead to hard starts.

 

Ive never topped off a battery...if its low its discharged.

 

Do you smell fuel when its hard to start? Could be leaking injectors

 

This could be a sign of a fuel pump issue. Was your truck part of the fuel pump recall?

 

Ya, from my motorcycle days before I had sealed batteries I always checked the level. A few resources for flooded battery maintenance for those that care...

Energic Plus Article
Trojan Batteries Article

 

The factory battery in my truck lasted 5 plus years because I topped up the cells and cleaned the top off. Flooded batteries off gas during charging and overtime need to be topped up to maintain cell levels. I am lucky enough to live in a part of the world where tap water will do but distilled water is better if you have hard water in the taps.

 

My battery is brand new, 2 weeks old. Mine is not a part of the recall and not smelling gas, but this is what I was thinking too. Is there any way to check for a leaky injector? I'm a little handy but not a mechanic.

 

Just hasnt been my experience...i get same amount of time out of a battery...never messing with it.

 

Similar thing happened to me a couple years back. Replaced the starter, no issues since.

 

Maybe the battery cables? It is not unknown for battery cables to corrode under the red/black insulation.

Just a thought ...

 

I googled your issue specific to 2020tacoma

Hard starts when hot is a common symptom of leaky fuel injectors. When the engine is shut off the injectors continue to leak fuel making it hard to start until the leaked fuel has evaporated. Meaning cold starts are usually normal, and the hot ones harder.

 

Did this just start …recent fuel fill up… wheather conditions .. what u mean by hard start .. video more info would be helpful.

 

Just found this: 2017 extended crank when warm | Tacoma World

Mine is similar except not as bad. I replied to see what the fix was for this OP.

 

FWIW I had these symptoms once for a 98 Dodge Intrepid. In my case it was the fuel pump going bad over time resulting in a lower fuel pressure in the lines. When the engine sat for a few minutes after running at full temp (like when going into a store for a few minutes) the fuel evaporated in the lines because of the low pressure. I would have to pop the hood and let the engine cool down to get it to start again.

 

does it fit your symptoms? here are items to check.