raffles
New Member
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2014
- Messages
- 16
- Country Flag
Hello,
I would really appreciate some expertise on this. My 1996 GX (HZJ80, manual) doesn't start when the engine is hot. My mechanic thought this was a problem with the starter motor, so cleaned the brushes and said that would solve it. It seemed to, but only for a bit (or maybe I didn't even get it hot enough to test it properly). I've since changed mechanics due to unrelated reasons, and my current mechanic, who I trust more (though certainly not entirely), is convinced the problem is not to do with the starter motor, but because it has "shida ya overheat" -- Swahili for an overheating-related problem.
He might be right: two years ago it overheated very badly, cracking the cylinder head. I had to buy a new one. Since then, it has been fine, until I had problems with it overheating again, which turned out to be a faulty fan belt clutch. Repaired that, then OK until a few weeks ago. The engine starts fine when cold or moderately warm. When it's hot the temperature needle is horizontal, right in the middle of the gauge, where I'm told it should be, and it doesn't go above that, but if I turn it off and then on again, it doesn't start. It sounds like the starting system is struggling, with that awful lunging sound repeatedly, but not getting to actually start. However a push-start is still possible (by the way, is this bad for the vehicle?). After waiting about 20 minutes in the shade I can also start it again without problems.
The battery is completely new. My mechanic says he might have to open up the engine and that it could well be that when it's hot, the piston(s) are unable to move up and down the sleeves properly due to metal expansion. However, before going down that avenue, I'd like to know what other diagnoses are possible. It might be worth mentioning that the fuel pump malfunctioned a few weeks ago (fuel was leaking from what appeared to be somewhere near the front left of the engine block while running) and my previous mechanic repaired it. The exhaust now emits black smoke when hard accelerating in 3rd, 4th or 5th gear, and I can smell what I assume is unburnt fuel. Current mechanic assures me this is unrelated... but after the problems I've had, I find it hard to trust Tanzanian mechanics.
Thank you in advance,
Rafael
P.S. Please forgive any errors in terminology, as you may have gathered I'm not very knowledgeable about the 1HZ... or cars in general
I would really appreciate some expertise on this. My 1996 GX (HZJ80, manual) doesn't start when the engine is hot. My mechanic thought this was a problem with the starter motor, so cleaned the brushes and said that would solve it. It seemed to, but only for a bit (or maybe I didn't even get it hot enough to test it properly). I've since changed mechanics due to unrelated reasons, and my current mechanic, who I trust more (though certainly not entirely), is convinced the problem is not to do with the starter motor, but because it has "shida ya overheat" -- Swahili for an overheating-related problem.
He might be right: two years ago it overheated very badly, cracking the cylinder head. I had to buy a new one. Since then, it has been fine, until I had problems with it overheating again, which turned out to be a faulty fan belt clutch. Repaired that, then OK until a few weeks ago. The engine starts fine when cold or moderately warm. When it's hot the temperature needle is horizontal, right in the middle of the gauge, where I'm told it should be, and it doesn't go above that, but if I turn it off and then on again, it doesn't start. It sounds like the starting system is struggling, with that awful lunging sound repeatedly, but not getting to actually start. However a push-start is still possible (by the way, is this bad for the vehicle?). After waiting about 20 minutes in the shade I can also start it again without problems.
The battery is completely new. My mechanic says he might have to open up the engine and that it could well be that when it's hot, the piston(s) are unable to move up and down the sleeves properly due to metal expansion. However, before going down that avenue, I'd like to know what other diagnoses are possible. It might be worth mentioning that the fuel pump malfunctioned a few weeks ago (fuel was leaking from what appeared to be somewhere near the front left of the engine block while running) and my previous mechanic repaired it. The exhaust now emits black smoke when hard accelerating in 3rd, 4th or 5th gear, and I can smell what I assume is unburnt fuel. Current mechanic assures me this is unrelated... but after the problems I've had, I find it hard to trust Tanzanian mechanics.
Thank you in advance,
Rafael
P.S. Please forgive any errors in terminology, as you may have gathered I'm not very knowledgeable about the 1HZ... or cars in general
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