White smoke/unburned fuel

[zapatius]

Just after getting gas, had rough idle, hesitation, fuel smell and white cloud from exhaust. Did the head gasket about 40k ago, so feared the worst. Not head gasket. I drained the tank and put in ethanol free top tier gas. Still have all the symptoms. Injectors were inspected and cleaned when I did the head gasket. Today, tapped injectors after seeing other thread about one possibly being stuck open. Idle smoothed out but still have fuel smell and cloud. Took plugs out and here is result. 1 is left, 6 is right. I can't figure out which injector may be bad, but plug 2 looks most carbon fouled. Also have been getting an intermittent O2 sensor code but goes away after a few minutes on its own. Thoughts? Thanks.

 

[Rifleman]

The only difference i see, the top plug in the first photo, the porcelain is noticeably whiter along with the side electrode being cleaner then the rest of your plugs,

 

[sbman]

These types of threads are getting more and more common.

Fuel injectors do eventually wear out. Most vehicles are done for other reasons by the time they do but with people regularly running 250K+ miles, things wear out that normally aren't an issue. I had a leaking/stuck injector 50K or 60K after cleaning with total miles on them about 300K. I decided to replace them all because what's up with one is likely to be in the near future of all of them, they've all been along for the same ride.

Another thing to check is use a scan tool to see if the coolant temp sensor is reading correctly. I also had that fail, it was reporting -30F instead of proper coolant temp and it was doing it intermittently. When that happens, the computer richens things up a lot and you get white fuel smoke and hard starting or no starting at all when hot.

 

[zapatius]

These types of threads are getting more and more common.

Fuel injectors do eventually wear out. Most vehicles are done for other reasons by the time they do but with people regularly running 250K+ miles, things wear out that normally aren't an issue. I had a leaking/stuck injector 50K or 60K after cleaning with total miles on them about 300K. I decided to replace them all because what's up with one is likely to be in the near future of all of them, they've all been along for the same ride.

Another thing to check is use a scan tool to see if the coolant temp sensor is reading correctly. I also had that fail, it was reporting -30F instead of proper coolant temp and it was doing it intermittently. When that happens, the computer richens things up a lot and you get white fuel smoke and hard starting or no starting at all when hot.

Good idea on coolant temp sensor. I was thinking I replaced it with the head gasket, but maybe I didn't. I am OBD1 but I have the OBD1 scanner from here that I have never used. At the price, I think I'll just replace all the injectors. Relatively cheap peace of mind.

 

[mudgudgeon]

think I'll just replace all the injectors. Relatively cheap peace of mind.

Have you priced OEM injectors? Are they still available?

 

[tug123]

I fought something similar for a few months, only recently resolved it. At first I just serviced injectors, they needed it but the problem remained. Best thing I ever did was buy a borescope and put it down the cylinders - there was lots of fuel in #6. It's easy to do and lets you know it's either the harness or the injector if you see fuel. In my case, it was the wiring harness shorting out (continuity test is very helpful to confirm this).

 

[Rifleman]

Have you priced OEM injectors? Are they still available?

Just checked, OEM P/N 23209-74080 for his 1994 land cruiser are still available, at the low, low cost of only $176,19 each, plus tax and S&H

23209-74080 Genuine Toyota Injector Assy, Fuel

ToyotaPartsDeal.com offers the great deal for genuine Toyota parts 23209-74080 (2320974080) Injector Assy, Fuel for $176.19. All parts are backed by the Toyota's warranty.

www.toyotapartsdeal.com

 

[zapatius]

Have you priced OEM injectors? Are they still available?

They are still available at about $218/each from my local dealer...cheaper elsewhere.