C5 hard start/fuel smell
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
C5 hard start/fuel smell
So I have a 1997 auto transmission base, and I have ran into a few issues with it...
First off I when I pulled the dipstick and oil cap it smelled a bit like fuel and both smoke a tad when the car is warm. My car starts inconsistently as sometimes it starts right up on first crank, or other times it takes multiple cranks/ seconds to turn over. When its warming up it feels like there is an occasional misfire. Oil pressure is normal. Also when shifting gears at lower speeds the car feels as if its being pushed and every once and awhile when cruising at around 1500-2000 rpm the car rpm will bounce up and down for a few seconds causing the car to go back and forth slightly. I tried looking on the forum for people with similar issues but couldn't find any solutions.
There's also an occasional clunk near the drivers side footwell when at low speeds but doesn't seem to affect the drivability of the car.
I bought this car used at around 104k miles and have replaced the spark plugs, coils, and wires. I flushed coolant and replaced oil, and the only mods done are BBK shorty headers along with x pipe and high flow cats, along with twin intake.
Any help/ advice would be greatly appreciated.
First off I when I pulled the dipstick and oil cap it smelled a bit like fuel and both smoke a tad when the car is warm. My car starts inconsistently as sometimes it starts right up on first crank, or other times it takes multiple cranks/ seconds to turn over. When its warming up it feels like there is an occasional misfire. Oil pressure is normal. Also when shifting gears at lower speeds the car feels as if its being pushed and every once and awhile when cruising at around 1500-2000 rpm the car rpm will bounce up and down for a few seconds causing the car to go back and forth slightly. I tried looking on the forum for people with similar issues but couldn't find any solutions.
There's also an occasional clunk near the drivers side footwell when at low speeds but doesn't seem to affect the drivability of the car.
I bought this car used at around 104k miles and have replaced the spark plugs, coils, and wires. I flushed coolant and replaced oil, and the only mods done are BBK shorty headers along with x pipe and high flow cats, along with twin intake.
Any help/ advice would be greatly appreciated.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,771
Likes: 940
From: Orlando Florida
My ‘99 rarely starts on the first turn of the key, and when cold virtually never. As I understand it, part of my issue is possibly the check valve, no longer retaining pressure. I have not put a pressure gage on the fuel rail for a cold start yet, but two short crankings to start doesn’t bother me enough to replace the check valve.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,470
Likes: 1,171
From: Dyer, IN
My ‘99 rarely starts on the first turn of the key, and when cold virtually never. As I understand it, part of my issue is possibly the check valve, no longer retaining pressure. I have not put a pressure gage on the fuel rail for a cold start yet, but two short crankings to start doesn’t bother me enough to replace the check valve.
Time to put a gauge on the fuel rail.
