Hot start issues...from a long time lurker, now a member!

Hello all!

First off, thank you for having such great forums. I've searched them many times and found great info but I'm a little stumped and would like to tap into the knowledge base here.

My wife bought a 2000 4Runner brand new. It's been a GREAT little SUV and we bought a replacement about a year ago and the 4Runner has seen reduced miles and we've talked about selling it (and I'm sure that's why it decided to have issues!! hahaha). No rust, great shape, with good MonroeHD and Michelins, it is a great little ride.

2000 4Runner. V6. Auto. 2wd. 315,000 miles (she commuted 90 miles to work 3x a week!).

Cold start = Always perfect. Fires right up.

However, if we run errands usually the 2nd or 3rd stop yields a difficult start. It will crank over just fine and ACT LIKE it is going to start and it won't. No matter if I give it a lot of throttle pedal or none, it does not seem to matter. Now, if I let it sit an hour and cool off, it fires up just fine again and off we go.

First guess is fuel pressure regulator and I may rig a fuel pressure gauge to check this. Possible MAF?

No check-engine-light and no codes of course. Basic tuneup stuff checks fine.

Anyone fight this before?

thanks!

Costas
cars and such...

 

I had a similar issue with a 1985 Supra and it ended up being the fuel pump.

I'm not sure it would be the same case, but it could be worth looking into.

And, welcome to the forum!

 

My GUESS is fuel so yes, a FPR or a pump itself is high on the list. Guess I need to rig a fuel pressure gauge but even if the pressure drops, it could be the pump or the regulator. Doh!

thanks,

Costas
cars and such...

 

Good luck! Keep us posted on your progress. Hopefully it will be an easy fix!

 

Perhaps there's sediment in the tank? When it's cold, nothing is clogging the filter, but after it's run a few trips, the sediment is clogging the filter. You may have to wait till the pressure drops and the sediment floats away?

 

I **THINK** I have it fixed.

Since it has high miles and leaking valve cover gaskets, I pulled the upper and mid intake and pulled the valve covers to put new gaskets on, and also put in a new Fuel Pressure Regulator while I was there. So far it seems okay, but it was a bit of a random issue so we'll see what the next few trips look like.

The inside of the covers were AWESOME (1 owner, high miles but well maintained!) so now I'll clean up the rest of it and get it listed soon.

If it happens again, I'll rig a fuel pressure gauge and watch it and see if I'm chasing a fuel issue or an ignition issue.

I did swap out the fuel filter and the one I pulled was easy to blow through, no restriction there.

Huge thanks and hopefully we can call this one fixed!

Costas
cars and such...