Hi guys,

When I'm driving around for a while, the engine reaches the normal operating temperature, and I shut off the engine, it's very hard to start it again. Only if I give a little gas simultaneously, it starts well, but if I not, it won't. No problem starting when engine is relatively cold. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Alf

 

EDIT: Your car is fuel injected right?
Does the starter still spin quickly when hot?

Check and see if the car is holding fuel pressure. Just like the cooling system, the fuel system holds pressure when you shut the car off. It does this because pressurized fuel has a higher boiling point. If the car does hold pressure, the fuel can boil and when you try to start the car you'll get fuel bubbles that won't ignite.

Hook up a FP gauge, turn the key on, let the fuel pump run, then check FP. It should rise to ~45 psi and hold. If it drops quickly you have a problem.

 

Do you know the octane of the gas you buy in Hungary?
That MAY contribute.

 

Actually... along Dan's idea.. what year of car do you have? I wonder if you have the 85-89 with the cold start injector... and if you do, I wonder if you're starting the car "wrong". Correct way- turn the key to "on" but don't crank the engine. Wait 3-4 seconds (until you hear the in-tank fuel pump shut off). Then, turn the key the rest of the way to crank the engine. This allows the fuel system to prime.

If I just hop in my car and turn the key from "off" to "crank", the engine cranks forever. If I let the pump prime, and then crank the motor, the car starts up after a half-spin of the starter.

I mentioned the cold-start injector because I think that when the car's cold, the CSI is helping to give your car the extra fuel that it's not getting (from an un-primed system).

 

Hi guys!

Let's see...


CaliCamaroRS,

Yes, it is 2.8 MPFI. The starter spins up quickly, no problem with that. I don't know if I can get a FP gauge in here...


KED85,

It is octane 95. Is that OK?


TomP,

Yeah, I have an '86-87 Camaro ('86 by the VIN, but the original engine in it has serpentine belt, which is from '87 - so I don't exactly know).
I'm always waiting for the FP shut off, never tried to start immediately.

Thanks for the answers!

Alf

 

You've got primo gas octane.
Me?
I think ignition weak due to cooler weather?
Check vacuum hoses? Especially underside.