Hard to start 3.0 V6...

[DanS HJ-45]

Asking for my sister...

'95 V6 Pickup (yes, pre-Taco).

It takes a lot of cranking to start nowadays. She says that overnight it needs 3 or 4 cranks (at 5-10 seconds each) to catch, then it runs fine.* When she drives to work, she parks it, and it starts up right away, if not easier at least when she leaves for lunch or in the evening.

*--below 20mph or so, she says there is a real odor of gas, but it otherwise runs well.

Any idea what might cause this? There has been NO work done to the truck to bring this about, nor has she yet taken it to a mechanic.

Also, if anyone knows of a good mechanic in the Los Angeles area, she'll be needing one...

Dan

 

[ms018kmf]

The cold start system could be the culprit. It's actually easy to see on the intake plenum, passenger side with a pair of wires and a banjo fitting going into it. She may not be able to diagnose a problem in the system but if it's just unplugged the fix is easy.

The cold start line is delicate, mine sprung a leak this summer. With my cold start system bypassed the exhaust has a hint of fuel smell during startup but it goes away fast. Hopefully the smell is similar to my engine's cold running and not a leak in the system. If she can pop the hood and turn the key to the "on" position (without starting) then she can smell for gasoline leaks. Caution should be used, besides the obvious risks my leak tried to spray me in the eyes. Good luck, .

 

[DanS HJ-45]

I'll see if she can't either take a peek herself, or get me some good pics...

Thanks!

Dan

 

[NorCalBorn]

FWIW...has the intake and plenum been cleaned or Sea Foamed? They get grimey after 20,000 miles or so, and a good cleaning will help startups when cold.

Pull off the rubber tube that comes from the intake silencer (just after the air filter assembly) and take a look, w/o the engine on, open the throttle and see if it's all oily/crusty black in there.

 

[morganism]

fire hazard

make sure to check the fuel pulse dampner, on the back, inlet side of the fuel rail.
looks like a big bolt.

after its been running, shut it off , put a hand or paper towel on it, and see if you have any gas on it.

it has a plastic cap, and a screw is supposed to be in the center.

if it is leaking, it drips fuel onto the exhaust , and has caused quite a few fires.

the new one i just got is a sealed assembly.
replace, dont try to repair.

 

[DanS HJ-45]

make sure to check the fuel pulse dampner, on the back, inlet side of the fuel rail.
looks like a big bolt.

I should have updated this thread....

This was exactly the problem. The fuel pulse dampener. I didn't even know such a thing existed! I've not seen one on a diesel.

Dan

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

I've not seen one on a diesel.

Dan

Oh go for a walk! Yes, if it's leaking, replace!!!! It is a long job.... I can't remember everything that needs to come off, but man! I remember it taking tooooo long!!!

 

[Rossman]

Hey Morganism, I think your likely correct that her probem is the Pulse Dampner. I currently have the exact same probem with my 1994 Toyota 3.0 small truck. It is hard starting when cold and reaks of gas. I was alarmed to learn I had been driving around in a fire bomb for a few days. I have a question: The pulse dampner is extremely difficult to get at and remove with it's difficult location, so is there a special wrench or technique for this job? Please don't tell me that the entire fuel injection assembly has to removed from the top of the engine? Thanks much

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

I had to remove the upper intake assembly.... best of luck!

 

[Rossman]

Thanks Jerod

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Thank me later..... It's a real pain for such a small part....

 

[Rossman]

Pulse Damper

Yep you were right, had to remove all the intake assembly off the top of the engine to get at that one little part. It was over my head and so I had a freind do it. The new pulse damper solved the gas leak and most of the hard start problem but, it's still a little harder to start than before (5-7 secound crank now, and was like 2 secounds before). And when running, the fuel injection system pressure goes up to spec. But it drops off to zero in about 30 secounds of being shut down. I believe it should hold the full pressure for hours after being shut down? Also, I now have a tap in the back of the engine next to the firewall that wasn't there before. It is rythmic with the RPM's and seems to be the fuel pulsing sound. But it was not there before. Any ideas??

Thanks again,