Day 14 of car not starting.

[jcmiro]

Im going nuts. Car is in and out of shops. Ive spent a couple hundred bucks on keys, reprogramming, fuse replacement, new maf, throttle body cleaning, fuel pressure check, reseting the ecu etc etc..... Car still sometimes 50-50 wont start. This started when I moved to a hot humid country, and car sat in a container with the battery disconnected for a month. I have noticed after reading thousands of posts here that sometimes if I open my gas tank it'll start. Sometimes this fixes it, sometimes it doesnt. I just know this helps. I really need help as NO one in this small country knows a fix.

 

[MScruiser]

Man, that sucks. I have nothing to offer but my well-wishes.

Maybe fried ECU? Heck, I dunno...

 

[ceb]

When you say "won't start", what do you mean? Does it crank? Is there gas? Do all the electrics work as intended?

Oh, and where are you?

 

[jcmiro]

Sorry... Car cranks, Electronics turn on, everything works but the engine wont turn, and if it does itll start to 1100 rpms and shortly die after 3 seconds. Once in a while, if the car is cold itll start up fine and run fine after one or two tries. Ive been surviving by just keeping it running during the day and turning it off at night when I dont need it. Panama City, Panama

 

[Angelo1]

I'm sure you checked but I have to ask, did you check the fuel filter? If clogged, it will do exactly what you're describing

 

[Markuson]

I'm sure you checked but I have to ask, did you check the fuel filter? If clogged, it will do exactly what you're describing

Could you have some nasty sludge in the fuel line near the tank that restricts flow and creates a vacuum as your engine tries to pull it through?
-Sorta like a clogged heart valve...?
No idea. Just my non-mechanic brain thinkin....

Is there a way to run something through the line itself to make sure it's not partially gunned up?

 

[jcmiro]

Tomorrow im off to buy a new fuel filter to try it out.

 

[LCHardriver_02]

From my experience with my 100 series, if you ever over filled the truck and the Charcoal Canister got fuel in it, then the tank will not release pressure like it supposed to and it can cause the truck to vapor lock.

I am not sure if the 200 series is the same, but this may be something that you may want to look into, since releasing pressure sometimes causes it to allow to start.

 

[mark71]

Agree that I'd be double checking the fuel filter and charcoal canister.

 

[GatorHunter]

Is it giving a code, have they code checked, let me know the code and VIN and I will look it up.

 

[ceb]

Both good points. It certainly sounds like a fuel issue.

 

[slowride]

Are you in a part of the world that has an authorized Toyota Dealer & Service center??? If the truck ran fine before the container treatment then clearly something happened during the storage period of time. (extreme temperatures???) Sounds like your going to need some serious diagnosis, your now starting to spend $$$ on things that may not be bad. Better to cure the problem now because your going to have to cure it eventually.

 

[jcmiro]

Thanks for all the tips guys. Its at another Toyota "authorized" (you never really know in the 3rd world) dealer. I told them your comments and had them order a new vapor canister and fuel pump. We'll see if that works.

 

[Angelo1]

Good luck, hope that cures the problem. If they are replacing the fuel pump, I imagine they are also putting in a new fuel filter as well.

 

[jcmiro]

lol probably not. Ill make sure they order that too.

 

[chilibit]

Inspect filter. If it clogged then you are faced with inspecting the pump and inspecting the tank. Some people double up the filters (in sequence) and some filter all fuel entering the tank. The first world has its fair share of slimy station operators. I filter diesel but have been fine on petrol.