Hard start when car is warm
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Hard start when car is warm
Hello,
I have a 2001 Corvette. Car starts fine when cold. Runs great. After driving and leaving it sit for ~20 minutes, the car cranks and cranks but doesn't start. Cycling the ignition to acc. cures the issue. Tested fuel pressure and it drops off immediately after shutting the car off, eventually going to zero after 15min. I replaced all the injectors, and the fuel filter. I am now suspecting the fuel feed pipe check valve. But wouldn't that also impact when the car is cold?
Any chance of cleaning the check valve in car or shoving a pipe cleaner or coat hanger in the line?
Any comments or suggestions?
thanks
I have a 2001 Corvette. Car starts fine when cold. Runs great. After driving and leaving it sit for ~20 minutes, the car cranks and cranks but doesn't start. Cycling the ignition to acc. cures the issue. Tested fuel pressure and it drops off immediately after shutting the car off, eventually going to zero after 15min. I replaced all the injectors, and the fuel filter. I am now suspecting the fuel feed pipe check valve. But wouldn't that also impact when the car is cold?
Any chance of cleaning the check valve in car or shoving a pipe cleaner or coat hanger in the line?
Any comments or suggestions?
thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
Leaky injector(s) most likely-bet it takes a little to crank it in the AM (since there is no fuel in the fuel rail) but it will start when cold. Injectors are supposed to close unpowered. If they leak, they can flood the cylinder. Overnight, enough fuel evaporates in the cylinder so it's not flooded anymore.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
You might hear it leaking with a mechanics stethoscope. Black spark plugs are also a give away that cylinder is leaking. I send injectors to www.cruzinperformance.com - he flow tests them, cleans them and flow test again so you know the before and after.
The other way you can test is, lift the entire fuel rail (injectors and all) off the intake, turn the key to ON ONLY DO NOT TRY TO START THE CAR. The leaky injectors should stand out (since they'll be leaking). BE VERY CAREFUL HERE, if you don't catch the fuel someway, any little spark will make a VERY BAD DAY for you.
Get a gasoline safe container under each injector (small glass) to catch any sprayed fuel, have baking soda and/or a fire extinguisher for gasoline around JUST IN CASE to put out a fire.
The other way you can test is, lift the entire fuel rail (injectors and all) off the intake, turn the key to ON ONLY DO NOT TRY TO START THE CAR. The leaky injectors should stand out (since they'll be leaking). BE VERY CAREFUL HERE, if you don't catch the fuel someway, any little spark will make a VERY BAD DAY for you.
Get a gasoline safe container under each injector (small glass) to catch any sprayed fuel, have baking soda and/or a fire extinguisher for gasoline around JUST IN CASE to put out a fire.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,450
Likes: 1,155
From: Dyer, IN
Hello,
I have a 2001 Corvette. Car starts fine when cold. Runs great. After driving and leaving it sit for ~20 minutes, the car cranks and cranks but doesn't start. Cycling the ignition to acc. cures the issue. Tested fuel pressure and it drops off immediately after shutting the car off, eventually going to zero after 15min. I replaced all the injectors, and the fuel filter. I am now suspecting the fuel feed pipe check valve. But wouldn't that also impact when the car is cold?
Any chance of cleaning the check valve in car or shoving a pipe cleaner or coat hanger in the line?
Any comments or suggestions?
thanks
I have a 2001 Corvette. Car starts fine when cold. Runs great. After driving and leaving it sit for ~20 minutes, the car cranks and cranks but doesn't start. Cycling the ignition to acc. cures the issue. Tested fuel pressure and it drops off immediately after shutting the car off, eventually going to zero after 15min. I replaced all the injectors, and the fuel filter. I am now suspecting the fuel feed pipe check valve. But wouldn't that also impact when the car is cold?
Any chance of cleaning the check valve in car or shoving a pipe cleaner or coat hanger in the line?
Any comments or suggestions?
thanks
As already discussed, if the bleed down is excessive, you will need to isolate to the fuel rail, or fuel feed.
The cycling the ignition switch to acc. is confusing. If this problem is predictable, and can be reproduced, you should have your meter with you to troubleshoot in a no start condition......so you can make sure the ignition switch is working properly.
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