Help a n00b... '93 hard start issue
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Help a n00b... '93 hard start issue
I recently purchased a 1993 C4. 1 owner. Bone stock. 43k miles as of this morning. Automatic trans.
I've noticed that when the car is cold, it is hard to start. I have to crank it for 5 to 8 seconds before it fires. Right after it catches and starts, it will typically die almost immediately.
Once I restart it, it will fire at once with barely a tap on the key. It doesn't seem to affect drivability. Fuel mileage is good. Idle is smooth. Super-premium fuel.
Is there something simple I should look for? I'm going to set up an appointment with a Corvette speciality shop here locally in Melbourne, Florida to give it a once over...but I'd like to know what the general consensus is on what may be causing this. Thanks!
I've noticed that when the car is cold, it is hard to start. I have to crank it for 5 to 8 seconds before it fires. Right after it catches and starts, it will typically die almost immediately.
Once I restart it, it will fire at once with barely a tap on the key. It doesn't seem to affect drivability. Fuel mileage is good. Idle is smooth. Super-premium fuel.
Is there something simple I should look for? I'm going to set up an appointment with a Corvette speciality shop here locally in Melbourne, Florida to give it a once over...but I'd like to know what the general consensus is on what may be causing this. Thanks!
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
From: Chardon Ohio
Hey, if your on the space coast just shoot up to Ecklers in Titusville! That's where I'd go when I first picked mine up. Also that Vette shop in Melbourne I heard a lot of ups and downs about.. does good work, when they get around to it. Up to you but just sayin, plus Eckler's showroom has a lot of treats. 
Back to your problem though, try to keep an eye out for smoke! and note the color of it. You may have failing injectors like I did when I first drove my 92' with 50k on it last year.
Back to your problem though, try to keep an eye out for smoke! and note the color of it. You may have failing injectors like I did when I first drove my 92' with 50k on it last year.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 651
Likes: 33
From: North Port Florida
I recently purchased a 1993 C4. 1 owner. Bone stock. 43k miles as of this morning. Automatic trans.
I've noticed that when the car is cold, it is hard to start. I have to crank it for 5 to 8 seconds before it fires. Right after it catches and starts, it will typically die almost immediately.
Once I restart it, it will fire at once with barely a tap on the key. It doesn't seem to affect drivability. Fuel mileage is good. Idle is smooth. Super-premium fuel.
Is there something simple I should look for? I'm going to set up an appointment with a Corvette speciality shop here locally in Melbourne, Florida to give it a once over...but I'd like to know what the general consensus is on what may be causing this. Thanks!
I've noticed that when the car is cold, it is hard to start. I have to crank it for 5 to 8 seconds before it fires. Right after it catches and starts, it will typically die almost immediately.
Once I restart it, it will fire at once with barely a tap on the key. It doesn't seem to affect drivability. Fuel mileage is good. Idle is smooth. Super-premium fuel.
Is there something simple I should look for? I'm going to set up an appointment with a Corvette speciality shop here locally in Melbourne, Florida to give it a once over...but I'd like to know what the general consensus is on what may be causing this. Thanks!
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,752
Likes: 190
From: Indiana PA
Sounds to me like your fuel pressure is leaking down. Install a fuel pressure test guage and leave it on overnight. Pressure should be at spec. Not sure what it is, but say @ 40 lbs. If it's leaking down, it takes a long crank to build up pressure. Something to ck. anyways. Good luck,
Start here.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Hi everyone, thanks for all of the input. Greatly appreciated.
Despite my complete lack of mechanical skills, I was able to (bribe, beg, etc) a family member to help.
Fuel pressure was very low after the car sits overnight. Down to about 7 after sitting for 12 hours. Cranking raised it back up to where it should be and then it eventually fired & died. Started again with quick tap on the key & idled smoothly as before.
Forgive my n00bishness again, but what would be the appropriate fix? New fuel pump? The car does not appear to be leaking fuel from anywhere and there's no smoke or anything at startup. Plugs & wires are about a year old.
Would a bad pump let fuel empty back into the tank? Would it be possible that the car dying after it first fires be a result of air in the line that needs a chance to work itself out?
Lastly, I've heard similar things about the Indy shop in Melbourne. They do great work...once they get to it. Does Eckler's actually do any service work up in Titusville? I know 20+ years ago they did, but I thought they just did parts & accessories now.
Thanks again to everyone for the input.
Despite my complete lack of mechanical skills, I was able to (bribe, beg, etc) a family member to help.
Fuel pressure was very low after the car sits overnight. Down to about 7 after sitting for 12 hours. Cranking raised it back up to where it should be and then it eventually fired & died. Started again with quick tap on the key & idled smoothly as before.
Forgive my n00bishness again, but what would be the appropriate fix? New fuel pump? The car does not appear to be leaking fuel from anywhere and there's no smoke or anything at startup. Plugs & wires are about a year old.
Would a bad pump let fuel empty back into the tank? Would it be possible that the car dying after it first fires be a result of air in the line that needs a chance to work itself out?
Lastly, I've heard similar things about the Indy shop in Melbourne. They do great work...once they get to it. Does Eckler's actually do any service work up in Titusville? I know 20+ years ago they did, but I thought they just did parts & accessories now.
Thanks again to everyone for the input.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 651
Likes: 33
From: North Port Florida
Hi everyone, thanks for all of the input. Greatly appreciated.
Despite my complete lack of mechanical skills, I was able to (bribe, beg, etc) a family member to help.
Fuel pressure was very low after the car sits overnight. Down to about 7 after sitting for 12 hours. Cranking raised it back up to where it should be and then it eventually fired & died. Started again with quick tap on the key & idled smoothly as before.
Forgive my n00bishness again, but what would be the appropriate fix? New fuel pump? The car does not appear to be leaking fuel from anywhere and there's no smoke or anything at startup. Plugs & wires are about a year old.
Would a bad pump let fuel empty back into the tank? Would it be possible that the car dying after it first fires be a result of air in the line that needs a chance to work itself out?
Lastly, I've heard similar things about the Indy shop in Melbourne. They do great work...once they get to it. Does Eckler's actually do any service work up in Titusville? I know 20+ years ago they did, but I thought they just did parts & accessories now.
Thanks again to everyone for the input.
Despite my complete lack of mechanical skills, I was able to (bribe, beg, etc) a family member to help.
Fuel pressure was very low after the car sits overnight. Down to about 7 after sitting for 12 hours. Cranking raised it back up to where it should be and then it eventually fired & died. Started again with quick tap on the key & idled smoothly as before.
Forgive my n00bishness again, but what would be the appropriate fix? New fuel pump? The car does not appear to be leaking fuel from anywhere and there's no smoke or anything at startup. Plugs & wires are about a year old.
Would a bad pump let fuel empty back into the tank? Would it be possible that the car dying after it first fires be a result of air in the line that needs a chance to work itself out?
Lastly, I've heard similar things about the Indy shop in Melbourne. They do great work...once they get to it. Does Eckler's actually do any service work up in Titusville? I know 20+ years ago they did, but I thought they just did parts & accessories now.
Thanks again to everyone for the input.
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