long starting... what next?

sipynsyrup

New Member
Mar 14, 2007
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My car takes a long time to start, unless it has already been warmed up. It starts up fine if it has been warmed up.

I have already changed the spark plugs and wires. The car has a msd blaster coil. The previous owner told me the dist cap and rotor were changed.

What could it possibly be?? Fuel pump?? Distributor? Starter?
 
If you cycle the key a few times (to let the pump prime repeatedly) before ever trying to crank the engine, does it fire up quicker? That would indicate a pump issue.

Good luck.
 
yep.. I tried it this morning. started up perfect after turning it on 3 times...

guess I need a new fuel pump. I guess I will go ahead and upgrade. I dont have to get my car tuned for that do i??

Could this have been hurting my performance?? I am getting it dyno'd tomorrow with wideband. My car has been trapping lower than other stock cars. Could this be why?
 
I dont have to get my car tuned for that do i??

Even with a 255 lph pump, the increase in pressure is very arguable (read nothing to worry about). Most of the time, the issue like yours is sourced to a weak check valve in the tank, and that's often the only issue with the pump. The check valve rears its head after the car has sat for an extended period, and otherwise, often-times doesnt affect pump performance.

Your WB/datalogging should have showed a high RPM/high load leanness if the pump was falling behind.

Good luck with the tune. :nice:
 
my car does same thing, its been doing it for awhile, i just let it prime and until them drive it till it pumps no more hehe, eh any fuel not needed is just sent back to the gas tank, so doesn't matter unless u have an 03 cobra which i believe came with returnless fuel system
 
yep.. I tried it this morning. started up perfect after turning it on 3 times...

guess I need a new fuel pump. I guess I will go ahead and upgrade. I dont have to get my car tuned for that do i??

Could this have been hurting my performance?? I am getting it dyno'd tomorrow with wideband. My car has been trapping lower than other stock cars. Could this be why?

You don't need a tune, but depending on what pump you upgrade too, check the fuel pressure after you install it. Sometimes you may need to install an aftermarket regulator because the stock one doesn't like the increased pressure.

Sometimes, like in my case, the fuel pressure was fine with the stock regulator and the 255, so I just left it. Our fuel system has a return so you won't get too much fuel, but the regulator may have a tough time keeping up.

Adam
 
Adam, if pressure did go up slightly (I've seen about a 3 PSI increase, worst case), wouldnt that be negated when the puter finds stoich (much like how AFPR's on 94-95's are not a really hot ticket if hoping to richen things up)?

With your tuning experience, I thought you might have come across something I never realized...............
 
Adam, if pressure did go up slightly (I've seen about a 3 PSI increase, worst case), wouldnt that be negated when the puter finds stoich (much like how AFPR's on 94-95's are not a really hot ticket if hoping to richen things up)?

With your tuning experience, I thought you might have come across something I never realized...............

It would indeed compensate, but I wouldn't be able to trust a unit that wasn't performing consistently. If I could guarantee that the fuel pressure would remain a static value... If the unit was exhibiting a 3 PSI increase, in my mind, I would begin to wonder if the regulator would further degrade. I do worry about this with my own unit, so I happen to have a pressure gauge on my schrader valve and I keep an eye on it.

I'm sure that someday it will crap out on me, and when that happens a Kirban unit dialed into 39.5PSI will replace it, but until then I'd rather drop 20 bucks on the gauge then many times that on the regulator.

Good question!:SNSign:

Adam
 
I am going to change the fuel filter before I decide to change the fuel pump because I heard it could just need a new filter. I might wait until I buy my turbo kit, which comes with all supporting fuel.

Thanks guys.. My a/f ratio is still good.. just takes a while to start unless primed.

turbo kit and built motor in a few months :D
 
oh and I do have a fuel pressure regulator(bbk powerplus)

I had my car dyno'd and they told me my wideband was running good. I was a little upset I only put down 198rwhp, but then again my car is pretty much stock other than exhaust and cold air intake/tb