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1997 Toyota trouble starting occasionally
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ISHKABBIBLE
Novice
Jul 9, 2010, 10:18 PM
Post #1 of 7
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1997 Toyota trouble starting occasionally
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Ok so I have a 1997 Toyota Camry with a 2.2 liter 4 cyl and 188590 miles on it. My problem is that every once in a long while it won't start up right away, that and it has a awful oil leak that got worse since I had Walmart do it. I added oil yesterday and my car started that morning fine without any troubles at all and I drive for 30 and leave my car then come back 2 minutes later and it doesn't want to start. It powers on fine lights, AC, radio all that works great but when I try to get it to start it goes like it will and the RPM goes up a little then at the last second it just stops and the RPM goes down to 0 and it won't turn over. I try a few times and the same then I wait about 2-3 minutes and try again and I manage to get it going and drive off for another 30 minutes w/o incident after which I make a 10 minute stop only to have the same problem happen again when I come back to the car. After this I have one last stop that I try before I give up and 15 minutes away then a 10 minute chore to come back and the same problem.
Well I decided it was best to just head home and try to deal with it the next day (today) and well nothing was wrong today. It started fine, ran and I made a trip to the store for 5 minutes and it started fine when I came back like the day before hadn't even happened at all. My car has done this a total of three times once about a year ago, then about 2 months, and now yesterday all three times the same trouble and same wait time to start it. I don't think it is the alternator or the starter from what I was able to figure out and the battery was checked recently and passed plus the car has full power. I think it may have something to do with the fuel, and once I tried to press the gas pedal to see if it would turnover and the RPM went up but as soon as I let off it went right down to 0 again. If anyone has any ideas I would like to hear them thanks.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 10, 2010, 5:26 PM
Post #2 of 7
(1691 views)
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Re: 1997 Toyota trouble starting occasionally
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Trying to read between lines for this. Is engine cranking at normal speeds when it doesn't start? Have you checked alternator output? That an battery cable connections - both ends. Could be several things to check.
Oil leak: What was it? Did it run so low you got warnings? Is that fixed and if a leak what got soaked in oil?
T
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ISHKABBIBLE
Novice
Jul 10, 2010, 5:55 PM
Post #3 of 7
(1686 views)
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Re: 1997 Toyota trouble starting occasionally
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The engine is cranking normally it just stops short of turning over and is quieter like it is weaker the I wait a few minutes and it works again. I haven't checked the alternator output no, I don't have equipment to do that (or knowledge) I would have to pay someone to do it or learn how myself (which I would rather). I don't see how battery connections would be a problem never have been before I can go look at them but battery tested good a few months ago and power to car is the same as always.
The oil leak is what it was haven't had it checked because I haven't had a chance to. It has run low enough for warning lights before a long while back (months) and hasn't since I've been keeping a good eye on it all the time. Leak is not fixed, it is a bad leak too needs oil once a week or it'll go below Low on dipstick inside two weeks.
Thx for reply
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 10, 2010, 6:07 PM
Post #4 of 7
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Re: 1997 Toyota trouble starting occasionally
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Battery cables and connections are routine to need attention - happens all the time and this is going on 14 years old.
Please avoid the term "turn over" as that to mechanics just means the car is on it's roof. Rather just words like "cranks" or "cranks but doesn't start" or doesn't crank normally.
Gotta fix the oil leak. Running out of oil is GAME OVER for that engine or any. If it just started with an oil change it's probably a drain plug or filter problem - NBD - an engine is!
When was the last timing belt job?
T
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ISHKABBIBLE
Novice
Jul 10, 2010, 8:27 PM
Post #5 of 7
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Re: 1997 Toyota trouble starting occasionally
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Ah in my defense I've only just started learning about cars and I'm trying to become my own (much cheaper) mechanic and do small jobs myself so I'll call it "crank" when I take it in.
It had an oil leak before the oil change it just got a lot worse after. I actually bought a replacement plug for my car and I'm going to do the oil change myself this time and replace it in about 400 miles but I guess I could do it sooner and I don't know about the timing belt off hand I'll have to check tomorrow.
First car and nothing but a Haynes repair book and the internet to teach me anything so I apologize if what I say doesn't entirely make sense...
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 11, 2010, 3:55 AM
Post #6 of 7
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Re: 1997 Toyota trouble starting occasionally
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Nothing wrong with learing about cars - even if very new to it. You have books and the whole web available. When in doubt - ASK or find what you need to know - mistakes are costly.
