engine just cranks sometimes on start

[RyanD]

Sometimes if i turn the key from the off position the car will just turnover with no start for a few seconds instead of starting right up. If i turn the key to the acc then let the pump cycle it will start right up most of the time. Is this a fuel pump issue? My cb has 334k miles on it. The relay was replaced and it has about a 3 month old fuel filter.

[EsperHamid]

man if you really need responses quick, post pictures and videos about your problem, this is what I do. you can upload videos to youtube.com and pictures to photobucket.com

[Fleetw00d]

Will it eventually start if you let it keep cranking the first time? How old is the fuel pump? The fuel pump contains a check valve that is supposed to retain some pressure in the system after shut down. If it leaks then this pressure will bleed down and possibly the fuel in the line will drain back to the tank (a leaking injector or pressure regulator is near the top of the system, so they could allow the pressure to bleed down, but not allow the line to drain). The couple seconds the pump runs when first turning the key may not be enought to fill the line and rail. Experiment a bit, try cycling the key a few times before attempting to start, then see if it starts immediately. Next cold start, try cranking until it starts.

[RyanD]

Will it eventually start if you let it keep cranking the first time? How old is the fuel pump? The fuel pump contains a check valve that is supposed to retain some pressure in the system after shut down. If it leaks then this pressure will bleed down and possibly the fuel in the line will drain back to the tank (a leaking injector or pressure regulator is near the top of the system, so they could allow the pressure to bleed down, but not allow the line to drain). The couple seconds the pump runs when first turning the key may not be enought to fill the line and rail. Experiment a bit, try cycling the key a few times before attempting to start, then see if it starts immediately. Next cold start, try cranking until it starts.

Yes it will start if i sit there and hold it or if i let off then crank it again. Thanks for the info. How can i check injectors for leakage?

[Fleetw00d]

If they are leaking externally, you should be able to see it around the injectors. If internally, you would have to pull them out of the manifold, but somehow keep them clamped in the fuel rail, or rig up a way to check each individually.

You might buy a fuel pressure gage (I have one that attaches to the pressure port on the left end of the rail) and see if/how quickly the pressure decays after shut down.

Might also be that something in the system is dirty enough to prevent sealing. Try running a can or two of Seafoam or Techron through the system to clean it up.