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89 v6 hard start (hot and cold)


auto89
05-23-2007, 03:45 PM
I have an '89 PU SR5, v6 xtra cab. 140k miles. It takes a lot of cranking to get it to start. It seems like holding the gas pedal down helps. It does this when cold or hot. If I turn it off when hot, and start it immediately, it will start with just one or two cranks. But, if I go into a store for 10 minutes or longer it takes a lot of cranking to start. I guess the common factor between cold and hot is that it's been turned off for awhile. The only time it seems to start quickly is if I turn it off and then start it immediately.

It has new plugs, plug wires, distributer cap and rotor, fuel pressure regulator and vacuum modulator valve (EGR vacuum valve, the plastic spaceship thing near the radiator with 3 vacuum hoses on top, one on the bottom going to the EGR valve).

I put the paper clip into the diagnostics. No codes. I checked for vacuum leaks. I don't smell gas when it starts. I don't think holding the pedal down is correcting an over-rich condition.

If anyone has any ideas I'd appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

Mark

auto89
07-06-2007, 10:47 PM
In case this helps anyone else, the problem was the Cold Start Injector. Based on what I read this and the Water Temp. Sensor looked like possible candidates. I ordered both online (for about $120). Replaced the sensor first. No difference.

Replaced the injector. First thing I noticed was 1) there was no fuel pressure in the line. The instructions said to removie it slowly because of the pressure (let it bleed off and catch it with a rag). It seemed like the pressure bled off in the 5 hours it sat. 2) The inside part of the injector (and interior of the intake manifold) were black with soot.

I Drove it with the new injector. Seemed to have a lower RPM. I let it sit an hour and it started like the good old days (two cranks, without pushing the pedal down). In the past few months I would have had to push the pedal to the floor and let it crank 7-8 times to get it to start after it sat for an hour. (Maybe 15 times if it sat 8 hours).

Hope this helps someone else.

Mark

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