Intermittent warm starting problems

[ChrisHug]

Hello all! This is my first post on this problem. I'm having a problem with my car that is absolutely driving me insane I'm hoping some knowledgeable folks here can give me a hand with this. Anyhow, here goes.

Sometimes, when the engine is at normal operating temperature, it won't start up when I turn it off. For example, let's say on my way home I stop off in a supermarket to pick up some stuff. I'll come back out 20 minutes or so later, only to find out my car isn't starting. I'll turn the key and the engine will crank, shake and then immediately die on me [I'm under the impression the engine isn't even starting at this point because tapping the gas does nothing]. Again, this is a problem that is only happening sometimes. I can do the same routine tomorrow and it'll start up flawlessly.

The thing that is driving me crazy with the issue is this.

1) This is only an intermittent problem. The problem doesn't seem to be occurring more frequently, but when it does happen, the engine is harder to start. For example, the first time this happened to me, I got it started after one or two tries. After my latest episode, it took me 11 tries to get it running!

2) After the engine does finally start, the engine will run really rough and shake a lot until I tap the gas a few times (which is leading me to believe this is some sort of fuel related problem [sometimes, the engine will start on one try, but will run rough until I tap the gas a few times]).

3) When the car is cold, it starts up flawlessly every time without fail.

4) The car runs mint! No hesitation or otherwise stalling, etc.

What I've done so far to try to remedy the problem:

1) Changed spark plugs

2) Fuel line cleaning/flush

I was wondering if anyone here has had any sort of experience with an issue like this, or if anyone knows what could possible be causing this? Also, is there like a general problem forum I can post this in instead of just the dodge forum (not trying to break rules here with my first post :P)? Thanks for taking the time to read this and I hope to hear some answers really soon!

[jamesslcx]

ChrisHug have you fixed it yet? Check engine light on or any codes?

[ChrisHug]

Originally Posted by jamesslcx

ChrisHug have you fixed it yet? Check engine light on or any codes?

Not yet. The problem seems to be a leaking fuel injector flooding the cylinder when the car turns off though.

[jamesslcx]

ChrisHug,too bad those injectors probably are not too cheap, at least you know what the problem is.

[soupcan fs]

did you figure out the problem i got the same one

[ChrisHug]

Originally Posted by soupcan fs

did you figure out the problem i got the same one

Actually, I haven't even messed with the car as far as taking it apart goes.

Now that the weather is warming up, I'll be more willing to play with it. With that being said, the problem at hand for me seems to either be the camshaft sensor or the fuel pump. I'm going to try to change the camshaft sensor first.

[jamesslcx]

Chris, most of the time sensors will set a code if giving a problem. Since this is intermittent you need to check and see if it is getting fire when this problem occurs. If it is getting too much fuel at the time it could be an injector problem, faulty pcm or even an unlikely pressure regulator. I know you have stated you had the fuel system flushed but do you run fuel system cleaner regularly?

[ChrisHug]

Originally Posted by jamesslcx

Chris, most of the time sensors will set a code if giving a problem. Since this is intermittent you need to check and see if it is getting fire when this problem occurs. If it is getting too much fuel at the time it could be an injector problem, faulty pcm or even an unlikely pressure regulator. I know you have stated you had the fuel system flushed but do you run fuel system cleaner regularly?

Hmm. I was actually thinking the fuel pump/regulator (all one unit for this car), but my mechanic said that the camshaft position sensor for my car doesn't generate an obd code when failing. Either way, it's only about a $30 part and about an hour's time to swap so no biggie if it isn't.

Edit: Also, I forgot to mention this. When the problem occurs, the car will crank, start for a couple of seconds then die. The exact same symptoms can be replicated by pulling out the fuel pump relay (while the car is off of course). This is why I'm leaning either towards fuel pump or camshaft or crankshaft (but more so the camshaft) sensor.