Please Help! (1994 4Runner Gas Smell)

[ellis]

Ok,

I have a 1994 4Runner (185K miles), and when the engine is warming up, I'm getting white smoke, and a bad fuel smell in the engine compartment. There's no visible fuel leak, and it all goes away once the engine is warm.

The dealership says I need new injectors ($200 a pop), because one of them is leaking fuel into the cyclinder on coold down and the problem is burning excess fuel when I start it in the morning.

I've heard and read this before, but I've also seen other possible solutions (charcoal canister, sensors, etc).

Anyone have any suggestions on how to narrow down the problem before shelling out mad money to put in injectors. I hate to do that and it not fix the problem.

Please advise, if it's injectors I'm tempted to try myself, but man that engine is a PITA to work on

 

[bigbsvo]

Are you sure your not dealing with a coolant leak? The heater flow control valve is a common failure part that leaks coolant onto the exhaust crossover pipe at the very back side of the engine, you cant see the pipe cause it's tucked away but if the control valve drips coolant onto it then you'll get the smoke you describe.

Did the dealer diag it for you and know for sure it's an injector or did you just call them and talk to them without them actually seeing the vehicle?

 

[ellis]

I took it to the dealer, and they told me it was the injectors, however, I also know sometimes they choose the most expensive option. I don't think it's a coolant leak, because the smoke goes away, and wouldn't account for the fuel smell. I'll definitely look at that though.

 

[bigbsvo]

Use caution

I took it to the dealer, and they told me it was the injectors, however, I also know sometimes they choose the most expensive option. I don't think it's a coolant leak, because the smoke goes away, and wouldn't account for the fuel smell. I'll definitely look at that though.

Just use caution with this problem, you need to have a fire extinguisher very handy because the last thing you need now is to have the fuel catch on fire and burn your truck to the ground, or even worse your house if your in your garage.

I would be surprised if an injector is leaking. Haven't seen that happen on any Toyota I've worked on and I've had hundreds and hundreds come through my shop over the years.

I am thinking that your leak may be coming from the fuel pressure regulator at the back side of the passenger side fuel rail. You can take a mirror, start the truck or even have someone just cycle the key on and off on and off to build up fuel pressure while you observe the regulator for leaks.

There is also a plastic fuel line that feeds the cold start injector on the upper plenum, it could be that the line has cracked and is leaking.

Just be extra cautious while diaging this problem, when a fuel fire starts under the hood it really ruins your day, week, month, year, ect.

Bryan

 

[ellis]

I'll take a look at that after lunch, I've yet to physically see any gas dripping anywhere, but the smell is stronger on the passenger side so that's definitely a possibility. It may just be evaporating too fast.

The only reason the internal injector leak made sense is because the smell dies down after the engine is warm and the smoke stops....it's the wierdest thing =\

 

[bigbsvo]

So, is the smoke coming from under the hood or out the tailpipe? If the injector was leaking internally you would have driveability issues, it would flood out the cylinder and wash out the spark, foul the spark plug and blow black smoke out of the tail pipe and not white smoke.

How is it running? When you start it cold is it running smooth or rough?

 

[ellis]

It's running ok, the smoke is from the tailpipe

 

[bigbsvo]

Tailpipe?

It's running ok, the smoke is from the tailpipe

How heavy is the smoke? You do know the history of head gasket failure on these V6 engines, right?

I'm starting to think you have more then one issue here, sounds like you could have a bad head gasket as well as a fuel leak.

You really need to diag the fuel leak deeper then the dealer did, like I said before I'd put my money on the regulator as the fuel leak, and now the rest of my cash is going towards the head gasket or gaskets.

If it does need head gaskets you can fix the fuel leak at the same time since the top of the engine needs to be torn down.

Hope I'm wrong.

 

[ellis]

I had the headgasket, timing belt, etc replaced in 2008, and I didn't drive it at all in 2009 (was in Iraq)

Oh, and the smoke is only when I start it when it's cold, when it warms up, the gas smell and smoke stops.

It does use a little oil, but no external oil leaks.

 

[2Walker5RS]

White smoke (steam/condensation) out the tail pipe on start up for a min or so is normal... Especially in colder climates.. It will peeter off after a few min of warming up.

 

[fourwd1]

The gas smell could be from a bad o-ring on one of the injectors. You can get o-rings from the dealer.