Engine Hard To Start

[levizzle]

Ok I need some help diagnosing a problem with my R32 GTS-t. Recently it has become dodgy at starting and is becoming progressively worse. When I turn the key it kinda stutters and cranks a bit then stops and then is about to start and then doesnt but after maybe up to 10 secs it will crank over and start. Sometimes it barely does it and sometimes like to today it was really bad. Does anyone have an idea of where to start? First thought went to battery but if that was bad, wouldnt it have died by now, it has been going on for two weeks. Other ideas are starter motor, coilpacks, something else?

Also, probably related, engine almost stalls when I pull up to a stop and have the a/c on fan speed 3 or 4.

Any help would be appreciated.

Edited January 4, 2010 by levizzle

[ashr32]

Ok I need some help diagnosing a problem with my R32 GTS-t. Recently it has become dodgy at starting and is becoming progressively worse. When I turn the key it kinda stutters and cranks a bit then stops and then is about to start and then doesnt but after maybe up to 10 secs it will crank over and start. Sometimes it barely does it and sometimes like to today it was really bad. Does anyone have an idea of where to start? First thought went to battery but if that was bad, wouldnt it have died by now, it has been going on for two weeks. Other ideas are starter motor, coilpacks, something else?

Also, probably related, engine almost stalls when I pull up to a stop and have the a/c on fan speed 3 or 4.

Any help would be appreciated.

I'd check fuel pressure with a gauge as i had a broken fuel pressure regulator that didnt hold pressure when the pump primed. this caused the car to only start if i cranked it for 10 or so times.

i quick test is to clamp the return line and try to start the car, see if it starts straight away

[levizzle]

Which one is return, I am guessing the two black pipes coming from near the front of the extractors are the fuel lines. There is a top most one and lower one, which would be the return?

[ashr32]

Which one is return, I am guessing the two black pipes coming from near the front of the extractors are the fuel lines. There is a top most one and lower one, which would be the return?

the return is the one without the fuel filter attached. so its after the rail and fuel pressure regulator

[levizzle]

Thanks, havent tried it yet, as i just tested starting it up again and it started fine without doing a thing. Its weird because this morning it sounded the worst its been and just now it seemed almost ok.

[yUBER]

I have this exact same problem some days it struggles to start some days it starts fine.

[n1k00]

battery?

[lukebaldan]

AAC?

[levizzle]

Well I have replaced oil and spark plugs just as regular maintenance because it was due. I also cleaned the battery terminals incase that was a problem. This all seemed to help a bit, but it still has its occassional fit. When it decides to be hard to start, it sounds kinda like a rattling, is this a problem or is it the motor just trying to crank. The battery is one of those non-serviceable batteries and it just has a green indicator to show if its ok and its changes red if it needs replacing apparently. Its still green, but could I test if it was the battery by connecting another car by jumper leads and then trying to start?

[blind_elk]

By now you may well have flooded the engine. Try starting with WOT - this allows lots of air to help ignite the fuel lying around in the cylinders.

That doesn't address the root cause, though. I would start by getting the injectors professionally cleaned.

[levizzle]

I dont think I have flooded the engine, it does start and I have been driving it around its just some days it takes a lot longer. By the way wat is WOT?

[lukebaldan]

WOT = Wide Open Throttle

Even if my battery is quite flat, the starter motor barely turns over and the car still starts quickly. I think it is safe to rule out the battery.

[levizzle]

Well i cleaned the aac valve which has helped some of my other issues and I noticed the engine starts a bit easier now. I dont know how long this will last but it seems to have helped at least. Seriously every skyline owner should clean their aac valve, it seems to fix alot of problems :-)