2001 hard starting after sitting

Karpman1000 · #1 02-28-2008, 06:24 PM

I have an '01 ex police model with a 3.8 and 400 000 kms. It runs smooth, plenty of power, reasonable fuel economy but doesn't like to fire right up after it's been sitting. Starts every time when you shut it off and restart right away. I found that cycling the fuel pump by keying the ignition several times will help. Seems like the fuel pressure drops while sitting. Regulator seems ok. Cannot fill tank to the top or car will not run at all and has strong fuel smell. Fuel pump was replaced prior to these symptoms showing up. Could this perhaps be a fault in the pump?

vando002 · #2 02-29-2008, 09:10 PM

If the pump has been replaced then it's probably not the pump. If there's a strong fuel smell when it's full, there must be a leak somewhere. Maybe there's a small leak where the fuel sending unit is placed into the tank. A leak could also cause air to get into the gas tank and lines possibly making it difficult to start. Just a thought.

Karpman1000 · #3 02-29-2008, 09:57 PM

Thanks for that vando002... any idea how to access the pump? Do I have to remove the tank or is it accessible some other way?

Gems · #4 03-01-2008, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karpman1000

Thanks for that vando002... any idea how to access the pump? Do I have to remove the tank or is it accessible some other way?

The fuel pump is accessible from inside the trunk... Remove the spare tire, pull back the carpeting and you will find an access panel...

Karpman1000 · #5 03-01-2008, 06:52 PM

Good on ya Gems! I'd heard from a friend there was a way but now I know where! Will go look for that asap. should really take it back to the shop that did the pump but they are all so busy these days. Seems everyone is short staffed. Well, just about an hour has elapsed and back inside again. Found the access panel in the trunk but couldn't quite reach it so decided to take the back seat out instead. Glad I did because there was $2.85 in change under there! Didn't see any evidence of fuel leakage and all the lines were tight. Didn't look like there was anything wrong so will have to live with it for now.

vando002 · #6 03-02-2008, 01:26 PM

Inspect the gas tank too. Maybe there's a pinhole leak somewhere. And check the fuel lines too. I changed my fuel pump on my sunbird and tightened one gas line too hard and literally squished the o-ring on the line and it leaked like crazy. All I can say is to look over all of the connections again. I don't know where else the smell would come from. Good luck.

j cAT · #7 03-02-2008, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karpman1000

I have an '01 ex police model with a 3.8 and 400 000 kms. It runs smooth, plenty of power, reasonable fuel economy but doesn't like to fire right up after it's been sitting. Starts every time when you shut it off and restart right away. I found that cycling the fuel pump by keying the ignition several times will help. Seems like the fuel pressure drops while sitting. Regulator seems ok. Cannot fill tank to the top or car will not run at all and has strong fuel smell. Fuel pump was replaced prior to these symptoms showing up. Could this perhaps be a fault in the pump?

perhaps you have a defective pump! who manufactured the fuel pump ?as many have had problems with non OEM fuel pumps.....

Karpman1000 · #8 03-02-2008, 09:50 PM

Seems to me the label on it said airtex. The engine pulls strong so am reluctant to to replace it again as it was close to $500 just for the part. I'm starting to wonder if it's a problem with the evap system as it did store a code for that once. The guy that scanned it said it's probably a worn out gas cap so I didn't think anything of it at the time. Also, now that I think back... I remember replacing the lifters over a year ago and I noticed there was barely any pressure in the fuel rail when I disconnected it so I'm starting to wonder about the f.p.r. Should it not hold pressure with the pump off? I know the mileage is high but the maintenance has been very good all it's life and it runs so good that I think the engine is worth saving. As I mentioned earlier, the engine does not want to run only when the tank is full... it starts but sputters and dies. I'm talking full right to the filler neck. After driving for 15 mins or so the fuel level drops and it runs good again and the fuel smell disappears. Maybe if I disconnect the vacuum line from the vent solenoid and then try filling to the top. Starting to think there is more than one problem here. Not too serious but would be nice to have it start first crack of the key!

Karpman1000 · #9 09-17-2008, 05:17 PM

Many thanks to all who replied to this post. It's been awhile but finally decided to buy an oem pump and problem is now repaired. The old new pump had a bad check valve on the feed side thus preventing the system from holding any pressure. There was also a check valve for the atmosphere line that had fallen off completely and I suspect this might have caused the strong fuel smell when the tank was full. The engine now starts first crack of the key every time. What a difference :-)

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