2000 Elantra, slow start and gas smell

[rosenob6989]

I have a 2000 elantra with about 65k miles. I have recently had some problems with the way it starts. The motor turns over fine (it even has a new battery) but it will not "catch" and start up until after I have allowed the motor to turn over for several seconds. Once it starts there is a gas smell inside the vehicle. I am guessing that the smell is from the excess fuel being pumped into the engine and it not starting right away, but should the smell be in the cabin? I am not getting a check engine light so the car is not detecting a problem? My gas mileage also is a bit low, but the car seems to run the same as always when driving???

Anyone know what this could be?

[kenman1300]

Have your exhaust manifold checked out. I'm having similar problems, and it's due to a crack in the exhaust manifold. There is a recall which includes all new vehicles (2000 is included), so they should replace the part free of charge.

[rosenob6989]

Originally Posted by kenman1300

Have your exhaust manifold checked out. I'm having similar problems, and it's due to a crack in the exhaust manifold. There is a recall which includes all new vehicles (2000 is included), so they should replace the part free of charge.

I checked the recalls on my car and the only one is to replace an MAF sensor that causes the car to stall. Where did you find out about this recall?

[kenman1300]

I called Hyundai. They said all 99' Models and up are okay'd for the recall.

[mazdatech]

If this only happens after the car has been sitting for a while or as an example, overnight. hyundai has found that an extended crank time is a result of the fuel pump losing pressure instead of holding, you see their is a check valve inside the fuel pump, this malfuntions and then you have to build pressure up before your car will start......although I am not sure of your fuel smell but hope this helps

[rosenob6989]

Thanks everybody for your info on this. The dealer is going to see if the exhaust manifold needs replacing per their recall. Unfortunately I have a new problem.. This morning when driving my car to work, the heater didn't work. I let it warm up for ten minutes before I left and it blew nothing but cold air. It worked fine yesterday and has always worked quite well. I don't know how this could be related but since I don't know a ton about cars I thought I would throw it out there.

Thanks Again.