Rav4 D4d - Starting Problem

[jpfox]

Hello everyone, I'm a new member.

I purchased a RAV4 D4D new in November 2002. It has 35,000 miles at present.

For the last 12 months or so, the car has developed a starting problem, on the first startup from cold in the morning. The symptoms are:

Very slow crank speed

Only happens on 1st startup - ok on subsequent starts

Worse when ambient temperature is low or car left of 3-4 days unused

The electrical system has been ruled out and the Battery replaced under warranty.

I think the problem is poor compression?

Any advice will be most welcome.

[Kelvyn]

Could be something as simple as an earthing problem. Make sure that the engine earth strap has a good connection at both ends, take it off and clean up the strap and its contact points on the engine and body if necessary. A bad earth means that circuit continuity will be hard to obtain, effectively its like putting a resistor between the Battery and starter motorIt could also be a bad starter motor I suppose. Its unlikely to be poor compression I think, if the compression was low then the starter would find it easier to turn the engine. For the compression to make a difference it would have to increase, like if the head gasket fails, sometimes a cylinder will partially fill with coolant, so the engine turns normally till it gets to that cylinder then almost stalls because the fluid cant be compressed.

[jpfox]

Thanks for the advice Kelvyn, I hadn't thought of the engine earth strap as a potential problem. The thing is though, the problem only occurs on the first start, after a period of standing. Subsequent starts during the day will be fine. If it was the engine earth strap, would the problem not be consistent with every startup? Just a thought.

The problem is, and it is common these days, garages don't really take the time or make an effort to fix fiddly problems - the customer just gets the run around.

Anyway, thanks for taking the time to reply.

John

[Treuno]

As it is still under warrenty take it back to your dealer!!! :) ;)!

I work for Toyota but have never had a similar fault to what you have!

But i can tell you one thing, it wont be compression! If it was poor compression it wouldnt be slow to start!

[jpfox]

I've booked it in with the dealership on Monday next week.

A few days ago, when I started the car, the radio cleared all its memory stations which would indicate a loss of power to the unit.

I think this points to an electricial problem and may give a clue as to the cause of the starting problem.