ok, I've been logging when the van is hard to start.

If the van sits longer than 5 minutes, it is hard to start.
Have to grind on it for 5-6 seconds until it fires, recently we noticed a smell of gas or rich gassy exhaust after it fires. After it starts and the rough idle clears up it runs great, no misses, etc. just got 20mpg from MD to Myrtle beach.

I've had the following changed in the last 2 weeks..

wires
plugs
o2 sensor
throttle body cleaned and IAC sensor cleaned.
fuel filter replaced
pvc valve


I've got no check engine lights on or anything.


What's left that I could change or check, or is it time to take it to the pros?[/align][/align]Someone suggested an injector bleed could possibly cause this, or a def fuel check valve.[/align]How do you know if the injectors are bad, can they be repaired/rebuilt? Or do they need replaced?
Thanks![/align]

 

It sounds like you need to use a fuel pressure guage to see whether the fuel system is holding pressure after shut-down.
The fuel rail is supposed to hold a certain amount of pressure for a certain amount of time.If the pressure isn't being held,the fuel is leaking out somewhere.By the way you describe the problem,I'm going to guess it's leaking out an injector nozzle into the engine.This would cause the hard starting you describe due to a very rich mixture and until the engine clears itself it won't start.You can clear the engine by cranking the engine while holding the gas pedal to the floor.This shuts off the injectors and the engine won't start.

The injector could be held open by a piece of dirt or it could be simply worn out.

 

Has anyone removed the fuel rail and injectors on a 2000 3.3L ?

Is it necessary to remove the intake plenum? It looks like maybe the coil needs to come off for sure, can I just unbolt it and remove
it or will it mess it up electronically?

I am going to send the injectors off to be cleaned/ leak tested.

Thanks

 

bump

 

**** Update

Had the fuel injectors cleaned/rebuilt and put them back in.

Van is still hard to start, have to grind it for 5-7 seconds until it fires...Runs great after it starts!
Smells like raw gassy exhaustafter it does start

Replaced,

wires
plugs
o2 sensor
throttle body cleaned and IAC sensor cleaned.
fuel filter replaced
pvc valve
injectors


What else could it be that affects starting? fuel pump check valve? I believe that it is built into the fuel pump.
I'm about to give up and just live with it. Ugh!

 

*** Update to the update..LOL

Started the van this morning, fired right up???

Like it will fire good cold, but not when it's hot?

Possibly a temp sensor?? Where are they located?

 

I agree with chopper.... I'm thinking bad injector (even though you had them rebuilt (???)) or fuel pressure regulator and it is causing a leakdown simulating a flood situation. Does it start any easier if you hold the pedal right to the floor? A faulty temp sensor could tell the computer to alter the mixture for a rich situation, but I'd think you'd see a code... Have you checked for codes? (you might have an intermittant soft code that should show up on a scan)

 

I'm gonna rescan it for codes.
Also I'll put a fuel pressure guage on it.

The injectors passed a 100 psi pressure test. I don't think that's where the trouble is coming from.

The temp sensor sounds like something to look at.

Thanks!

 

**UPDATE

Finally found the problem..

Pulled the fuel rail, connected an air hose to the rail and pumped it up to 40lbs, the 2 injectors in the middle were blowing out gas..

I replaced the 2 defective injectors with new ones. Van now fires right up, runs great, no trouble!!! Woooo Hooo!!!


This trouble has cost me alot, I replaced the fuel pressure regulator, had to drop the tank...yuck!
I took the intake off and back on 3 times.....yuck...LOL! Time and Money..
But I learned alot on how this van is put together and how it works.

Just wish that when I sent the injectors out to be rebuilt that they would have been sent back 100% ready to go. It really cost be alot of time and money chasing the problem.

Thanks for the help guys.