1995 Toyota T100 SR5 Starting Troubles

I have a '95 T100 SR5 4X4 with 82,000 on it and recently have had a starting problem.. When I start the engine, it takes several cranks and then turns over.. When I look out the passenger side mirror, I see a puff of black smoke when it finally starts.. I took it to a Toyota mechanic and he thought it was a problem with the plugs because they were well worn so he changed them with Toyota plugs and it is still doing it.. Also, the check engine light came on and he said the code indicates a problem with the catalytic converter.. He was going to change the O2 sensor and the catalytic converter but wanted to replace the plugs to see if that would solve the problem.. Well, it didn't.. It's a big expense to change the converter and the O2 sensor.. Would replacing them both resolve the starting issue?? Other than starting it up, it runs great! Thanks for any help!!!

When's the last time you had a tuneup? Did you git yer injectors cleaned...especially the cold start injector? You could probably pull the cold start injector and take a peek at it. Just two 10mm nuts hold it onto the air plenum. I'm gonna guess that it's pretty gummed up... :(

Black smoke is usually an indicator of fuel not being burned. Too much fuel is one cause...not gitting spark is another. How's the engine running once it's started? Rough or smooth? What is yer current fuel mileage?

I don't believe the O2 sensor comes into play on startup as the engine isn't warm enough to git a reading. Of course the O2 sensors we have are probably the heated ones...

I just bought the truck in December 2006.. I have replaced the plugs, plug wires, fuel lines and fuel filter.. Also had the throttle body cleaned and replaced the air filter.. The fuel pump is also new, recently replaced by the previous owner.. I figured it was fine because the black smoke indicates it is dumping fuel.. The Toyota mechanic hooked up his computer and said everything came up OK.. I didn't understand the connection between starting and O2 sensor/ catalytic converter.. I can understand the check engine light showing the converter code because of the black smoke but haven't figured out why the fuel isn't burning to begin with.. The mechanic figured it was a spark problem , so he replaced the worn plugs but the problem persists.. The aggravating part is it doesn't happen on every start but probably 75% of the time.. There are times when it fires right up!

I'd still check the cold start injector then... ;)

Thanks! I will check that.. Am I right that even if the check engine light is showing the code for a bad catalytic converter that isn't the reason for the starting troubles? Thanks again!

UPDATE!

Today it has fired right up and when I got in it this morning the "check engine" light was off and never came back on??? I have stop and started it 3 times, about 15 minutes between stopping and starting each time.. Does it take a while for the computer to register, the only thing different was changing the plugs? Why would the faulty converter code go off?? I appreciate the help!

It might have been possible that one of yer plug wires wasn't connected all the way? Did you change the plugs again? Same type/make/model? Did you put any injector cleaner in it? I'd still check that cold start injector... ;)

I have only changed the plugs once, by the Toyota mechanic a few days ago.. He replaced the old after-market plugs with Toyota plugs.. When he pulled the plug wire off to change the plugs, a little metal clip came off the plug wire on a couple and he had to get it out by using a pair of long needle nose pliers?!

I have run Lucas fuel injector cleaner in it a couple of tanks..

Do you think it is a problem with the plug wires since the clip came off on a couple? The Toyota mechanic pushed it back up in the plug wire but I wonder if they are a bad set of wires, even though they are new?

That's the wire cap...if it's that loose, I'd just get a new set. Pushing those back on won't ensure that they will stay on. They should be nice and tight. Those should be under warranty!

I'd still pull that cold start injector and give it a good cleaning... ;)

Well, I put Toyota plug wires on and checked the injector.. no problems but still has the extended start issue.. We recently had a new quickie mart gas station open and his gas is the cheapest in town by far.. I happen to know a guy that hauls gas and he said it is a generic gas he is selling and sounds like too much ethanol in the mix.. he said try different gas.. name brand.. He said even try mid-grade since it is an older vehicle..

What do you think? Thanks!

Fergot to ask...does it do it after yer truck is at operating temp?

You could probably have the ignitor checked and tested...I wouldn't go replacing things until you find out what the cause is. ;)

After a 650 mile trip, I am happy to report the truck ran AWESOME! Must have been the new plugs and plug wires because it fired up every time and the check engine light never came back on! Also got 19 MPG!!!

Thanks "BamZipPow" for your help!

I still say it was probably yer cold start injector in combination of yer other small problems. With a fuel injection cleaner in yer truck...it probably cleaned it up after a few starts... ;)

:sosad: Well, I am sorry to report the problem has returned:sosad: It ran great on the long trip.. Prior to going on the trip i put in some Lucas Treatment in the gas tank and filled it up.. Ran great on that tank and the following tank so I thought the problem was solved.. Well, it is starting to crank longer with a little black smoke again.. What the heck do I do now??? I am frustrated chasing this problem.. HELP!