14 Corolla D4D - Engine Query

Josuke

I was looking at a Corolla today and the engine seemed to tick over initially for roughly 1.5 seconds before starting. It happened on all three occasions I started it. I queried this with the dealer and seemingly it's something that he's seen with other Toyotas too. It just passed the NCT and is in good shape otherwise.

Is it typical for Toyotas to do this, and is the Luna 1.4d held in good regard? I tried looking at videos for the same cars starting, but I don't have a reference point and can't tell whether I'm being overcautious or not

bazz26

Could be the battery and the current cold weather especially if the car hasn't been started reguarly sitting on a dealer forecourt. But go look at another one or 2 and see if they behave the same way. There are loads of these for sale.

Josuke

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120332891#Comment_120332891

Good shout, there are plenty out there as you say

Birka

It's not normal. Could well be a tired battery, wrong oil or maybe a glowplug issue.

It's a good engine, once it's maintained properly. On older Corollas, the gearbox can give trouble so if you're driving it, make sure that the gearchanges are smooth both when the (gearbox) oil is cold and again when its warmed up a bit.

As Bazz said, there are plenty out there. Some of them are victims of their own reliability and are run into the ground but a well maintained one will be relatively hassle free.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058287478/14-corolla-d4d-engine-query

1.5 or 15 seconds? If 1.5 seconds I don't think its something to worry about.

1.4 D4D is a very reliable engine once serviced routinely.

Josuke

This very much to both of you. Yep the reviews and reputation certainly would give confidence. I'll definitely give another look at the car and I'm planning to test drive another today to compare. It's such a minefield, but it's definitely worth looking into all of these things rather than being burned