Engine Spunder Upon Starting!!! Help

[me19711980]

I'm not a mechanic, but I'm trying to find out what is wrong with my 2004 Toyota 4Runner. This all started about a month or so ago, when I have started my car up (after it sits for a couple of hours), the engine "spunders" and then after a few seconds (about 10 or so) it catches and runs fine. The check engine light (along with the 2 VSC senors) come on, but other then that it runs great. I took it in to a local garage and they charged me $468 to change out the spark plugs and do some other stuff, but the problem came back about a week later. The mechanic at the garage wanted to do a $110 commercial "flush", but I thought that it wasn't necessary, so I declined it.

So I guess what I'm asking is, does anyone know what might be wrong so I can tell them at the shop to look somewhere else since they didn't take care of it the first time? Also do you think it maybe the fuel injector? (note: I also added Chevron Techron to a tank of gas to see if that would help, but it didn't)

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions.

MB

 

[me19711980]

Still Need Help

Anyone?

 

[88mustanggt]

what were the codes that came up?

 

[boondoggle]

How is the vehicle normally used?

Do you take it in mud/water often?

 

[me19711980]

what were the codes that came up?

The VSC TRAC codes and engine light.

 

[me19711980]

How is the vehicle normally used?

Do you take it in mud/water often?

Back and forth to work. No mud or water. keep it in my garage.

 

[Troymclure]

V6 or v8?

 

[helo-mech]

what were the codes that came up?

The VSC TRAC codes and engine light.

Take it to autozone or your favorite auto parts store and have them "check the codes". The VSC TRAC and Check Engine Light (CEL) are just the in dash indicators that the truck is having an issue. The CEL code will narrow down the suggestions you get here.

Unfortunately this combination of lights is not a good sign when coupled with the "rough at start-up" symptom you indicated you have. Especially if you have a V6. However, before we go down that road and point to you to a very long list of posts to read, get your codes checked and let us know what they are.

 

[me19711980]

Thanks for the information.

 

[earthrealm]

v6, rough idle, dtc codes usually = heag gasket problem..........sorry to be the bearer of bad news....check ur coolant level, and see if there is any drop

 

[earthrealm]

so how did it go?...any updates