Engine Hard to Start
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: California
Engine Hard to Start I have a 98 Trans Am and whenever the car sits for maybe 10 hours or more the engine is hard to start the first time. It will usually crank for about 3-4 seconds before it fires up or wont fire up at all. However after the initial hard start I try it again and it fires up immediately. I replaced the fuel filter, but it had no effect. I heard it could be the ignition relay and/or starter relay, but replaced that and had no effect. What should I try next? I figure it has something to do with the fuel pressure. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Does it sound like this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYdd_eYKzmY
That is my car. I have been told many times it has bad fuel pressure, or fuel pressure regulator. I have an SLP adjustable FPR waiting to go on, but I have not attempted fixing it yet, because I need to install an interior electric fuel pressure gauge, and they're not too cheap. So far, I've never been stranded... So far..
That is my car. I have been told many times it has bad fuel pressure, or fuel pressure regulator. I have an SLP adjustable FPR waiting to go on, but I have not attempted fixing it yet, because I need to install an interior electric fuel pressure gauge, and they're not too cheap. So far, I've never been stranded... So far..
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: California
Does it sound like this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYdd_eYKzmY
That is my car. I have been told many times it has bad fuel pressure, or fuel pressure regulator. I have an SLP adjustable FPR waiting to go on, but I have not attempted fixing it yet, because I need to install an interior electric fuel pressure gauge, and they're not too cheap. So far, I've never been stranded... So far..
That is my car. I have been told many times it has bad fuel pressure, or fuel pressure regulator. I have an SLP adjustable FPR waiting to go on, but I have not attempted fixing it yet, because I need to install an interior electric fuel pressure gauge, and they're not too cheap. So far, I've never been stranded... So far..
I've got a 98 too and I've been having the same problem. I'm thinking either the crank or cam sensor may be going out. I checked for spark while it was cranking and I wasn't getting any spark.
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Mine does the same. I started a thread about starting hard in the cold and some thought it might be the fuel pump (check valve inside it gone bad or something).
JamsTransAm, when you get your system checked would you mind posting about how much it cost?
JamsTransAm, when you get your system checked would you mind posting about how much it cost?
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Verdad Gallardo I would just check the fuel pressure, sitting and running. There is not much more to it, realy. You can also leave the fuel pressure gauge on while driving for a little while to make sure it is stable.
it can be a spark issue also, but I would start with the fuel system 1st(that's just me).
it can be a spark issue also, but I would start with the fuel system 1st(that's just me).
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: California
Sure, but it may be a while since I'm on a tight budget. It's not a huge priority since the car runs fine besides the occasional hard engine start so It may happen within the next couple of weeks. I'll let you know though once I do.
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: graham, wa
Testing is the best cure for a small budget Hi my name is Ryan
This sounds like it could be a one way check valve in your fuel pump. That’s just a first guess only knowing what you have stated. (New fuel filter and ign relay) there are so many other things it could be so don’t take my word as the truth.
The one way check valve is a valve that doesn’t allow fuel to flow back into your fuel tank. If the valve is bad it would make cold starts (In the morning or just after a long sit) very hard. Crank crank then fire.
So here is how you could test for a bad one way check valve.
Put a fuel pressure tester on your test port and turn your key to the ign on (right before you start the engine) when you should be able to hear the fuel pump pumping.
When it’s done look at the gauge and note the fuel pressure. take your key out and leave the car over night if you come back in the morning (or a couple of hours later but the longer the better) and if the fuel pressure is at zero or lower then what you have noted.
Then you either have a fuel leak, or the fuel is running back into the fuel tank (and you have a bad check valve)
I’m just 19 and still in auto school, and I don’t have much experience but this should tell you if you’re losing fuel pressure. If you do lose fuel pressure there is more testing I can explain to you if you’d wish.
I hope this helps
Ryan
This sounds like it could be a one way check valve in your fuel pump. That’s just a first guess only knowing what you have stated. (New fuel filter and ign relay) there are so many other things it could be so don’t take my word as the truth.
The one way check valve is a valve that doesn’t allow fuel to flow back into your fuel tank. If the valve is bad it would make cold starts (In the morning or just after a long sit) very hard. Crank crank then fire.
So here is how you could test for a bad one way check valve.
Put a fuel pressure tester on your test port and turn your key to the ign on (right before you start the engine) when you should be able to hear the fuel pump pumping.
When it’s done look at the gauge and note the fuel pressure. take your key out and leave the car over night if you come back in the morning (or a couple of hours later but the longer the better) and if the fuel pressure is at zero or lower then what you have noted.
Then you either have a fuel leak, or the fuel is running back into the fuel tank (and you have a bad check valve)
I’m just 19 and still in auto school, and I don’t have much experience but this should tell you if you’re losing fuel pressure. If you do lose fuel pressure there is more testing I can explain to you if you’d wish.
I hope this helps
Ryan
godswil,any hints on where to get a fuel pressure gauge? The ones I was finding at advance auto and such were just gauges meant to be installed in the car. Thanks!
JamsTransAm, no hurry, I won't be able to do anything with mine for a little while anyway most likely.
JamsTransAm, no hurry, I won't be able to do anything with mine for a little while anyway most likely.
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: graham, wa
For a fuel pressure tester you can basically any where from Sears, Shucks, AutoZone, and then there is your tool dealer’s Mac, Matco, Cornwell, and Snapon but the one I got from Sears works just fine for me.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...=fuel+pressure
40 bucks and it just screws on with out the adapter to the fuel rail, once you remover the plastic cap on the fuel rail fitting.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...=fuel+pressure
40 bucks and it just screws on with out the adapter to the fuel rail, once you remover the plastic cap on the fuel rail fitting.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: California
Put a fuel pressure tester on your test port and turn your key to the ign on (right before you start the engine) when you should be able to hear the fuel pump pumping.
When it’s done look at the gauge and note the fuel pressure. take your key out and leave the car over night if you come back in the morning (or a couple of hours later but the longer the better) and if the fuel pressure is at zero or lower then what you have noted.
I hope this helps
Ryan
Well you know your getting spark bc it will crank and run fine. So it has to have something to do with fuel. godwil made a good point, try what he said and see what happens.
