Razmo

What's up Guys,

I'm experiencing an unpredictable starting issue. She's climate controlled garage kept, highly cared for with a recently replaced CPS and a new starter. Dating back, I've sort of always had a very seldom starting delay from time to time, as if its starved of fuel on startup or getting bad fuel for a minute, but always started right up after a second attempt. For years and years.

However, tried starting her up yesterday after sitting for a couple days, tried for a moment then died. Second attempt, pretty much nothing. Third attempt, just kept turning over without start. So I tried priming, by turning the ignition on/off a couple times. Didn't want to start again until I started pumping the throttle. She then ran rough, produced a strong gasoline odor, wanting to die out so I continued to manipulate keeping her running with the throttle. Took her for a drive, want to low idle for a bit, but after warming up everything was normal again.

Let her sit over night. Started up fine this morning, ran fine and started back up fine through the day. No trouble.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Raz

Superscan811

It may be a leaky injector bleeding down the fuel pressure when stopped for a while.
I'd also check the fuel pump and/or filter.
Having a similar issue with my '99 WJ.
To get it to start first time, I need to prime the system as you did.
It then starts easily but with a strong smell of fuel.

Cheers.

Razmo

My low idle problem seemed to be a byproduct of whatever is causing the faulty start problem. I think priming created the odor as it doesn't emit the odor otherwise, during a normal start routine. I thought to prime due to thinking the fuel pump check valve may be leaky at times. The faulty start problem seems to be weather related. As if the performance of the aging check valve fluctuates with weather change?

A friend did to a fuel pressure check over the summer. Seemed normal over all, but also seemed to lose pressure somewhat quickly for a bit. All in all, my problem is inconsistent. I'm thinking I may as well replace the fuel pump and maybe just do the injectors if they are prone to causing such a problem.. Likely worth replacing the fuel filter too..

Raz