Hi all, 

 

I just bought a 2002 3L and iv noticed 2 things that I believe to be related. 
 
1. Several cranks before firing only on cold start. 
 

2. Built up pressure in the fuel tank when I remove the full cap. 
 

I have no check engine light. 
 

Wondering if this could be a purge valve or a vent valve on the evap system? 
 

cheers 

47 minutes ago, Sixfeetofjdm said:

Hi all, 

 

I just bought a 2002 3L and iv noticed 2 things that I believe to be related. 
 
1. Several cranks before firing only on cold start. 
 

2. Built up pressure in the fuel tank when I remove the full cap. 
 

I have no check engine light. 
 

Wondering if this could be a purge valve or a vent valve on the evap system? 
 

cheers 

 

Hello,

 

Possibly excess friction in engine due to cold temperatures.

 

It is not unusual for a pressure differential to form in fuel tanks on many vehicles.

 What I meant by cold start is the engine has been off for an hour or more. Not that the engine is actually really cold. if it’s been running and I shut it off then start it again immediately it starts on the first turn. But if it’s been sitting for an hour or more it turns over a few times before it starts. Mabey I’ll loosing fuel pressure ? 

11 hours ago, Sixfeetofjdm said:

 What I meant by cold start is the engine has been off for an hour or more. Not that the engine is actually really cold. if it’s been running and I shut it off then start it again immediately it starts on the first turn. But if it’s been sitting for an hour or more it turns over a few times before it starts. Mabey I’ll loosing fuel pressure ? 

 

Probably a red herring but ensure your starter battery is fully charged at all times.

 

Could be a vapour lock, but I don't know how you go about tracing that.

 

Can you hear the fuel pump prime when you switch the ignition on ?

 

 

Agree with @Rojie, could be a fuel pump priming problem when you turn on ignition. You should be able to check fuel rail pressure at ignition on with any JOBD tool although I'll double check that claim tomorrow on my van.

 

I think purging only occurs after the engine is up and running so I doubt it is that.

Wouldn’t that throw a code though? 

Possibly. You may have a non-legislated code which wouldn't necessarily put the check engine lamp on. It is only illuminated if the fault degrades emissions performance as required by law. Also it usually requires two consecutive trips to do so if memory serves.

OK, my JOBD reader (Ancel JP700) only reads and clears fault codes. I must be getting confused with the OBD tool for my other car.

 

I checked with Techstream and there's no fuel pressure PID as you can see in the screenshot. I checked the wiring diagrams and there's no fuel pressure sensor anyway, on the 2.4L at least, so that explains why there's no reading and may also explain why @Sixfeetofjdm may have low fuel pressure but not have any diagnostic codes.

 

If you leave a good ten seconds between ignition on and cranking does the crank time improve (shorten)?

 

Very interesting. Thanks for that info. I’m also wondering if I have fuel pressure issues would that not affect the running of the engine? The van engine runs and drives  perfectly fine it appears. It’s only starting. It turns over strong it just doesn’t fire until it’s turned over several times. 

It is weird that it only affects starting.

 

Could be spark plug fouling. This affects starting more than running from what I've read. Perhaps worth a check?

That would make sense.When the cylinders are hot it starts fine.