Question1993 Toyota Corolla, 1.8 engine, 5-speed manual, sedan.
When the morning outside temperatures are cold (below 20 degrees)I can turn on the ignition and it will crank for nearly 10 seconds before starting. Otherwise, I can turn the ignition on and off for a second or so each time and it will start. When the temperatures are warmer, the cranking time is reduced. Also, once it has been started for the first time each day, it will pop over everytime the rest of the day on the first twist of the key in the ignition. It just takes a long time for the engine to start on the mornings for the first time, and it takes longer the colder it is outside.
Second problem is that once it does start, there is a lot of vibration going on. You can feel the vibration and hear it alot. However, once the car has been driven for 20 minutes or so, the vibration while idling quiets down to almost normal.
Third - After the morning hard start, and vibration, I start to drive, and as I go to accelerate, the car starts bucking/jerking. I can get past the bucking by either letting off the accelerator, by flooring the accelerator, or shifting to a higher gear. It also seems like this bucking/jerking begins to diminish once the car warms up to a normal operating temperature or the temperatures outside are warmer. In other words, the bucking is more frequent and more pronounced when it is colder in the mornings than when the temps are warmer. It will however, buck/jerk regardless of the temperature.
Finally, when the engine is running at normal operating temperatures, at idle and in neutral, I can push down on the engine while it is running, and the vibration will become much more pronounced and can be felt throughout the car.
Do I have multiple problems or what? I suspect a motor mount or two could be causing the vibration and possibly the bucking, but the slow to start on the first start each morning I have no clue. I believe this model has 4 separate motor mounts. Are they easy to change if I do it myself, and if not, what would a dealer charge to replace the mount/mounts for me.
You advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks - Tom
AnswerI don't think motor mounts are the problem because of the starting and engine misfire issues,I would recommend a tune up which would include spark plugs, the wires and distributor cap and rotor along with a new air filter and fuel filter. If when removing the spark plug connectors there is oil on the connectors then the valve cover gasket and the spark plug tube seals need to be replaced.