That word "Turn over" means different things. To some the car does nothing and to others it turns but wont start. The two problems would be approached differently.
Basics for starting are that it must turn/crank the engine. If not we find out battery, starter or connections first. When it cranks and doesn't start you generally narrow it down to -- is it lacking spark or lacking fuel. Either can be involved but nice to focus on one of the two and sometimes dumb luck it's both!
Timing belts are mandatory to be replaced on a schedule! Read you owner's manual but most will suggest every 60,000 miles or so. The real trouble with using rubber belts for turning the valve train which is what it's doing is that MANY engines when they break the valves stop in place while the engine (lower end= block, pistons etc.,) keep turning and it collides inside bending valves, up to possible major destruction of the engine! Each one will be different and need different approaches and tools. For just getting started try to just know its done or get that HIGH on the list to do. Perhaps a shop will allow you to observe and find out any specific tools you need for that car - that will vary with assorted cars that use "Timing Belts."
Those can also jump before they break! Timing is not just when the spark plugs fire but the valves being on time too. Absolutely critical!
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Try to determine whether engine is lacking spark or lacking fuel for now and you need to catch it when it misbehaves or results will likely show it's good.
A spark tester is best. Use carb cleaner or starting fluid in throttle body if you suspect lack of fuel that would give it a moment of run time if fuel was not being delivered for any reason was the problem.
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Basic tools: Sockets and wrenches. For starters a set (make sure you have 16 and 18mm as some sets don't include them) combination wrenches, deep and short 3/8th drive sockets. You'll find you need both and sometimes 10 styles of each!
Oil filter wrench or wrenches - different styles to those too and some are more adapable to assorted sizes and tricky locations. A good drain pan with a spout so you can pour used oil back into another container to proper disposal easily. Mark containers "used oil" as it can't be used again for anything else if contaminated with some products so keep it in original containers or a good oil resistant something that will hold it. It's still a useful product used not just a good dubie thing!
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I'm worried about this oil leak. Of the two likely things if this happened with an oil change is the drain plug and gasket (crossed threads, missing gasket or more there) and the oil filter being correct, old rubber gasket known off the engine, clean surface for new one and not cross threaded either. They almost all go ON by hand force only about 3/4 to one turn from when you feel gasket touch. Don't overtighten them as that can cause a leak and make it hell to remove. Many you can add oil to filter first minimizing time engine takes to fill it first when first starter after a change which helps. Oil is mandatory for you engine. It wouldn't last but a mile or a few without it! Don't trust lights to tell you when but DO check it yourself by the dipstick on a schedule with used or older cars especially.
If you find threads for drain plug or if oil filter threads or where it screw on is messed up now it would be treated as a repair and not routine. With care - that should NEVER happen.
Oil change interval should also mean checking all fluid levels and use approved fluids for the specific vehicle. Owner's manual should list out what it requires for what and CAPACITIES so keep it handy and if you don't have it go get one for that exact car.
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Back to the problem at hand. Keep oil in safe range and get that fixed at once AND find out about the timing belt. Have a way to check for spark and products to check for fuel issues ready when it misbehaves and note which is lacking as best you can. In that it can behave this could be a bit inconclusive at first.
Where has oil been leaking? Is it just making a mess or are engine items getting wet with oil constantly? It could be a lead as to what isn't liking that.
Go ahead and start a thread on wanting to do your own maintenance and getting started with that. You should get lots of suggestions from several here. I dare say we were NOT born with wrenches in our hands so we all started from scratch.
I'll add now to know when it's not worth doing some things yourself because of tool/equipment expense or high end know how and high risk if a mistake is made there will be things the best way is to get that stuff done so find a good shop to cooperate with you,
Tom
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ISHKABBIBLE
Novice
Jul 11, 2010, 10:24 AM
Post #7 of 7
(1664 views)
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Re: 1997 Toyota trouble starting occasionally
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They did scratch the pan and plug up really badly like they were fighting it. I'm guessing they didn't have a 16 hex wrench which is why I couldn't do it myself. All the oil is pooling when I park none on the engine that I can see nor near the oil filter. I'm going to take it in to get looked at on Tuesday and check the timing belt as well as the oil leak if I can. I'll get started on looking for a good set of wrenches of my own. Thx.
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