Corolla Puzzle

[biba.doa]

Really hoping someone on here can help me as my Toyota Corolla seems to be running out of steam and no one seems to know why!

For over a year now my car (a 1997 Toyota Corolla GS 1.3) has been struggling to start and it has got really bad in the last month.

I am not into cars at all so my descriptions will not be the best however the car has been looked at by 2 different mechanics and neither could work out what was wrong so I was hoping someone on here may have had a similar experience. Right, the description - here goes!!

When I turn the key to try and start the car, it makes the noise as though it's about to start but just keeps "chugging" and you know it won't start. I have to do this several times before it will finally start. When it has started, it doesn't sound "right" and if you try and and put your foot on the accelerator, the car splutters and dies. I have to keep doing this performance of starting the car, applying gas and it dying (it used to be 3 or 4 times however lately it is taking about 10 to 20 times). After it has been dying instantly for say the 20th time, I need to put my foot right down on the accelerator for a second then off again to try and rev the car. There is a delayed reaction between when I put my foot on the pedal and when the car revs a bit later. After revving the car for a while, I can then usually start driving although putting my foot down doesn't get much of a reaction until a bit later and it is extremely easy for the car to stall (it seems to need a lot of gas for not a lot of response). For the first 5 minutes of driving the car is very unstable, needing the pedal to be practically on the floor to try and move off in first gear. After this though, the car acts as normal and sometimes (although not to much lately), the car will start fine first time and you wouldn't think anything was wrong.

Also recently after having the trouble starting the car the revs will go high (2-3) even when I am in neutral and putting it into gear helps bring them down a bit! This happens for about the first 2 minutes of driving and then it returns to normal. Again sometimes this won't happen at all.

About 6 months ago, it would not start at all but made a completely different noise to anything before. I had to call a mechanic and he found the Battery was dead. It was strange though because the car had started perfectly the day before and then suddenly nothing. I have had it looked at by 2 mechanics but neither could work out what was wrong. The second mechanic changed the crankshaft pully and the throttle body thinking it may be these however the problem has only worsened.

I would really appreciate any advice at all as it is getting very frustrating and I really would like to solve the problem.

Thanks so much for any ideas

[garethpaul]

Have you had the spark plugs, leads, and ditributor cap & rotor arm checked. When were they last changed?

What about your air/fuel filters?

Gareth.

[4afte]

i agree with garethpaul about the ignition system have them check.

also examine the timing system, with the bevel gear driven twin cams it's really easy to hav them one or two teeth out after inexperience mechanics open them up. be wary as there are several installation markings on the bevel gears which are mistaken for timing marks. also check lambda sensor this can also cause running problems

[biba.doa]

Thanks both for your suggestions. I am going to get it looked at by another mechanic soon so I will pass on your comments and hopefully it will be finally sorted!!

Thanks again :D