Hi All-
I’ve been using the search function and finding lots of threads on cold starts, but none of them seem to address the situation I am having.
Ever since it’s gotten cold here in Nebraska, my ‘00 2.8 starts really horribly. It will crank and try to fire and then stumble and die. I usually have to try it 3 or 4 times before it starts. I usually press the accelerator as well (channeling my carbureted days) and I’m not sure if that helps or not. After it starts, it runs and idles fine, and starts again when it’s warmed up. But if it sits overnight <40deg, it will hard start.
What I have done so far:
—VANOS kit was done last year, because it did start hard in the cold, that was a VANOS seal symptom. (The cold starts at that time weren’t real bad, just a slight stumble on the first crank)
—I bought a fuel pressure tester at HF. Pressure reads 0psi after sitting overnight, but as soon as I turn the key on, it jumps up to about 50psi. I have tried to remember to turn the key on for at least 5 seconds to get the fuel pressure up before starting, and it doesn’t seem to help.
—Spark plugs were replaced last year with OEM model.
Edited to add:
—I did a bottle of ISO-HEET on the last tank, and a bottle of Techron on this tank.
The CEL does not come on, but I will check codes with INPA later today.
PO replaced ICV about 3 years ago, but used a cheap AutoZone part.
I was going to order an OEM ICV, unless somebody has any other ideas of things to check?
Thanks all!!
Mitch
Last edited by sydjai; 11-29-2020 at 06:05 PM.
The first thing you have to do is pump the gas pedal many times, causing the accelerator pump to put lots of gas in there, if you are "channeling"...... I may be of no help here, but I'll offer something quick and easy to try. I would guess fuel pressure could be the problem. You seem to know what you're doing, so you may know that the fuel pump only operates a few seconds if you don't start the car. Maybe your "3 or 4 times", is giving it enough time to get fuel to the injectors. So, I would turn on the key for about 10-15 seconds, without starting the car, several times ... before trying to start the car. If that helps at all, then your fuel pressure is leaking down while the car sits overnight.
ICV does seem suspect...
I'd def pull codes first thing.
I like zellamay's suggestion as a test. If building fuel pressure helps, then you can focus on fuel pressure...
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