QuestionHi Ted! I'm Norman from the Philippines. I have a 96 corolla -- 2E engine family (1.3L), carbureted, 121K mileage. It's really hard to cold start. But when it starts, it's fine. I can shut it down, turn it on again and it starts in 1 click. There's no hint of a problem when the engine's warm. The problem comes back when it sits for a while, say 7hrs onwards, when the engine seems to have really cooled off.
During cold starts, I noticed that the engine oil light is ON for like 25sec of continuous cranking (engine cranks normally--it's not a slow cranking) -- I've checked the engine oil level before I started turning the car on and it's almost topped-up. During the time when the engine oil light turns off, this is when the engine seems to want to fire. 3 to 5sec later, the engine fires and eventually starts. The whole process, which took maybe 28-30sec is the shortest time to cold start my car. Sometimes it takes longer and with several attempts. A little white smoke from the exhaust comes off when it starts. Sometimes, there's none.
I've had the engine tuned-up and adjusted it's choke setting. The battery, fuel filter, and spark plugs are new. The carburetor is not new although I had it cleaned. But the problem's still there... What's wrong with my car? Please help! Thanks in advance!
AnswerTry replacing the oil pressure sending unit on the block and see if that helps. It also sounds like the choke is out of adjustment or not closing, when the engine is cold remove the top of the air cleaner and step on the accelerator pedal all the way once, the choke plate should be almost fully closed.
