joshana12

I have a 2001 ES 300 with over 160,000 miles on it. Lately, and especially since it has been getting colder, the engine has a tough time starting in the morning. Sometimes it will crank but will not catch. I usually have to hold the gas pedal for 20-30 seconds for it to catch. This only occurs in the morning, for the most part after it was driven for the day, it is fine throughout the day.

All the lights turn on and the mechanic said no codes came up. I recently changed the spark plugs on it but the problem still comes up. Could this be engine flooding or the throttle body, or a leaky fuel injector?

I appreciate any help.

Thanks

2GSKaizen

iTrader: (1)

I think it is most likely a fuel delivery problem. Try to prime the fuel pump before starting in the morning. Do this by inserting the key, turning it to the "on" position without cranking the engine. After a few seconds, cycle the key back to off. Do this about 3 times. After the 3rd time, try and crank the engine. If this reduces the time it takes to catch and start up, I'd suspect a weak fuel pump. All the fuel stuff in this car is ECU controlled, so I highly doubt it's flooding. If it was a leaky injector, you would probably have performance issues while driving the car also, not just on startup.

BDSL

I assume it cranks normal during start up.

You might have sticky fuel injector(s) that can cause lack of fuel or flooding. Best to try fuel injector cleaners such as Seafoam. It only cause you $10 a can.

joshana12

[QUOTE=2GSKaizen;8767476If it was a leaky injector, you would probably have performance issues while driving the car also, not just on startup.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the reply. What type of performance issues are you thinking of? I have noticed that the steering wheel is shaking when I drive on the highway, but that would be a tire problem no?

2GSKaizen

iTrader: (1)

If an injector were getting stuck open or had debris in them it almost never happens to all 6 six injectors. 1 or maybe 2 would have a problem. Those 2 cylinders wouldn't be firing quite as good as the other 4 due to lack of, or too much fuel, so the engine would probably be misfiring. You would have a small lack of power, probably vibration from the engine that you would be able to feel inside the car. It would almost always set off a check engine light, and probably make the car throw codes for 02 sensors, and/or cylinder misfires. Your shaking wheel is most likely tire balance.

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

I would try cleaning the Idle Air Control Valve. When the engine is cold, it uses a special bypass in the throttle body to limit the amount of air coming in. If that's clogged, you will have poor performance on cold starts.

You cannot prime the fuel system this way on a 97-01 ES300. The fuel pump only turns on when the engine is cranking.