2001 Vulcan Starting Probs

[Millermagic]

Last week, I went to go home (at college). When I went to start the car, it wouldn't ...

I turned the key to run, waited for the fuel pump to stop priming then tried starting. It fired for a second then quit. I did the whole 15 second thing about three times and nothing. So I got mad and rearranged the trunk then tried again. Finally I got mad and just ran the starter for 45 seconds (can anyone say recipie for burning up starter motor haha). Once it was on, it ran fine

I drove 20 miles, turned it off for about 15 minutes. When I came back, no problems at all with it. I made about three other stops after that before I ended up back at college that night. It wouldn't start on the first try but usually the second or third try.

Went through the same thing Sunday. If I turn the key off nd to run like 3 times, it starts fine. I take it I'm losing fuel pressure when the car is off? Does that mean the fuel pump is on its way out?

[way2old]

Usually your symptoms do indicate a weak fuel pump. You need to install a fuel pressure gauge when you first turn the key on and see what pressures you have with key on engine not running. It should jump to around 40 psi. If it does not immediately go up to 40, the pump is weak or maybe the filter is starting to clog.

[Millermagic]

Filter is less than a year old. Also, when I changed the filter last year, we never drained off the fuel pressure ... yes ... dumb ... and there was no pressure when the car was off, but it atleast started good back then.

The car does sit now for a week at a time, but when it was new, it was not uncommon for it to sit for two weeks or a month.

I know my father has some fuel pressure gauges, what's the cheapest I can get one for if we can't find one?

[way2old]

Cost is dependant upon where you purchase. Some auto parts houses have a "loan a tool"program. You leave a deposit on the tool and get it back when you return the tool. I usually buy my stuff from a truck that stops by the shop. High dollar stuff that way.

[shorod]

When you install the guage as way2old mentions, also see if the pressure leaks down. Ie: install guage, turn key to run, see pressure jump to about 40psi, then monitor for 15 seconds or so to see if it quickly loses pressure or remains near 40 psi. If it drops off fairly quickly, it sounds like you may have a leak somewhere, like a pressure regulator or fuel injectors.

Have you monitored fuel economy lately and noticed a decline?

-Rod

[Millermagic]

This tank it's indicating poor mileage but I don't think I filled the tank completely - 32mpg last tank. I'll take an average when I gas up of the last three tanks.

[Millermagic]

It sat for a week tried it and it started fine. Priming 3 times works good. And fuel mileage didn't go out of acceptible ... average between the last tank and this tank is about 29, which is acceptable.

[shorod]

Needing to prime it 3 times would certainly indicate a fuel pressure issue. Replace the fuel filter for good measure (I know you said it's only a year old), add a bottle of fuel injector cleaner to the fuel tank, and measure the fuel pressure at the rail.

-Rod