3s-gte (Caldina) mysteriously stopped working. Please help!

[ReQuieM]

Hey guys, The new Caldina decided to stop working yesterday morning before work. With a 5 sec look over be fore running to PT I assumed it was the timing belt as it was due. Got it towed to toyota to swap the belt over as I don't have time to do it and I found out last night that the belt is still intact. So I'm hoping someone on here can give me some clues as to what it might be?

Basically, I went to start it, caught for a second or two then died. I remember a rough noise as it stopped, but I'm not sure if thats my memory exaggerating it. After that I went to start it again, starter span quickly and easily, no indication of catching or compression (again a very quick check before I had to run, so there may have been compression but I wasn't able to identify any sounds to suggest there was at the time). The accessory belt is turning over so the starter is engaging but nothing else from there.

Toyota is checking the basics for me, fuel, spark and compress, but they have said if they can't easily identify the problem, the wont touch it as its a grey import.

So failing suggestions as to what it could be, could some one suggest a mechanic that could quickly get it on road? Desperate for a car on road right now.

Cheers

[thechuckster]

Any error codes on the dash (e.g. check engine line flashing with Ign on)?

[ReQuieM]

Thanks for the reply man, didn't get a chance to check for codes before I had to bolt.

But I've just heard from the workshop then, they have got it running. They said that too much fuel stripped the oil from the bores and caused the compression loss. Didn't offer a reason as to why there was too much fuel in there tho. I'll give it an oil and filter change tonight to clear out the excess fuel.

My first thought as to why is about the cold start. Maybe it dumped more fuel then was needed? It certainly didn't spend long trying to start so it wasn't 'flooded'. If anyone has some ideas that I could check out, please let me know!

At the mo, I'm just happy I've got the car back for the funeral on thursday. So I can spend some time diagnose the problem at home at my own leisure.

[ReQuieM]

So just picked up the car. Filled it up on saturday, now the tank is empty... Only drove it twice since filling it up and even then not more then a quarter of a tank worth of fuel.

Just another part to the mystery...

[thechuckster]

injector(s) stuck open?

if it has 'washed' the bores with far too much petrol, I'd be concerned about the condition of rings.

[nuk1ear]

True, depends how long those injectors have been stuffed for (if they are). Start by checking the codes and checking spark plugs too (bit of a hassel with the intercooler i know, but maybe you can access number 1 or 4 without removing the cooler).

[allencr]

How's the oil level & fragrance?