hard start issue

[Kent McLean]

On 11/17/2010 12:27 PM, robert weinberg wrote:
> hi all,
>
> fairly new phenomenon in the last couple of days. my 200 used to just fire right
> up.
>
> the car starts, but now it takes 2-3 seconds of cranking - with the throttle
> partially open, before it catches. once running, the engine idles smooth and the
> car runs perfectly fine.
>
> i'm fine with it - but don't want to get stuck at some point. it still pops
> right off once the engine is warm.
>
> any ideas?

a) check valve near the fuel pump. Keeps fuel in the line; when it breaks,
    fuel drains back to the tank and it takes some cranking to refill the line.

b) leaking injector(s). Same deal, fuel leaks into the out of the injectors,
    and it takes the pump some time to replace the missing fuel.

If you can put a fuel pressure gauge on it, you should see the drop in
pressure overnight.  The fuel doesn't have time to drain back if the car
is still warm.

-- 
Kent McLean
1999 A4 Avant, V6 Tiptronic
1990 200 Avant mit V8 conversion
gone: 1990 V8 w/5-speed and other mods
gone: 1991 200 TQA #3, with mods
gone: '91 200 TQA x2, '94 100 S Avant, '89 200 TQ "Bad Puppy"