Toyota Health Check

Anyone know what level of diagnostics a Toyota Health Check covers?

My Tacoma has been having an intermittent rough starting issue. Cranks for an extended period of time, starts and then idles rough.

I’ve been recording audio clips of the startup to document.

Yesterday morning was bad. Cranked for several seconds, started and then ran rough for my 15 km commute to work.

Started fine lunch hour.

This morning it took 3 attempts to start.

Happens in the morning after sitting for an extended period of time. Starts fine rest of the day.

Took it to the dealer today and service guy shrugged his shoulders. Then I played the audio clip. They suggested I leave it overnight and they’ll run a health check in the morning after the Shop Foreman starts the truck to see if it happens for him.

Truck has 98 000 km on it and still has warranty until 120 000 km.

I’ve tried gas line antifreeze so I don’t think it’s water on the gas.

Sounds like a fuel issue. Not getting enough. I tried the push start button without starting to prime fuel pump. No difference.

 

The HealthCheck generally covers relevant TSB updates and stored codes. Typically, the dealer will not apply a TSB unless it pertains to your specific issue.

There are other functions in the software to run diagnostic tests and monitor live data.

 

It is a function in Techstream. Basically pulls the status of all modules and codes (if any)
Have you ran your VIN for the fuel pump recall?

 

Thanks. Had the fuel pump recall done on January 2021.

 

I had a '65 chevy that ran just like that on cold mornings.
If it's not throwing codes, it might take some time to troubleshoot.

 

Well. Some good news. Dealer called and said they were able to confirm the starting issue. Happened when they started the truck this morning. They're keeping the truck overnight again and doing a pressure test. I asked the service guy what kind of pressure test but he BS'ed me. I don't think he really knows. I assumed they're doing some sorted of fuel system pressure test for a leaky injector.

 

I had a similar problem and noticed if I switched keys to the one I never use , the problem went away… for about 5 years. Then I sold it.

 

Got my truck back yesterday.

Fuel pressure test was within specs.

The diagnostic test showed a misfire on cylinders 1,3 and 6. They removed plugs, left overnight and didn’t see any fuel
in the cylinder so they’ve ruled out a leaky injector.

Truck started fine after they put it back together. No misfire shown.

Tech noted spark plugs looked good. If I had known the tech was taking out the plugs I would have had new ones put in.

The dealer suspects a fuel issue. Bad fuel or water. They’ve added an additive to the fuel to help burn fuel and clean fuel system.

I have a 1/2 tank in the truck so I’m going to burn through that today and then top off tank. See what happens.

I have my doubts it’s water in the fuel. Time will tell.

 

Do you top up the tank after the gas pump clicks off?

 

No I don’t.

Well. Maybe rounded up to the nearest dollar when I first got the truck 4 years ago but not since.

 

Adding a bottle of heet (iso) is a good practice in the winter. Good luck.

 

Well, I’m going to get flamed on (not by you) but I’d replace the ignition coils with MSD, RIPP or Standard Blue Streak but that’s just me. Edit: and ya, new plugs would have been a good idea

 

Well, I burned through the 1/2 tank of gas with the fuel additive the dealer added to the gas tank and then gassed up. It's only been 2 days but the truck has been starting fine.

I guess it could have been water in the gas but the starting problem was intermittent at first and got worse over a 4-6 week period. I had put in a bottle of STP gas line antifreeze in the previous 2 tanks of gas. The starting issue got worse and then it didn't start so that's why I brought it to the dealer.

Would dirty injectors sound more like it? I'm not a mechanic but I know when the truck doesn't start like it should.

So I dunno. It seems to be fine now.

 

Sounds like water in the gas.
Remember, water and gas don't mix. Put some gas in a glass with water and you see that very quickly. So, you could have a lot of water on start up after its been setting and allowed the gas and water to separate.

 

I agree with bad gas. Run a couple of tanks without pouring in any store-bought additives.

 

Water in the fuel would might have done a good job of cleaning the injectors. It was related to me that water injection (not through the fuel system though) does a good job of cleaning the combustion chamber.

 

Thanks for the replies. Hopefully this is the end of it.

The tech noted on the service report that he took a fuel sample. I asked what he found and the service guy just shrugged his shoulders.

We've had a weird fall and winter weather wise. +10 Canadian for a week or more, plenty of rain and damp weather and then stretches of cold temps with snowstorms and blizzards in the mix. It's been -15 Canadian for a week now. Wind chills of -25 and colder. I guess at those temps, water in the gas could have crystallized or froze?

Some service desk guys and techs could be better at their job. I complained about this in early January when the truck was in for the 96 000 km service. The service guy didn't take me seriously. Using the additive at that time might have prevented the problem from getting worse.

 

This sucks. Starting issue happened twice yesterday - morning and at noon. Started OK this morning. Truck is running like a POS at low speeds, 50-60 km/hr. Stumbles and is awfully quick to go into 6th gear. Bogs down a bit when accelerating and then shifts into higher gear. Idles fine though.

I guess it won't hurt to throw in another bottle of gas line antifreeze in case it is water in the gas. Heet isn't available in my area. I can get STP products though. Might try the STP All Weather Water Remover. This is getting frustrating.

 

Original battery?

 

Yep. Cranks over good though. And it's been -20 here for the last week. Doesn't seem to be having a hard time turning over.