1998 V70 Sloppy Start, Long Crank (fuel pump, tank seal) Topic is solved

Post by **benpineapple** » 13 Feb 2017, 15:25

Hi hi, looking for some input on a odd issue that's getting worse.

So, maybe 3 months ago I noticed my V70 was taking a bit more time cranking to start. It went from starting instantly, to taking a good half to full second to run. Found that it would start up right away (like it should), if I would prime the fuel pump before cranking (turn the key to the II position and wait a second). Well, now the it is getting worse. Even with allowing the pump to prime, it is taking 1-2 seconds of cranking to fire up. It will only be symptomatic when the car has been off for more than 15 or 20 minutes. If I'm running errands and the car has only been off for a couple minutes, there's no need to prime it. And when it is symptomatic, the car acts like it is stumbling a bit when finally running. No CEL or misfire codes.

Not sure if related, but it also seems to me like the fuel pump isn't prime for as long as it used to.

Airtex aftermarket fuel pump (installed 8 months ago), OEM fuel pump relay has about 18mos on it, injectors are factory.

Thanks for looking! Let me know if you need clarification or anything.

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 14 Feb 2017, 08:22

Ben,
I think I read something somewhere about how MAFs and Engine Temperature Sensors can impact crank time... Are those two new(ish), too?

Post by **rspi** » 14 Feb 2017, 09:28

Sad to say, this is not a Honda.

From the owner's manual:
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2. Apply the parking brake, if not already set. The gear selector (automatic transmission) is locked in the (P)ark position (SHIFT LOCK).
3. Without touching the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to the starting position. Allow the starter to operate for 5 seconds (turbo: 10 seconds). Release the key as soon as the engine starts. If the engine fails to start, repeat step 3.
For cold starts at altitudes above 6000 ft (1800 meters), depress the accelerator pedal halfway and turn the key to the starting position. Release the pedal slowly when the engine starts.
-------------------------------------

Post by **benpineapple** » 14 Feb 2017, 11:05

theWIFES_S70 wrote:Ben,
I think I read something somewhere about how MAFs and Engine Temperature Sensors can impact crank time... Are those two new(ish), too?

MAF sensor is less than a year old. Engine temp sensor is of an unknown age. I'll check impedance on the sensor. I thought I had read that a faulty ETC will only cause a slow start if the motor is already hot. I'm only experiencing the slow start when the car has cooled down.

rspi wrote: Sad to say, this is not a Honda.

Haha, seems easy enough to just crank it for 10 seconds.

Post by **sleddriver** » 14 Feb 2017, 12:05

benpineapple wrote:Engine temp sensor is of an unknown age. I'll check impedance on the sensor. I thought I had read that a faulty ETC will only cause a slow start if the motor is already hot. I'm only experiencing the slow start when the car has cooled down.

??????
Nope...I imagine it's pretty cold in Mi this time of year. With a faulty ECT or faulty wiring, the ECM will think the engine is warm rather than bone cold. Thus, it will be difficult to start.

Post by **misha** » 14 Feb 2017, 17:35

benpineapple wrote:...Found that it would start up right away (like it should), if I would prime the fuel pump before cranking (turn the key to the II position and wait a second)...

You always need to prime system before start.

That said....turn the key to pos.II,wait about 2 sec allowing system to prime and then start the car.

About starting getting worse i would say that Airtex fuel pump is the main problem or it's built in check valve....especially if you drive the car frequently with low on fuel(about just 15l in the tank).

Bad ect would throw a code and you would have erratic behaviour of temperature needle.

Post by **benpineapple** » 22 Feb 2017, 07:05

misha wrote:About starting getting worse i would say that Airtex fuel pump is the main problem or it's built in check valve....especially if you drive the car frequently with low on fuel(about just 15l in the tank).

Issue resolved. Was a combined failure of the pump's check valve and the tank lock ring seal. Because both of those were failing, fuel lines would fill with air while the car was off, making it crank for long periods of time on startup. Got a new pump, and used Loctite gasket-maker on the lock-ring seal. Shouldn't have any fuel delivery issues again.

Thanks all for chiming in.