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Fuel Injection Vehicle Slow to Start

From "Talk2DIY Automotive"
episode DTTA-143

For a fuel-injected car, ideally you should have your foot off the gas pedal when you start the ignition.
For a fuel-injected car, you could have lack of fuel coming into the system. The way to find out if the car is getting full and adequate fuel pressure is to go to the shrader valve (figure A) that is located on the fuel rail. The valve only operates when you depress a pin inside that corresponds with a pin inside a fuel pressure gauge. The gauge has a sweep hand (figure B) that will show the amount of pressure you should have. Make sure the ignition is off when you hook up the gauge, and then start the car and make sure you have at least 35 to 40 PSI. Your problem could be that the system is not bringing up the fuel pressure fast enough when you start the car and it takes longer to start.
Safety tip: You need to make sure and wear a face shield or eye goggles because a little fuel will spray out.

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

Figure D

Another possibility would be that once the vehicle starts with the fuel pressure gauge hooked up, you should see a change in fuel pressure when you disconnect the fuel pressure regulator (figure C). You should see a change in the fuel pressure in the gauge when you disconnect the vacuum line to the fuel pressure regulator. If the fuel pressure regulator is not functioning properly, it could be the reason you are having a problem.
If your battery light is on, your charging system may not be operating properly and that could indirectly cause the car not to start well. With a multimeter on the 20-volt scale (figure D), hook the meter to the battery. Before you start the engine, it should read 12.2 to 12.6 volts and once you start the engine it should be 13.5 volts or higher and that will indicate that your alternator is working properly. If the alternator is not charging, it will stay at about 12.4 volts with the engine running.
Finally, make sure your engine is properly tuned -- with your sparkplugs being recently replaced, etc.

RESOURCES :

Dye Ink, Alcohol Ink
Ranger Industries, Inc.
Website: www.rangerink.com
Bend-Pak, Inc.
Website: www.bendpak.com

Griot's Garage
3500-A 20th St. E.
Tacoma, WA 98427
Website: www.griotsgarage.com

Meguiar's Cleaners and Waxes
Meguiar's, Inc.
17991 Mitchell S.
Irvine, CA 92614
Toll-free: 800-347-5700
Website: www.meguiars.com

Jasper Engines and Transmissions
PO Box 650
Jasper, IN 47547-0650
Toll-free: 800-827-7455
E-mail: sales@jasperengines.com
Website: www.jasperengines.com

Polishes, Waxes and Cleaners (Mothers Inc.)
Mothers® Inc.
Website:www.mothers.com

GUESTS :

Jeff Jeppesen
Classy Cars Auto Detailing
Website: www.classycarsdetailing.com