Replaced fuel filter now car runs like crap!

[shaunman1979]

Ok here is a breif history of the car. Due to a salvaged title, blown head gasket, burnt valve, and the motor already being out of the car. I bought a n/t doner car (same year and make) and swapped my turbo set up to the new car. I swapped the whole wiring harness, ECU, ect. Now to my little problem. The car will start after what seems like a little ritual. Every time this is what it seems to take.

1st time cranking. Just turns over dosent sputter or try to fire.
2nd time craking. Sputters a bit then dies
3rd and 4th about the same as 2nd
5th sputters then catches and runs great.

At first I thought this was just due to the motor being freshley worked on. But it honestly is the same thing every time. Given sometimes it will start on the 4th try but you get the idea. I have searched and searched trying to find somthing that might be relative to what is going on with my car. First I thought it might be the ECT but when it starts it runs just fine dosent bog. Would a bad coolent temp sensor have trouble starting but run just fine. Another thought was the Maf. But again it runs fine after start up. Here are a few things that may factor in. I can not guarantee that the car is at -5 tdc. It runs great and feels better than before the build so im not to worried about timing due to the motors sound and preformance, but again could this cause trouble ? Another thing is I just had my caps on my ecu replaced. The guy that replaced them I noticed changed on of them to an 85 degree cap rather than the 105 that was on there stock. Anybody have any ideas if this is ok or should I have a 105 degree cap put in its place. Any help would be great I cant wait to get my car back on the road again. Driving around the block just isnt the same. Thanks in advance for all your help.

Shaun

 

[hereitcomes]

It seems like you need to build up pressure in the fuel in order to pump it into the engine. 4-5 time starting and it runs fine could be your fuel pump, or an injector issue. But seeing how as it runs fine, that doesnt seem to be the culprit. You havent thrown any CEL's yet have you? Even on a startup?

 

[shaunman1979]

No cels yet, I thought for a bit about the fuel pump but I swapped the one from my turbo car and it was brand new. That would make sense though. If the filter was partially clogged that could cause issues. I think ill change that tonight just to be on the safe side. Is there anything else I should look for in the fuel system that my cause bad pressure?

 

[shaunman1979]

Ok now I am really confused. I got home tonight and changed the fuel filter, now the car runs like crap. When it starts you can tell its not running right. There is no power. It wont accelerate at all. If I mash on the gas the rpms just creep up. The old filter was pretty clogged but now this. Whats the deal? It still takes a little work to get it started so that didnt fix anything only made things go wrong. (to be expected with dsms fix one thing and your plauged by eight others) This one really has me stumped.

 

[shaunman1979]

Anybody? I really need to get this car on the road it has been way to long.

 

[shaunman1979]

After a long day yesterday of witty banter back and forth of what could be the culprit. I went home and proceeded to kick the tires in a vain attempt make the car feel my frustration. Now it normaly seems the solution your looking for is right in front of your face. I sat there for a while thinking of what it could be. By this time the car wouldnt start at all. Pulled the plugs and they were soaked. So I was getting plenty of fuel. I took them in side and put them over the stove to burn the gas off and dry them out. While sitting in the flame for a while I realized it took them a while to ignite and burn off. There was my answer right infront of my face. OLD GAS/ and it being really really cold. I didnt think that the fuel had been in the tank for that long. Maybe since august I thought which was when I got the car, but who knows how long before that. So I put the new plugs in got her started and just let her spit and pop until she purred like a kitten.