Engine Problems

[scutch0]

ok guys i have a problem with my engine.

i went to start my car earlier today and it just cranked over until the Battery was flat. (it didnt take long however bcoz it turns out that my Battery needed charging anyway.) it did this a coulpe of weeks ago, but i kept cranking it over until it gradually started with a missfire and stayed at constantly low revs, then as it warmed up began to run ok.

i have noticed some problems with the engine which have gradually got worse (listed below)...

-it normally starts within the same time as it used to but no longer does it smoothly, it kinda kicks into life (sometimes with a missfire) which judders the whole car untill its warm.

-it ran lean for ages, this was when i had an induction kit, (changed the plugs one day an they were white! i was told this is bcause it was running lean.) when i realised this i put the standard filter back on for 3 months, it still did it. then tried a k&n panel filter for 6 months and it was still doing it. this still hasnt been cured.

-on start up, it blows out a little light blue smoke out of the exhaust for about 20 seconds then it goes away (only form cold). i was told that this was a valve guide problem.

-it has been drinking fuel for ages... i could easily use half a tank going to uni and back (about 25miles there 25miles back) driving sensibly... an it used to be very good on fuel. it started to use a bit more fuel than normal after i had an accident, but now its using loads. (i know some one will say its my exhaust but it started using loads before i put the exhaust on.)

i've got to the stage now where i just wanna change the engine an have done with it, but i cant do that until june... so if any1 knows any solutions which aint gonna cost loads that'd be a help (i dont wanna spend loads on an engine that im gonna rip out in 5 months time).

has any1 else had these type of problems, or know what some of these problems could be caused by????

any help would be great!!!!!

cheers guys,

Rich.

[dawesy]

first off check that the plugs are the correct grade as plug colour tuning is only valid if the plugs are the correct grade. also check for airleaks as if your car is airflow metered as opposed to map sensored it will hate an airleak of any sort

[toyotasera.co.uk]

What is the water temperature doing? Does the heater work as well, or has that also started to take a long time to warm up.

A common fault on these engines is that the thermostat can fail. This causes two main phenomena.

1) the heater takes an age to get up to toasty warmth

2) fuel consumpion increases because the car is fooled thinking its on a cold start circuit, and just dumps fuel into the engine.

changing the thermostat often solves both problems, as the engine can then regulate its running temperature accordingly

[streetracer_starlet]

That woudnt explain how its leaning out but using lots of petrol Im thinking something to do with ignition timing? My car used to pink but used optimax and its fine

[scutch0]

thanks for the replys guys,

err, okay...

check for airleaks as if your car is airflow metered as opposed to map sensored it will hate an airleak of any sort

i think its airflow metered, how an where do i check for airleaks?

the heater takes an age to get up to toasty warmth

it has always (ever since ive had it) taken about 5 minutes while driving to get hot air in...

but my car is an australian import so it has a much larger radiator than the uk spec starlet, so i just figured that that was y it took so long...???

My car used to pink but used optimax and its fine

mine used to pink, but now it seems fine

Rich.

[Captain Starlet]

used to pink? what ya's mean?