car wont start after driving for 10+ minutes

[Bryan LaTraverse]

I have a 1.8L 95 Corolla that’s been giving me issues for the past 2 weeks. (The wagon edition so I’m reluctant to give this baby up)

Problem:
After driving the car for 15 + minutes, I have to wait anywhere from 10-25 minutes to start the car back up again. Depending on how long I’ve driven for. So the car is having trouble starting on a warm engine is what I’m saying.

At first the car started normally in the morning, but as of late the first start of the day is a little rough. It’ll crank normally for a second, do a very quick pause, crank again and start right up. It always starts cold though.

I’ve played around with it a little and after letting the car sit for an hour after driving is when it starts best; and by best I mean like normal. If I let it run for a minute then try starting it again the second start isn’t as strong and takes a second longer.

3 weeks before this started happening I forgot to put my oil cap back on… Drove for half an hour and when I got out I noticed Oil was all over the front of my car. It was also all over the engine. I wiped off what I could, but not sure if this could have affected the wiring at all.

Next time I’m out I’m going to hit the starter with a hammer to see if it’s the starter solenoid getting stuck. I’ve also ordered a new coolant temp sensor since it’s a cheap part.

Keep in mind I’m not familiar with the engine, so I don’t know where some things are. However I’ve done all the work on the car myself up until now, and I’m not planning on paying a garage. I did take it to a shop and they said it was the distributor, but they also didn’t test anything and gave me a $600 estimate to replace it…

Any help / advice is greatly appreciated, Thanks!

Topic

[Its me]

These ignition coils are known pattern failures to crack and the symptom is a difficult warm/hot start… Have seen this many, many times… Symptoms are exactly as you are describing…

Here is a pic of a cracked coil in the distributor…(the orange part with ‘Toyota’ spelled on it that is upside down) It is an easy part to replace. Toyota distributors are not known for going bad… All that garage will probably do is replace the coil for $50 in 10 minutes and charge you $600…

Betcha a sixpack that is your issue…

Also, if your starter is turning fine, do not bother hitting the solenoid. That is only when the vehicle does not turn over…(I.E. starter does not work).

Also don’t blindly replace parts. The temp sensor units in this model are pretty robust…

Just remove your distributor cap and rotor and inspect the coil..

-Karl

[Bryan LaTraverse]

Thanks for the response, I’ll take a look at it tomorrow. Will any aftermarket one do or is it smart to get one from toyota?

Pack of Busch light tall boys comin your way if that’s the problem

[Bryan LaTraverse]

Ok so this morning the car wouldn’t start at all. It cranked normally but never fired up. I pulled off the distributor and it has no crack in the coil. (see below)

Any thoughts or suggestions on what to do next?

Attachments:

• distrib.jpg

[Bryan LaTraverse]

Update again. Just tested for spark and it has one. Not sure whether or not its weak but I took a video of it.

Hopefully you guys are able to watch it.

[Bryan LaTraverse]

Compression Test Results:

1: 140
2: 100
3: 120
4: 105

Car currently is not starting at all, but cranks well.

Any suggestions on where to go from here? Should I test fuel pressure or does this signify its a compression issue?

[Bryan LaTraverse]

Just checked the fuel pressure and it went up to 60 psi while I was cranking before falling back down. Book says 31-37 psi.
I checked it on the return line though, would that make a difference?

I also tried putting some starting spray in the carb but it was a no go, ended up backfiring

[Author]

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