Ever since I bought the car, it seems to be hard starting. Get in, turn the key and i can hold it for 5-10 seconds and longer and no fire up. Usually the second time i turn the key, turns over for about 3-4 seconds and starts. Sometimes it stumbles around 500 RPMS then dies. Turn over again and runs good. Does anyone else have this problem? What could cause this? Really irritating... Help Please.

 

Is it only in damp weather? That's usualy an indicator of bad spark plug wires... um.. maybe your coil?

Do you know the last time your wires were changed?

 

opti, intake leak, plug-wires. Please share when u find it.

 

If we assume you mean the engine rotates with the starter but does not fire up. Look at the fuel system. Usually 2 things can happen in the fuel system that will give you hard starting. Either lack of fuel, as in it's draining away from the engine or too much fuel as in flooding it. Based on what you said about once it starts, it stumbles for while, it would seem as though your engine is flooding when you shut it off. Once started, it takes a while to burn off the fuel puddle.

First and foremost, if you are flooding it is important to check the oil right away for a fuel smell. Not only is this dangerous, it can damage critical bearings. The next thing to check is the vacuum line going to the fuel pressure regulator. See if it's wet and if not check it by applying a vacuum to the hose while it's connected at the other end to the regulator. If you get fuel from it, the diaphragm inside it is ruptured and could be causing your problem by allowing fuel to get sucked through the vacuum line directly into the intake. However, this would give you a performance problem and very poor fuel economy. Doubt it is your problem unless you noticed these things but it very easy to check and should be.

More than likely, your problem is caused by a sticky injector. The easiest thing to do is have your injectors professionally cleaned on the rail with a cleaner like 3M. Run a can or 2 through the system and that should do it. You could also have them cleaned and flow tested off the car. It's not hard to remove the fuel rails with the injectors connected and infact if you do this, you can test them yourself to see which if any are leaking. Simply remove the bolts holding the fuel rails down and gently pull each injector up out of the intake until all the nozzles are visible. Have someone inside cycle power KOEO for 2 seconds at a time and view them to see if any are leaking. You could also apply 12 volts to the fuel pump prime connector located by the PCM so you don't have to keep doing KOEO cycling.

Good luck to you

Dave

 

Could a poor battery do this? My Odometer and Radio just reset..... I am replacing the battery tomorrow and see what happens. Wires have never been replaced due to they only have 27,000 miles on them now. They will be changed this spring when I do a Cam and header install.

 

i had a hard starting problem, only occasionally when i first got my car. it eventually turned into a no-start situation and i had to have it towed. the cause....bad fuel pump. had been going in and out not maintaining pressure and/or building it fast enough.

 

I don't know what it is.... Havent changed the battery, but what would cause the car to turn over, not start until the 2nd or 3rd turn of the key, and cause the radio clock to reset and odometer to reset? Confusing to me?

 

with radio re-setting i'd try replacing the battery. you can test the battery by putting a voltmeter on it while the car isn't running. it should read mid 12's. have a friend start the car, the voltage should not drop below 10, if it does, battery may be problem. However, also check voltage while car is idling. should be in the mid 14's. if voltage is low, alternator may be the problem. i.e. voltage reading of 11 on a running car clearly illustrates a bad alternator.

 

hard start is usually attributed to fuel pump, easiest way to tell is put a fuel pressure gauge on it. If u prime it (turn key and dont start) and the pressure goes to 40ish and stays there then itsnot your problem. If it starts to fall u have a broken hose coming out of the fuel pump. Unsure about the odometer and clock radio deal? -Michael

 

My hard starting troubles and stumbling were all cured when we installed a Racetronix fuel setup in my car.