Slow Start

I have a '94 Dodge Caravan with the 3 litre 6. It starts fine when it's
cold but after I drive it and shut it off and leave it for a while I have to
crank it over quite a bit before it fires up. The longer it sits the harder
it is to start. If I just shut it off to get gas it starts ok or if it sits
over night it will start ok. The mechanic says no error codes and couldn't
find anything else wrong with it. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Rod

 

Rod, It sounds as if you have a leaking injector causing your problem, when
the engine is hot you don't need allot of fuel to start it, therefore the
leak is causing a flooded condition.
When you start the engine cold you would need more fuel such as a choke
(your coolant sensor does this) and the leaking injector is also giving a
rich mixture but not causing a problem due to a cold condition.
When you start it up after a hot soak do you notice any unusual smoke from
the tail pipe?

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

You may well be losing fuel system pressure with extended sitting. This
can be due to a faulty fuel pump output check valve, a faulty fuel
pressure regulator, one or more leaky fuel injectors, and/or a pinhole
leak in the fuel line.

DS

 

You might be able to discern between the possible causes listed in Dan's
post by trying to let the fuel system pressurize a couple of times (ignition
key on position, do not attempt to start for about 20 seconds, then shut
off, wait a minute, then repeat) before attempting to start the vehicle. If
it starts more easily, then it would indict the check valve for instance.
If it makes matters worse, then it would point to the fuel injectors. You
may be able to determine which injector is leaking by removing the injectors
then wrapping each in A paper towel overnight. If it is wet in the AM you
found the culprit

Bob

 

If it were the check valve in the fuel pump causing the problem it would be
a long crank time as the vehicle sat overnight. The OP said it starts fine
when left overnight.
It appears to be only a hot soak restart, more then likely a flooded
condition from and injector leak. That was a common problem on that vehicle.

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

No actually it fires right up with no smoke. What you say makes some sense
though. Thanks

 

I was wondering if there was maybe a loss in fuel pressure. Thanks.

Rod

 

Right, Thanks.
It sounds like a similar problem as with a carbureted motor with a dripping
carb. I'll look into the injector idea.

Rod