My 2004 Toyota Camry with 62,000 miles will not start right away every once in a while.....like 2 or 3 times in a month. No particular pattern that I recognize - happened last night at the airport: pulled in to pick up my son and 30 minutes later it would crank put not fire. Tried about 5 times and then after letting it sit for a minute or two it fired right up. Same pattern when it has happened in the past. Could this be a fuel injector problem? Maybe I will run some injector cleaner through the gas. Thanks for any tips if this sounds familiar!

 

...when was it last serviced

plugs ,leads , fuel filter

 

I believe it has a self cleaning fuel filter that does not require changing and I wasn't planning on changing the plugs and wires since it only has 62,000 miles on the engine. I put a can of sea foam in the gas and bought some spray for cleaning the MAF sensor so will see how that does. If I have the problem again will have it serviced.....Thanks

 

i would check battery condition and age... also the alternator charging

my research
I cant find for sale any self cleaning fuel filter for any toyota passenger vehicle 4 cyl or V6

some thing to check on yours

if you need either the pump and filter replaced to sort the starting problem

the attachments will help you

under the back seat in the tank the filter with the fuel pump

not sure if the 2004 has a metal can type in the engine bay

 

Thanks, Will take a look at those things....

 

I put a couple cans of "Seafoam" into the gas when filling up (around $8-12 and 1 can per tank of gas) and it seems to have helped....but my problem is a little different in that once it fires up it runs perfectly - no sputtering at all. Good Luck!

 

hammond
20 minutes is way too long ... you will burn out the starter in quick time

the fuel pump relay must be working to get a start and run

after the seafoam and if still not a quick start

a fuel delivery fault has to be checked ....then spark

a 1999 V6 camry

your filter is a tin can type in the engine bay .throw away part ..... replace it .if not done recently

and the 1999 has an In tank electric fuel pump under the back seat

Camry 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 fuel pump replacement

 

Does the car have a security system requiring a key FOB to be near the ign lock for engine to start?

Also check fuel pump relay (C/OPN) located in relay box, engine compartment, drivers side engine compartment.