sometimes when i start my car it has trouble turning over....i always let the fuel pump do its thing too before i try and start it, but sometimes it still takes it a couple seconds to catch and then the rpm's will struggle a bit to get up, most likely having to burn off some extra fuel, cause i get some black stuff coming out of the exhaust for a second whenever it happens. i just changed the fuel pump, so could this be the fuel filter or ignition or injectors or what? lately it's been starting up clean everytime, but it's done it off and on for a while now....any thoughts?

 

Mine is doing about the same thing, except it does it every time, unless you start it back up within about 5 minutes. It starts hard in the morning and takes several cranks and pushing the accelerator down a little. I smell a rich smell also when it starts. I just bought it a month ago and it started right up for about 3 days and then started taking about 20 cranks to start.

Also, it will idle fine for about 2 minutes and then it starts to get a lope in the idle, almost like it had an aftermarket cam. It does it at stop lights after you sit there for about a minute or so, too. It feels like it's missing, but the check engine light has never come on and I know the light is good.

It seems to run fine otherwise and gets about 28mpg.

I removed the IAC valve and cleaned it, but that didn't help. I did some checks on the MAF sensor and it seems like it isn't working. I can actually disconnect it when it's idleing and there is absolutley no change at all in idle quality.

I love the car and it hasn't died or quit on me yet, but I'm thinking it going to get worse as time goes on. Has anyone had the same problem and can give me help on whats wrong??
Thanks

 

Well it looks like I didn't clean the IAC very well the first time. I took it out again yesterday and checked it out again under the magnifier. There was still a bunch of crud in the slots. I pulled the shaft out this time and cleaned it again and lightly oiled it. Rough idle problem solved!!! Old eyes don't see as well as they used to I guess.

Still wants to start hard though, but that's better too, and a lot less black smoke at startup. For $27 buck at Auto Zone I have a new one coming tomorrow. Hopefully that will fix it all.

Maybe that's your problem also. It's worth a try and doesn't take much time. The book says not to push the shaft back in by hand if its used though. It could damage the valve. I did't have much choice, so I tried to just use enough force to very slowly move it back to less than an inch from the tip to where it sits on the intake. Then you're supposed to start it up, run for 5 seconds, turn it off for 10 seconds, and restart it. That recalibrates the computer to its actual position and thats it.

Hope this helps.