Long Cranking Time on 99 S70 GLT

Cricket502 · Post by **Cricket502** » 14 Jan 2018, 15:24

So I've been having this problem since maybe Thanksgiving and I still can't figure it out. The car still starts so it's more of an annoyance than anything (so far), so that's why I waited so long to post. That and it takes a long time to scour the entire internet for a solution...

From a cold start, it can take anywhere from 1 second to 10 seconds of cranking before the car finally starts. It usually starts right up once warm. Turning the key to position II for a while to try and prime the fuel pump first doesn't seem to change much. Once it starts it idles and runs just fine, occasionally the first split second after starting has a bit of a kick but that's it. Around Christmas I started getting a random misfire check engine code on the highway and when accelerating hard. Based on everything I read, it sounded like my fuel pump check valve or pump itself was going bad, so I replaced the fuel pump and fuel filter. No more misfires, but I still have the long cranking problem.

The battery is only 1.5 years old, so I don't think it's that. I have had check engine code P0455 for a gross evap leak for years (tried replacing the gas cap, no luck and no problems due to the code, unless this is related) but that's the only CEL I'm getting after putting in the new fuel pump.

I just checked the car after sitting overnight and there was zero fuel pressure. Nothing came out of the Schrader valve under the hood. Is that normal, or should there be some pressure even after sitting overnight? What else could be causing the long cranking problem?

Post by **misha** » 14 Jan 2018, 15:41

Regular priming,just before you start it is a MUST.System is designed that way.That's why the fuel pump runs about 2 seconds with key in pos.II...alowing the system to prime before start.
You need to try to prime it 2-3 times before you start it in order to eliminate check valve problem.
So....key in position II wait 2 seconds...back to pos.I and immediately back to pos.II.
Do that 2-3 times and 3rd time start the engine.

Cricket502 · Post by **Cricket502** » 14 Jan 2018, 18:53

Alright, I followed those directions and it fired right up on the third crank. So I'm definitely losing fuel pressure. I'm thinking possible causes would be a faulty check valve in my new fuel pump from FCP, an actual leak in a fuel hose, or a leak in another component of the fuel system (injectors, fuel pressure dampener, not sure what else)? Anything else to look at, or specific places that are common to leak?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 14 Jan 2018, 23:30

The check valve is located in the fuel pump cartridge itself. If you only replaced the pump itself and reused the housing (which is typical) then it won't fix a bad check valve.

If you are not holding pressure at the rail then the only options are to change the fuel pump cartridge or add a check valve to the fuel line.

...Lee

Post by **abscate** » 15 Jan 2018, 00:39

The specs o n a 1999 are 52 psi furl pressure at the rail, and at least 29 psi at the rail after 20 minutes. No overnight spec. That isn't a bad thing to measure though so maybe that's my project this week.

Post by **wizechatmgr** » 15 Jan 2018, 01:55

You're welcome to come measure mine as I fire it up at ~0755 @ 6 F... Hasn't been run since 1830 yesterday.

P.S. it's colder than cold out

Post by **abscate** » 15 Jan 2018, 06:25

I'll leave the fuel pressure gauge out in the tundra for you...

Don't push the " incoming Missile button" by mistake this morning. (MRS Abscate actually is on that team in NYS)

Cricket502 · Post by **Cricket502** » 15 Jan 2018, 07:42

I replaced the entire fuel pump assembly, not just the pump itself, so it sounds like the check valve should have been part of that new assembly. I'm going to poke around when I get a chance to pull my car into the garage today (way too cold outside here too) and see if I see or smell a leak anywhere. If not, I'll hit up autozone and see if they have a fuel pressure gauge I can borrow to get more info about my pressure drop over time.

Post by **misha** » 15 Jan 2018, 08:01

What brand is your new fuel pump/assembly?
Is it new or used?
Large vacuum leak can affect starting and running.

Cricket502 · Post by **Cricket502** » 15 Jan 2018, 09:28

The fuel pump was a Delphi fuel pump assembly, new from FCP Euro. I'll look for bad vacuum hoses too while I'm under the hood