my car 'coughs' when starting....

[widster]

As above really. When i first start my mk1 whatever the time of day or weather it seems to 'miss' or 'cough' for a few seconds before settling down to even running thereafter. When the car is started later the same day there is no problem.

It doesn't cause me any real problems but i would like to get it sorted if i can. It has been like this for 5 years plus now. My car has done almost 140k but is well serviced and in the recent past has had new spark plugs, leads, distributor cap, oil and all filters. The cold start injector was checked and is fine. I don't know what else to try?

Here is a link (if it works) to a 20sec video on youtube:-

http://youtu.be/oliYeO6mFLY

Any comments appreciated although not about my camera work!

Cheers
Widster

[un1eash]

Does it do it if you give it some gas before starting, sounds like its just struggling a bit before the choke kicks in. Wouldnt have thought it was the cold injector as mines been disconnected for years and it made no difference at all.

[Boddney]

Thats your starter motor getting stuck in. Mine does that if it's been stood for a few weeks.
YAY I actually know the answer to someones question. How clever do I feel?????????????? Thanks for asking the question widster.

[widster]

Does it do it if you give it some gas before starting, sounds like its just struggling a bit before the choke kicks in. Wouldnt have thought it was the cold injector as mines been disconnected for years and it made no difference at all.

Thanks for the response. I think you're right that it is a fuel issue and I will press the accelerator a few times tomorrow before starting and report back.

[widster]

Thats your starter motor getting stuck in. Mine does that if it's been stood for a few weeks.
YAY I actually know the answer to someones question. How clever do I feel?????????????? Thanks for asking the question widster.

Sorry to disappoint but i'm pretty sure it's not the starter as it happens after the engine has started.

[Boddney]

I'm pretty sure it is the starter. That whine that it makes that gets faster as the engine runs is the starter getting dragged along as the engine picks up speed.

[widster]

It doesn't make a whine. It's more of a spluttering noise that lasts for a few seconds and only first time it is started. You may be right but I've always thought most likely a fuel issue? Perhaps someone else may be able to comment as I can't imagine this hasn't happened before?

[vinnyninja]

Timing ?? could have knocked out when you changed your cap

[widster]

Timing ?? could have knocked out when you changed your cap

The timing was checked when the cap was changed and is fine. The car runs fine, just this initial noise and spluttering when first started.

[g.lewarne]

My mk2 na does this as well and I have yet to figure it out, even changed whole ignition system from ignitor inwards, new fuel filter and pump

[widster]

My mk2 na does this as well and I have yet to figure it out, even changed whole ignition system from ignitor inwards, new fuel filter and pump

At least I'm not on my own. As these cars have been around for a while now I was sure someone would have had this problem and worked out what it was but maybe it is just one of those things that 'they do'!

[Jaspa]

All mine have done it. Just put it down to a mk1 Wheeze.

[elbon50]

Probably tempting fate now but mine has never done that

Starts & runs like a dream

Peter

[g.lewarne]

My mk2 na does this as well and I have yet to figure it out, even changed whole ignition system from ignitor inwards, new fuel filter and pump

At least I'm not on my own. As these cars have been around for a while now I was sure someone would have had this problem and worked out what it was but maybe it is just one of those things that 'they do'!

not sure if the mk1 engines are the same, but in a couple of months im booking my car into toyota to get the valve clearance shims measured + changed as necessary as car approaching 100k, if its any better after that i will be sure to let you know its the only thing left i can think of

[elbon50]

My mk2 na does this as well and I have yet to figure it out, even changed whole ignition system from ignitor inwards, new fuel filter and pump

At least I'm not on my own. As these cars have been around for a while now I was sure someone would have had this problem and worked out what it was but maybe it is just one of those things that 'they do'!

not sure if the mk1 engines are the same, but in a couple of months im booking my car into toyota to get the valve clearance shims measured + changed as necessary as car approaching 100k, if its any better after that i will be sure to let you know its the only thing left i can think of

Could you not measure the valve clearances yourself g.lewarne ?

Take it to the pros by all means if the gaps are out of spec

Peter

[widster]

My mk2 na does this as well and I have yet to figure it out, even changed whole ignition system from ignitor inwards, new fuel filter and pump

At least I'm not on my own. As these cars have been around for a while now I was sure someone would have had this problem and worked out what it was but maybe it is just one of those things that 'they do'!

not sure if the mk1 engines are the same, but in a couple of months im booking my car into toyota to get the valve clearance shims measured + changed as necessary as car approaching 100k, if its any better after that i will be sure to let you know its the only thing left i can think of

Yes, would be interested to know if that sorts it. Is your car affected just when starting? As I said before I can live with it as doesn't affect car after initial 10 seconds or so buy would be nice to sort.

[widster]

All mine have done it. Just put it down to a mk1 Wheeze.

Oh right. One of the mysteries of the mk1. Still would like to know why though. Bet Paul Woods the mk1 mystic knows the answer......

[g.lewarne]

At least I'm not on my own. As these cars have been around for a while now I was sure someone would have had this problem and worked out what it was but maybe it is just one of those things that 'they do'!

not sure if the mk1 engines are the same, but in a couple of months im booking my car into toyota to get the valve clearance shims measured + changed as necessary as car approaching 100k, if its any better after that i will be sure to let you know its the only thing left i can think of

Could you not measure the valve clearances yourself g.lewarne ?

Take it to the pros by all means if the gaps are out of spec

Peter

i could measure them yes, but since the only cars i have ever had/worked on have had

- old style screw+nut manual valve clearance adjusters
- hydraulic tappets

i have never worked on the "shim under bucket" arrangement so dont really know how its done

[toxo]

I'd have thought if your valve clearences needed doing you'd be able to hear it tapping... Not as obviously as an old rocker engine but you should still be able to hear it!

These pages have lots of photos and infos on Toyota valve shims and clearances on engines that use the shim-over-bucket design. It's the wrong engine but the pics, tools and theory is the same:

http://planetsoarer.com/camshafts/camshaft2.html
http://planetsoarer.com/camshafts/camshaft3.html
http://planetsoarer.com/camshafts/camshaft4.html

Rev3+ MK2 engines use shim under bucket but rev1 and 2 are shim over bucket IIRC and so is the MK1 (same as the 1UZ in the pages I linked to). This is a conversation for a different thread though as this is the MK1 forum

[widster]

I'd have thought if your valve clearences needed doing you'd be able to hear it tapping... Not as obviously as an old rocker engine but you should still be able to hear it!

I agree. Don't think the valve clearances causes my 'coughing' noise.