jeeper31

Car usually cranks for what I feel is a long time before starting. I didn't start it for a few days and when I went to start it it took a few tries and a long time until it turned over. At this time the idle seemed to be pulsing, didin't sound like it was going to stall but the rev oscilated from ormal to fast.

Any idea what this could mean/be?

Peckster

No sure what you mean by turning over, is that what you call starting?

Assuming that, if you have to crank the engine for a long time before it starts, that's not a starter or battery problem, you've got some other issue with your engine.

If your battery was bad, your engine wouldn't turn over (crank) at all.

The hunting idle confirms that there's something the matter with the engine, possible ignition or mixture.

jeeper31

It idles like that for about a minute and then idles fine. Turning over does mean starting sorry. Just thought it might be battery because after not driving it for a few days it was even harder to start. Any other ideas?

Peckster

Rough idle for a minute sounds like it could be a bad head gasket. It takes a little while to burn off water that's leaked into the cylinder.

jeeper31

is that easy to repair?

jeeper31

Had battery, starter and alternator checked and all are fine. Help!!

944-LT1

Sounds like a vacuum problem, intake? But, try to rule out the fuel system. try a fuel system psi test. hook up a guage and check that the system is pressurizing at KOEO. if it does...turn the key off and see if it drops at all. It shouldnt drop more than a few PSI for about 15 minutes. i think its supposed to hold 35-40 lbs. If it does then you have a bad check valce in your pump. if you get zero off the bat then you know its the pump or fuse. Take off the hose to the TB and spray in starter fluid (might need a second pair of paws). ive done alot of cars that hard start or stumble and replaced the pump and bam that was it. Another quick test is vacuum leak. Get a small propane tank like a torch and go around the lines and see if the engine speeds a little. those lines do crack after time and can cause alot of problems with the engines performance.

jeeper31

KOEO?

Charlotte944

This sounds like either the fuel pump check valve or an injector is leaking.

Connect a fuel pressure gage to the end of the fuel rail, turn the engine over and watch the pressure. You should have around 40 psi. Once you have the fuel rail pressurized, stop the engine and watch for any pressure drop.

Here is another clue: The eninge is hard to start on the first try, but starts immediately on subsequent tries.

jd944

Nice shot of the Viet Nam Vets Memorial at Bald Hill.

jeeper31

Thanks. You from around here?

Scott at Team Harco

Key On, Engine Off.

Scott at Team Harco

No.

jd944

Born and raised in Huntington. Moved to Florida in 2001 after 47 years as an Islander.

Mongo

My 928 is doing the exact same as your car when I try to start it after the engine is warm. Definitely a fuel pump check valve. You can pick one up for 8-15 bucks depending where you go. If it still does it let us know.

Andy