C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Hard start......Leaking fuel injectors?

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Old Dec 23, 2002 | 11:56 PM
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Default Hard start......Leaking fuel injectors?

I started the vette yesterday for the first time in a month. As soon as I turned the key I got what sounded like a backfire in the intake. The next turn of the key produced nothing but cranking. It acted as though it was flooded. When it finally did start, it ran rough for the first 30 seconds or so, and then smoothed out. So what do you think? My next thought is to let it sit a little and then pull the plugs to look/smell for gas. It is a basically stock LT1....19,000 miles. I have owned it for four years and put 12,000 miles on it with no problems until now. Thanks in advance :seeya
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Old Dec 24, 2002 | 11:34 AM
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Default Re: Hard start......Leaking fuel injectors? (billyhay)

It sounds like leaky injector/s might be the problem. You can remove the fuel rails with the injectors still connected to them, turn the assy around and turn on the key to activate the fuel pump. If you see ANY gasoline on the tips of any injector, it is leaking. I had 2 that were leaking. I replaced all 8 with Accel replacements from Summit Racing. The dealer wanted $170.00 each and I got all 8 for about $279.00. Hope this helps.
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Old Dec 24, 2002 | 11:54 AM
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Default Re: Hard start......Leaking fuel injectors? (billyhay)

I would say with the low miles that you have on the car now, That your injectors are ok. I would say start the car at least once a week or drive it and get some fresh fuel in though the system. Things might have started to gum up from sitting so long?
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Old Jan 2, 2003 | 02:12 AM
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Default Re: Hard start......Leaking fuel injectors? (billyhay)

On my '94 the water pump had begun to drip just enough to not be noticeable, but ruin the optispark. It would act very similarly to what you are describing. If it seems to do it consistently regardless of how long it sits, be it two days or two months, it could be something like this, however if it seems to only happen when it has sat for an extended period of time, it seems more likely to be something gumming up. Hope this helps.
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Old Jan 3, 2003 | 12:20 AM
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Default Re: Hard start......Leaking fuel injectors? (billyhay)

It might also be a fuel contamination or fuel delivery problem. Even though you don't have a lot of miles on the car it still has 8 years on many of the parts. When was the last time you replaced the fuel filter? It might be that condensation in the tank has occurred over time enough to clog the fuel filter, or the filter elements may be going bad due to age.
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Old Jan 3, 2003 | 01:31 AM
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Default Re: Hard start......Leaking fuel injectors? (billyhay)

It's not my usual advice, but I would wait and see if it keeps happening or not. My '96 with around 70k miles seems to have done this every 5 - 7k miles or so for quite a while. As soon as I turn the key, sometimes engine's cold but mostly hot, it makes this horrible sound deep down that sounds like a connecting rod letting go, and proceeds to run on what feels like 5 cylinders. It stays running, and seems to clear up in 15 - 20 seconds or so. From that point on it runs fine until the next episode. Scared the poop :eek: out of me the first time, now I just suffer a minor cardiac and go on from there. If it keeps on happening frequently, I would seek professional help....

:jester
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