Starting problem

[COS]

Hello All,
Yesturday I was out cruising and stopped at the local gas station. After filling up, I tried to start my car and it didnt start. It finally turned over after the forth attempt. I can not figure out why she was doing this. This has never happened before. Could some one give me some assistance on what this could be? All help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Chris

 

[SurrealDSM]

you might wanna check your starter last time my car didnt wanna turn over it ended up being that someone correct me if im wrong

 

[COS]

I did think about the starter already. I was also thinking something with the fuel. Fisrt I smell fuel coming from the rear of the vehicle which I can not pinpoint on location and i also have a little surging while cruising, assuming fuel is not getting to where it needs to go. Would this be a possibility?
Thanks
Chris

 

[Locke]

Just to make this perfectly clear, what happened when you tried to start it?

Did you turn the key, and nothing happened?
Did the starter 'click' but not spin?
Did the starter whiz, but not turn the engine?
Did the engine turn and not fire?
Did it try to fire and not start?

Sometimes, people don't communicate clearly when describing no-start situations.

 

[4UH8ERS]

FiRSt I smell fuel coming from the rear of the vehicle which I can not pinpoint on location.
Thanks
Chris

Maybe thats because your fuel tank is located at the rear of the vehicle and you just filled you car up at the gas station.


just give us a better description of the no start.

 

[COS]

You can here the vehicle trying to start, its not until I press the gas peddle a few times then it will start.
Thanks
Chris

 

[1PhatACR]

Are you getting enough fuel? How much Fuel pressure do you have? Have you changed your plugs/wires lately?

 

[COS]

I have recently did a minor tune up, plugs, wires, pcv. I still have not changed the fuel filter and air filter. I also not sure on how I can tell how much fuel I am getting. I do not have any type of gauge other than the tank gauge.
Thanks
Chris

 

[1PhatACR]

Change your fuel filter. You can buy a cheap under hood gauge from summitracing.com

 

[COS]

Do you think this would be the problem? Do you mean the fuel pressure guage?
Thanks
Chris

 

[1PhatACR]

It sounds like you are not getting enough something, air, fuel or spark. I was suggesting a gauge so you can see if you have enough fuel pressure. Any local auto garage should be able to check your fuel pressure for you. This will help you start your process of elimination.

 

[COS]

I kind of figured something like that, I was gearing towards fuel though. I will check to see what Summit has as far as geages. Do you know roughly at where the guage should be set at?
Thanks
Chris

 

[1PhatACR]

I believe stock fuel pressure should be around 49-50

 

[COS]

Cool, will look into it. anyother suggestions that I could look into?
Thanks
Chris

 

[Locke]

Does it idle and drive well when it does start?

 

[COS]

Idle is fine, while at cruising speed, a little bogging

 

[4UH8ERS]

Change your fuel filter, its realtively cheap and easy. Make sure you relieve the pressure in the lines first!.

When i changed my fuel filter, I was absolutely amazed at how much better my throttle response is.

 

[wolvorine4424]

No kidding on the fuel filter... I just replaced my filter 2 days ago due to starting problems (was dificult to start)...

After the change the car starts faster (within 1 sec of turning the key), idles and runs much better...

Just to make metters worse, the filter I had in the car was ORIGINAL WTF (probebly never changed) It took me a while to get it off, Was trying not to damage the fuel lines.

Oh, I just got this car about 4 or 5 days ago... So I'm in the process of a major tune-up...

 

[DSM-ZERO]

+1 for replacing your fuel filter

also check to make sure the battery clamps on the terminals are tight also

 

[COS]

A lot of good information here, thanks everyone. I am off on Sunday finnally so that is when I will finnally get the chance to change it. I will keep you posted.
Thanks
Chris

 

[COS]

Hello All,
I finnally was able to change the fuel filter this past weekend. She seems to be running better, but still seems a little sluggish. I think it has something to do with the tranny. Should I look for other options before I start thinking of swapping the tranny?
Thanks
Chris

 

[Locke]

'Sluggish' can be caused by a variety of things. Its an automatic, i presume? Describe what it is that makes you believe the tranny is at fault, please.

 

[COS]

When I floor the gas pedal, I can feel the passenger side wheel pull and then the drivers side. Also from time to time I feel it slipping through the gears. Yes, it is an automatic.