Help!!! 3rz tough to start when cold

[Toon]

Hi guys,

I recently purchased a 2004 Hilux with a 3RZ-FE in and it is very hard to start when cold. It generally will fire up and run but it splutters until you have pushed on and off the accelerator a few times, it really just seems like it wants to die until it warms up a little. Once it is warm it will start right up and idle perfectly, but as soon as it is let to cool down for long enough it is back to it's non easy starting ways!

I have compression tested it and all cylinders got about 160psi. I have cleaned the MAF sensor. I have also checked the valve clearances and they do seem pretty tight on both the intake and exhaust sides, I plan to shim them into spec if I can, but what I would like to know is if tight clearances can cause the cold starting issues? Any help would be appreciated as to what else I should be checking...

Cheers,

Justin

[alan.chalkley]

When was the last oil and filter change?
Thick sludged up oil causes a lot of cold start issues.

[litldv8]

what did you clean the maf with?
not carb clean i hope!