Long cranking 2003 Corolla 1.6

[corradovr6]

Hi all,

 

I'm more active on the Yaris forum, as i find my t-sport more fun! 

Anyway, my wifes t3 2003 corolla seems to have a long cranking time and it doesnt fire cleanly.  Scanned for error codes and there aren't any.  These are things things i've done so far:

1. Removed and cleaned the maf

2. Checked and cleaned spark plugs (they weren't oiled or burnt).  Checked the gap - 1.0mm - is this correct? These were changed about 15,000 miles ago

3. Removed and cleaned the VVTi valve, also no change.

4. I've added some Lucas fuel system cleaner to the last tank and will do it again for a few more tanks - i'm guessing the injectors may be clogged?  Mileage is 130,000

 

Thanks

[Cyker]

If it runs okay once it's going, check Battery voltage and the starter. Might not apply to yours, but I know the 2.0 diesels had an issue with the starter as they aged, which would show up as being impossible to start when the engine was hot (Very annoying if you go to a petrol station, refuel, then can't start the car again for 15 minutes!  )

[flash22]

What engine ? auto or manual ?

Does it do it hot and cold ? What does the engine temp read on odb2 (ecu) ?

Get it running and spray a bit of carb cleaner/brake clean around the inlet manifold where it meets the head if it stalls, stumbles or revs it's pulling in unmetered air

[corradovr6]

Thanks both.

auto.

Does it both hot and cold.  During the cold weather it would really sound lumpy as though it was on 3 cylinders.

Good call on the inlet manifold, i'll check that.  Certainly makes sense.  Typically, if it does pull in unmetered air, where is this from, the elbow or the flange face?

I'll also rescan and check the engine temp

[flash22]

If it's a plastic intake, the gasket between the head and manifold also around the injectors (packing pieces go rock hard with age and constant heat cycles)

with ulez expanding, these older cars are going to get very expensive to run

[corradovr6]

great, thanks for that.  I did the rocker cover gasket last year as that was like stone, surprised it was still sealing.  I also swopped the seal on the VVti valve, although to be fair that was still ok.

 

Don't get me started on ULEZ.  It'll mean i cant even take my corrado off the drive unless i pay the £12.50.  And the pollution in our borough - hmm lets see, we have quite a few parks, not too much traffic, minimal HGVs.  Too much disinformation being thrown about regarding pollution levels and main contributors to it.  Its absolutely not a one size fits all solution, its really just another tax.  

I'll pick my toys up out of the pram now..