91 Chrysler New Yorker 5th Avenue

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by HandeMan, May 17, 2004.

  1. HandeMan

    HandeMan Guest

    I have a 1991 Chrysler New Yorker with a 3.3 l engine, over 90K miles. It
    is getting very hard to start. It cranks a long time before the engine
    fires. I have replaced the fuel filter, checked fuel pressure(47lbs.)
    Does anyone have any ideas? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
    John
     
    HandeMan, May 17, 2004
    #1
  2. Is your hard starting every time you try to start the car, or just first
    thing in the morning?
     
    Daniel J. Stern, May 17, 2004
    #2
  3. HandeMan

    HandeMan Guest

    It is hard to start if it sets any length of time.
     
    HandeMan, May 17, 2004
    #3
  4. Probably because your fuel system is losing pressure as it sits, so the
    pump must refill and repressurize the entire system before the engine will
    start. This could mean the pump's output check valve has failed, or it
    could mean your fuel pressure regulator is faulty, or it could mean you
    have a small and undetected leak in the pressure supply side of your fuel
    system.

    DS
     
    Daniel J. Stern, May 17, 2004
    #4
  5. HandeMan

    Malaki86 Guest

    Easy way to test that (pump losing pressure). Turn the key on, wait about
    5 seconds, then try to start it. If it starts right up, the pump is
    losing pressure. If it doesn't, you may want to check your spark plugs.
     
    Malaki86, May 18, 2004
    #5
  6. The test you suggest will tell him nothing at all. The fuel pump runs for
    only a second or so on initial key turn-on, not enough to refill and
    repressurize a seriously drained system. It is a common myth that there is
    a pressure sensor and the pump runs until a particular pressure is
    reached. There is no such sensor.

    A variant of your test that would come closer to revealing a fuel system
    drainback condition would be to turn the key to "on", listen for the fuel
    pump whirr to begin and to stop, turn the key "off", turn the key back
    "on", listen for the fuel pump whirr to begin and stop, turn the key
    "off", wait 45 seconds (induced prime will only occur twice within a
    35-second period) , repeat, and *then* try to start the car. If it fires
    right up, the fuel system is losing pressure.

    If no fuel pump whirr on initial key-on, there's a problem with the fuel
    pump relay or its circuit, or there is an engine control module internal
    problem.

    DS
     
    Daniel J. Stern, May 18, 2004
    #6
  7. HandeMan

    Malaki86 Guest

    I have the exact same problem in a '94 Ford Tempo (pressure falls off when
    not running). I have to turn the key on, listen for the pump to stop
    running, then it starts instant. Otherwise it sits and just cranks away.

    I doubt that the entire fuel system from the injectors back to the tank
    are draining dry, it's just losing it's pressure, and letting the pump run
    before cranking the engine is an easy way to check that.

    The other way is to hook a pressure gauge onto the fuel rail at the
    injectors and leave it there while it sits overnight. See what pressure
    the system has before attempting to start.
     
    Malaki86, May 18, 2004
    #7
  8. HandeMan

    HandeMan Guest

    ok will try the test, if it is infact loosing pressure, is there a way to
    fix it without replacing fuel pump? Is the check valve on the fuel pump
    or somewhere on the outside of the tank? I really do appreciate all the
    help!

    Thanks
    John
     
    HandeMan, May 19, 2004
    #8
  9. I'm sure there's a check valve made by someone, and a mechanic who will
    splice it into your fuel line just downstream of the pump. Is it a good
    idea? Who knows?
    Built in.

    DS
     
    Daniel J. Stern, May 19, 2004
    #9
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