Cold Idle Problem On Previa

[Backroadvan]

Hi Folks.

Asking kindly for your expertise / experience: My 93 Previa Alltrac (330 000km) does not want to idle when cold. The problem appeared 'overnite'. Once warmed up (2 - 3 minutes) it purrs like a kitten. EGR?? Temp sensor??

Can't rely on my dealer for repairs here; they only get one out of 5 repairs right Thanks for any reply.

[propnut]

Does this only happen when you try and start it first thing in the morning after leaving it overnight??

[Backroadvan]

Does this only happen when you try and start it first thing in the morning after leaving it overnight??

Yup, first thing in the morning only. After that, the van might sit for hours and show "cold" on the gage, but it idles as it is supposed to.

[propnut]

Does this only happen when you try and start it first thing in the morning after leaving it overnight??

Yup, first thing in the morning only. After that, the van might sit for hours and show "cold" on the gage, but it idles as it is supposed to.

Ok, it may be many things but at that mileage the first thing I would have checked is the head gasket. Next time you try and start it in the morning get someone to watch the exhaust and see if any water comes out in the first few seconds.

What happens when the head gasket starts to go is water can seep through the weak spot and into the combustion chamber overnight. Of course water does not combust so when you try and start it you have a mix of water and fuel. Only once all the water gets purged witll it run right.

NOW this is just a guess but start here.

[Backroadvan]

Hi Propnut.

Thanks for your reply. This is what has happened in the meantime: The temperatures have moved from -2C to above freezing and ...... I did reset the ECU by pulling the fuses. Result: Engine idles like it is supposed to! Wish I would havewaited with the reset. Now I don't know what 'fixed' the problem. Now the headgasket is definitely an issue that's looming. We've done lots of heavy hauling and backroad travel here on Vancouver Island. So sooner or later it will be due.

Other than that the van is (technically) in excellent shape with just a few acessories starting to wear out.

Hope all is well on the 'big island'.

[propnut]

Hey bud, that's great news, glad its sorted. If it happens again check the ECU for a fault code before you reset it so you can get an idea of what is going wrong.

The "big island" is ok actually. We are having a really mild winter, roll on global warming soon we'll have palm trees here and will have to thank you guys for driving all those big V8's you got there.

Man I miss my 69 Mustang :D