FYI Hard Start Problem Symptoms and Solution
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Georgetown, KY , USA
This was a very frustrating problem for me so I wanted to post it in case any of you had the same symptoms. My 88 was having very strange starting problems. After it had sit overnight and the engine was cool it would start with no problem. After driving to operating temp I would shut the engine off. If I started it back immediately it would start. If it sat for over 10 minutes I would have to crank engine numerous times and it would start and blow black smoke out of the pipes. The problem ....Fuel injectors. I replaced with Accel and it runs better than ever. Whew what a job that was. Hope this helps sorry for the length of message. This site has helped me many times and I wanted to contribute.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 0
From: Plant City Fl
Interesting post MJH. My 88 does something very similar. Starts immediately when it is cold, but starts hard when it has been warmed up and them shut off for a little while, usually 30 minutes or more. I don't get the black smoke, just has to turn over a half dozen times before it starts. Thanks for the tip, I'll have to look into that.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,191
Likes: 0
From: Monroe Township NJ
Do you recommend the Accel injectors or stock GM injectors? How are the Accels? I was going to change the fuel injectors but did the fuel pressure regulator and that saved me a lot of time and money. But if I decide to change them later what's better Accel or stock GM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Georgetown, KY , USA
Originally Posted by C4 Suke
Do you recommend the Accel injectors or stock GM injectors? How are the Accels? I was going to change the fuel injectors but did the fuel pressure regulator and that saved me a lot of time and money. But if I decide to change them later what's better Accel or stock GM. [/color]
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Georgetown, KY , USA
Originally Posted by trrgod
What number Accel did you put in? My 89 stock injectors are 22#. I have ordered the Accel 21#. Did you adjust the fuel pressure?[/color]
I went to jegs.com and to Accel fuel injectors. They have an application guide that shows the part # for all years
150824 is the Accel part# for the 88.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
Had the same problem like your, started right up in the morning when the engine is cool. When the engine is warm, shut is off for more than 5 min., had to start a few times before it start; never had the black smoke after it started though. Now the car is hard to start in the morning, I need to replace the cold start valve. Couldn't find one at the time I changed the injectors last year.
Anyone knows where I can buy a cold start valve? Got my Lucas injectors from Carpart.com for less than $350, but they rip me off on the cold start valve (kept sending me the wrong parts, and did not return my money)
[This message has been edited by VQT88Vette (edited 07-27-2001).]
Anyone knows where I can buy a cold start valve? Got my Lucas injectors from Carpart.com for less than $350, but they rip me off on the cold start valve (kept sending me the wrong parts, and did not return my money)
[This message has been edited by VQT88Vette (edited 07-27-2001).]
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 3,641
Likes: 2
From: Southern California
Originally Posted by Bob88Convertible
Interesting post MJH. My 88 does something very similar. Starts immediately when it is cold, but starts hard when it has been warmed up and them shut off for a little while, usually 30 minutes or more. I don't get the black smoke, just has to turn over a half dozen times before it starts. Thanks for the tip, I'll have to look into that.
[/color]
[/color]
I'm the same. Maybe I should save up and replace my FPR.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
How hard are the injectors to replace?
I tried a tank of that fuel injector cleaner, and that helped it out but it still happens about half the time with same symptoms as yours and mines and '88.
Minus the black smoke of course.
I tried a tank of that fuel injector cleaner, and that helped it out but it still happens about half the time with same symptoms as yours and mines and '88.
Minus the black smoke of course.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Georgetown, KY , USA
Originally Posted by Bob88Convertible
I have a new AFPR, don't think that is the problem. Don't know tho, just my opinion.
[/color]
[/color]
1. At operating temp if I started it back
right after shutting down the engine it would
start fine, but if I let the car sit for over
about 10 minutes it would require me
cranking the engine numerous times to start. It would always start, but it would act as if it were flooded (Leaking injectors)
2. I did check the fuel pressure at the Schrader valve before performing the work. I had 40# after turning the key and the fuel pump running for 2 sec. After the initial 40# the pressure would continue to drop to around 10 pounds after about 5 minutes. I checked fuel pressure with motor running and it held a steady 37#.
The black smoke I should have stated only occured on starting after the car had sat all night. Not after it had reached operating temp. Hope this clears things up a bit. I couldn't believe the injectors were bad at this mileage, but they did correct my problem.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
Originally Posted by jharris88:
[My car has approx. 60K miles on it (59,922) The black smoke I should have said was produced after the car had sat all night. That is if the car sat all night long it would start immediately but some black smoke would come out upon the first start. After the car reached operating temp here is how it would act.
1. At operating temp if I started it back
right after shutting down the engine it would
start fine, but if I let the car sit for over
about 10 minutes it would require me
cranking the engine numerous times to start. It would always start, but it would act as if it were flooded (Leaking injectors)
2. I did check the fuel pressure at the Schrader valve before performing the work. I had 40# after turning the key and the fuel pump running for 2 sec. After the initial 40# the pressure would continue to drop to around 10 pounds after about 5 minutes. I checked fuel pressure with motor running and it held a steady 37#.
The black smoke I should have stated only occured on starting after the car had sat all night. Not after it had reached operating temp. Hope this clears things up a bit. I couldn't believe the injectors were bad at this mileage, but they did correct my problem.
[/B
[My car has approx. 60K miles on it (59,922) The black smoke I should have said was produced after the car had sat all night. That is if the car sat all night long it would start immediately but some black smoke would come out upon the first start. After the car reached operating temp here is how it would act.
1. At operating temp if I started it back
right after shutting down the engine it would
start fine, but if I let the car sit for over
about 10 minutes it would require me
cranking the engine numerous times to start. It would always start, but it would act as if it were flooded (Leaking injectors)
2. I did check the fuel pressure at the Schrader valve before performing the work. I had 40# after turning the key and the fuel pump running for 2 sec. After the initial 40# the pressure would continue to drop to around 10 pounds after about 5 minutes. I checked fuel pressure with motor running and it held a steady 37#.
The black smoke I should have stated only occured on starting after the car had sat all night. Not after it had reached operating temp. Hope this clears things up a bit. I couldn't believe the injectors were bad at this mileage, but they did correct my problem.
[/B
[/color]
To notbob,
How hard is it to replaced the injectors? it took my brother half a day. It will take me more than two day
I had a full tank of gas at that time, took the fuse out, ran the car until the engine die...but I still had fuel spilled out while we worked on taking the injectors out (No smoking the whole time [img]http]//www.corvetteforum.cc/ubb/frown.gif[/img]) recommend to have less than half of gas tank when you change the injectors.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 13,710
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
had similar problems with my 94. replaced plugs, wires, used injector cleaner, and cleaned throttle body. still had problem. my fix was replacing the fuel regulator. now starts on first try every time. good luck.