Yaris Cold start problem

[vinny121]

I changed the plugs on other cars. I'll check the air filter first. The Yaris manual says the plugs should last 100K miles but it is possible that they need to be changed. It could be the coils also. I'll remove the plastic cover on the engine soon and check out the condition of the coils and plugs. FWIW, the same starting problems occurred intermittently this winter. Maybe it is time to take apart the ignition system.

BTW, at what mileage did you have the cracked coil? Wouldn't an ignition problem cause the ECU to show the 'check engine' light?

Do you think that a fuel injector cleaning done by a repair shop help me with the throttle body? Or maybe should I use one of those commercial cleaners myself (from a bottle)?

Thanks!

[mazilla]

Originally Posted by vinny121

I changed the plugs on other cars. I'll check the air filter first. The Yaris manual says the plugs should last 100K miles but it is possible that they need to be changed. It could be the coils also. I'll remove the plastic cover on the engine soon and check out the condition of the coils and plugs. FWIW, the same starting problems occurred intermittently this winter. Maybe it is time to take apart the ignition system.

BTW, at what mileage did you have the cracked coil? Wouldn't an ignition problem cause the ECU to show the 'check engine' light?

I bought it with 450K on the car three weeks ago, dunno when it actually cracked

Do you think that a fuel injector cleaning done by a repair shop help me with the throttle body? Or maybe should I use one of those commercial cleaners myself (from a bottle)?

I doubt it, and the injectors look factory on my engine so I don't know how effective an injector cleaning would be @ your low mileage. I use the spray type TB cleaner personally. Just pull off the intake and manually open your throttle with your fingers, if it's absurdly dirty you may want to consider removing it completely and giving it a once over, if not follow the directions on the can and wipe as much of that black out(with a rag, not a paper towel) as you can. The throttle body on my car was dirtier than anything I've ever seen before, it required an intense cleaning, the result was significant.
Also, you might want to pull your EGR valve and give it a good cleaning or replace it...a good cleaning is usually all that's needed.
Thanks!

Once you go through the basic stuff I'd be surprised if there was anything else you'd need to do. I've seen 15 of these cars with mileage ranging from 350-500K and they were all in need of only minor repairs(that were not done at regular intervals).

*You're first start after spraying the throttle body cleaner into the intake will be rough, give it some fuel(press the gas pedal) and it should smooth right out, it just needs to burn it off.


ETA: I'm not a mechanic, I happen to own a lot of vehicles, which means I have to do the repairs myself if I want to continue to be able to afford them. I spend most of my days tinkering with this and that, fixing as much as I can. On occasion I will have to go to a shop because I either lack the time, tools or willpower to do it myself. I've found that if you stay on top of the small things you're far less likely to have a catastrophic failure, if ever.

[vinny121]

Let me remind all that the problem is specifically that my Yaris runs fine all the time except when it sits unused for longer than 2 days. Any further suggestions? I bought MAF cleaner today and air filter and am hoping that this may solve it. When my Yaris sits for longer than 2 days, this intermittently happens: I turn the key to start my Yaris and the engine cranks, but I get no ignition (initial combustion). So the only way to start the car is to pulse the gas pedal and almost hold it to the floor to get combustion. Does anyone think that maybe the fuel delivery system is the problem? After the engine starts, there is nothing wrong with idling, acceleration, or drive ability. Sometimes the intermittent problems are the toughest ones. Thanks all for your help.