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Starting problem thats getting worse

Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2004 4:12 am
by evogalant
As the subject sez my galant has a starting problem. It dosn't like to start straight away when it has been sitting overnight. Its had this probelm pretty much since i brought it.
It will turn over and half start but idle like crap for a second or two then die.
Normally it would do this 2 or 3 times and a pump of the gas would get it to idle normally or it will idle like crap for a second and it bring itself up to normal idle.

But the problem is it seems to have gotten worse lately, taking upto 6 or 7 trys to get it to start and pumping the gas dosn't seem to work as much anymore.
But like i said it only does this when its been siting overnight or longer, if i drove it then left it for a few hours then came back it would start first time no problem.

Some people have said it sounds like leaking injectors and im thinking its a fuel related problem.
Anyone else had this problem or know what the problem is?

Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2004 10:25 am
by ProZac
Sounds a bit like your losing fuel pressure in the rail to me, either by it leaking past the injectors (making it even harder to start again), or bleeding back past the regulator. Just a guess tho.

Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2004 11:51 am
by SpidersWeb
My Galant is the same. They don't like being dead cold.

Things like plugs/leads may help, maybe a fuel filter, do the basics before you start throwing in big cash for injectors etc that would be my recommendation.

I'm not sure if yours is the 4G63 or the V6, but my 4G63 if left overnight in the cold, sometimes in the morning the motor turns over 6-7 times before starting, but in general use its 2-3 turns max.

Also remember to turn the car to ON, and wait for the CHECK ENGINE light to go out before starting, this gives the fuel pump time to build pressure as well as ensuring the sensors are ready (think its the O2 sensor).

Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2004 3:46 pm
by evogalant
Yeah i normally put it on accesories for a bit before trying to start. But now that i think of it i think the check engine light is always on when i put accesories on :? but it goes off when you start the car.
But that could mean anything as my galant has had an RVR engine put in it and it dosn't look like it was the most proffesional conversion (ie. wires everywhere)

Its going in next week to have the rear engine mount fixed so i will add the starting problem to the list of things i want them to look at.
The previous owner told me it had problems with fuel when you put the boost up (it runs 10psi atm). So im thinking the fuel pump or injectors are getting a bit dodgy.

Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2004 4:13 pm
by SpidersWeb
Well just re-read the post, and you're saying that it starts and dies.

My Galant does this on very cold mornings when I dont wait for the CHECK ENGINE light to go out before starting. A little patience (e.g. let the light go out, which gives the fuel pump enough time to suck fuel from the tank and pressure it in to the rail) and adding synthetic oil helped cold idle and starts as well.

Try waiting for that light to go out, and see if that helps. If not, possibly follow ProZac's thoughts, or see the mechanic. Let me know because I'm quite interested.

Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2004 5:22 pm
by scum
I suggest strategically 'booting' the car, just kick it every morning in a different spot till you find the 'start bitch' sweet spot. worked on my cordia :D

Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2004 5:54 pm
by SpidersWeb
With my mothers old 77 Corolla SR coupe, we used to say ' we are going to take you to the dump you useless piece of $*$*"

turn they key and vroom

If you didn't say that, it wouldn't start

Cooky little P.o.S

Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2004 3:13 am
by evogalant
Actually i was wrong. I checked today and only the oil and battery lights come on when you put accesories on. The engine check light only flashes on while trying to start the car then goes of once car is started. Which i think is normal anyway.

But of course it was a bitch to start first time today. Hope it lasts for atleast another week then its of to the mechanics.


Oh and believe it or not i never had any problems starting my cordia, would start first time everytime. Sometimes i wish i had it back, it was a good car.

Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2004 10:55 am
by SpidersWeb
Your ignition has four positions, like any car

OFF
ACC
ON
START

Turn the car to ON not accessories, and wait for the light before flicking the starter motor over. I doubt it will be a magical solution but try it and see if it helps at all.

Ill be interested to see what your mechanic says.

Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2004 5:28 pm
by evogalant
Well when i said accesories i meant on anyway. But yeah no engine check light on either.

Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2004 6:08 pm
by SpidersWeb
Oh sorry.

Well I guess in the newer models they didn't have that little thing. On the older models like mine, you had to wait for the 02 sensor to warm up and the fuel pump to build pressure. It'd start straight up but idle rough, then when the check engine light went out it'd smooth out and run nice.