LC had a hard start this morning

[mtnracer]

My 2003 LC with 135K on the clock had a hard time starting this morning. The starter was cranking for around 4-5 seconds before it caught. Never had this happen before and the truck runs fine. It also started normal after shutting it off and re-starting.

All service on this truck has been done per factory recommendation - nothing major thus far outside the timing belt / water pump. Was this just a fluke or should I get a tune up?

 

[Brock]

Check your battery...seasons are changing and a low cranking amps might do that....did it sound like it was dragging or a little slower? Sometimes hard to tell if it happens over time.....

Also, might check throttle body....clean it good around the valve flapper and Mass Air Sensor

 

[mtnracer]

Check your battery...seasons are changing and a low cranking amps might do that....did it sound like it was dragging or a little slower? Sometimes hard to tell if it happens over time.....

Also, might check throttle body....clean it good around the valve flapper and Mass Air Sensor

Battery is definitely strong. Cranking was solid until it started. Using a 1 year old Optima Red Top.

I checked the MAF Sensor and Valve about a 18 months ago and cleaned them.

Could it be the coil packs and maybe spark plugs getting old?

 

[NMuzj100]

I don't think coils or old plugs could be the problem.

EFI fuse (can look good and still be bad), EFI relays, Fuel pumps and Fuel pump ECUs have been the cause of hard starting problems for others.

I would still have the battery/alternator tested. Even a year old battery will fail with a bad or failing alt.

 

[cary]

Battery is definitely strong. Cranking was solid until it started. Using a 1 year old Optima Red Top.

I checked the MAF Sensor and Valve about a 18 months ago and cleaned them.

Could it be the coil packs and maybe spark plugs getting old?

Given the number of red top failures, you should treat the battery as suspect and have it tested.

 

[Gottagetone]

Run a can of BG 44K though it or something similar. Ethanol in the gas is not a good thing and your engine may just need a good cleaning. 18 months is a long time to go without cleaning the MAF sensor or TB. You can buy the cans of stuff to do those cleanings for cheap and complete the job in a matter of minutes...thats where I would start if everything else sounded solid.

 

[mtnracer]

I will look into the BG44K and cleaning the sensors again. Good news is that so far it only happened that one time. It's been starting like a champ ever since.

What's the story on the Optima batteries. I had a yellow top in my 4Runner (never a problem), I have a a Red Top 34R as my main battery in the LC and a Blue Top deep cycle as a secondary for camping, etc. The blue top is already 3 years old and still going strong.

 

[NMuzj100]

Gumout Regane is a cheaper way of getting the PEA cleaners that really work in the fuel system and are the active ingredient in 44k. Chevron Techron and Redline Fuel Treatment are also good. Most of the others are a waste.