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Hard to start Hot or Cold with long interval between starts

Sent to Car Experts June 28, 2006 9:21 a.m.

1994 Dodge Spirit 6 cyd. - Starting takes 3,4,5 tries of cranking the engine (3 or 4 seconds) before care starts. Does not matter if the car is cold or hot. What does matter is the time between starts. the longer the interval the more cranking needs to be done. You can start the car fine over and over again as long as the time between starts are less than about 10-20 minutes. then it's multiple cranks again.

Optional Information:
1994 Dodge spirit 6cyd

Already Tried:
plugs, rotor & dist cap, gas treatments, checked for vacum leaks, loose hoses, wires, checked air filter

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Status: Closed Value: $9

Answer
June 28, 2006 9:31 a.m. (9 minutes and 24 seconds later)

REPLIED

Hello Customer (name blocked for privacy), Thanks for trusting JustAnswer for your car question.

It sounds like your fuel pump is going bad or your fuel filter is clogged.

Try this: Before you start cranking the engine, turn the key to the On/Start position and back to Off 3 times (leaving in the On/Start position for a 3 seconds) Then start engine. If it starts faster, then the fuel filter is clogged or the fuel pump needs to be changed.

Let me know how you make out OK?

__________________
Russell S Wydra

Wydranator -- Auto Mechanic -- 100% Positive Feedback on 82 Car Accepts
30 years experience in automotive, motorcycle and small engine repair.

Reply to Wydranator
Sent June 28, 2006 9:47 p.m. (12 hours and 16 minutes later)

I tried this already and no good, thanks anyway.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Answer
June 28, 2006 9:55 p.m. (8 minutes and 7 seconds later)

REPLIED

Have you done a fuel pressure test to test the pressure regulator?

That would be my next move.

Wydranator -- Auto Mechanic -- 100% Positive Feedback on 82 Car Accepts
30 years experience in automotive, motorcycle and small engine repair.

Reply to Wydranator
Sent June 28, 2006 10:19 p.m. (23 minutes and 40 seconds later)

Are you talking about the pressure from the fuel pump at the or around the filter. and what should it be?

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Answer
June 28, 2006 10:23 p.m. (3 minutes and 48 seconds later)

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Wydranator -- Auto Mechanic -- 100% Positive Feedback on 82 Car Accepts
30 years experience in automotive, motorcycle and small engine repair.

Answer
June 28, 2006 10:37 p.m. (14 minutes and 14 seconds later)

REPLIED

Fuel pressure should be 38 to 40 lbs with the Key ON, engine OFF. (should maintain about 36 lbs while runnung) This pressure should be reached within the 3 seconds or so that the pump runs when you 1st turn the key to the ON position.

To check it you would need to rent a fuel pressure tester from Autozone or Advance Auto.

There is a schrader valve (looks like a bicycle valve with a cap on it) somewhere on the fuel rail, and the tester screws right on there to test the pressure.

Any further questions, don't hesitate getting back to me OK?

__________________
Russell S Wydra

Wydranator -- Auto Mechanic -- 100% Positive Feedback on 82 Car Accepts
30 years experience in automotive, motorcycle and small engine repair.

Reply to Wydranator
Sent June 29, 2006 9:06 p.m. (22 hours and 28 minutes later)

I will rent the gauge and let you know.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Answer
June 29, 2006 11:15 p.m. (2 hours and 9 minutes later)

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Wydranator -- Auto Mechanic -- 100% Positive Feedback on 82 Car Accepts
30 years experience in automotive, motorcycle and small engine repair.

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