Last winter I had this problem and its starting to do it again. When I go out in the morning to warm up the car, it has a hard time starting. Then when it does start, a bunch of black smoke comes out of the exhaust. I'm guessing unburnt fuel. I was thinking my fuel line was freezing up but my TBI is spraying fuel. In the summer, it starts with a quick twist of the key. Any ideas??? Thanks

 

88BB,

Does your K&N installation still make room for the MAT sensor? If you're seeing a black cloud, it's probably a little on the rich side, so a frozen fuel line is out of the picture. Besides, a fuel line typically won't freeze until -15°F or lower (wind chill doesn't count). A MAT that is disconnected will help create an extra rich startup fuel load.

The other possibility is that the injectors are leaking down, and since teh air is colder, the extra fuel doesn't have a chance to evaporate overnight, leaving you with a partially flooded condition. Have you monitorred the fuel line pressure after shut down to test for leakage?

 

I have the MAT installed, thats all good. I dont think my injectors are leaking. How would I check??? Do I turn the key to "on" and see if fuel drips??? Also I heard that it could be caused by a clogged evaporative fuel canaster, could that be a possibility??? Thanks.

 

If you think thats a probelm just take it out....

 

The EVAP canister should not purge until the engine is warmed running under some load, with a low throttle angle and moderate MAP (like when cruising). It should not deliver any fuel vapor or liquid while the engine is cranking, since there is not enough vacuum to purge the canister and the solenoid valve should not be open.

For the injector leakage, monitor fuel pressure with the engine running, then shut it off. Check fuel pressure about 30 minutes later. Theoretically, there should be no drop in pressure. If the pressure has fallen off, either the pump, regulator, or injectors are leaking down.

Another way you can test for injector leakage (since you have a TBI) is to fold a small section of paper towel and place a piece under each injector within a few minutes of shutting off the engine. Check the paper a few hours later. If there is liquid fuel on either piece, or you can detect the remnants of evaporated fuel, that injector(s) is leaking.