'02 Q45 not starting on first try

[nchopp]

Ok, so other than this, the new Q is running beautifully. But pretty consistently (90+% of the time) she won't start on the first go. The engine just won't turn over. If I give it some gas as I try to start it that usually helps. It always starts, but sometimes it takes a few tries. I use Shell fuel, and this has been happening for a few weeks now. Tried running some fuel injector cleaner (does that stuff EVER do anything?) on the off-chance that it'd help, but no dice.

Any ideas?

[maxnix]

Be wary of a leaking injector causing hydraulic locking!

Mileage? Plugs? No maintenance history doesn't help us diagnose this aberrant behavior from afar.

[nchopp]

158,000 miles. I'll have to dig through the maintenance records to try to find recent work done - I just bought the car a month ago.

Edit: 24,800 miles
Countermeasure crankshaft and camshaft position sensors as per recall
Countermeasure idler pulley mounting bracket as per recall

Other than that, just oil changes and some tie-rod issues. Doesn't look like it's had any other maintenance.

[qship96]

Past time to play catch up with routine maintenance- change every fluid and filter on/in the car.....every single one. change sparkplugs too. Have you scanned for any active/pending codes with a obd2 scan tool?

[nchopp]

Past time to play catch up with routine maintenance- change every fluid and filter on/in the car.....every single one. change sparkplugs too. Have you scanned for any active/pending codes with a obd2 scan tool?

Roger that. We just moved down here to Augusta, GA a few weeks ago, so haven't had much time to work on the car yet. Still a very new purchase. Gonna go use the car shop on post.

[Eikon]

Hi buddy!

[nchopp]

Herro Seth. How's it going, my tiny friend?

[elwesso]

First thing I would suspect is maybe some filter changes.. Mainly air and fuel filter, I bet if the fuel filter hasnt been changed that would cause a hard start issue.. Same thing with the plugs. Fuel pumps don't seem to be a big problem area on these cars, so I wouldn't suspect that off hand.

As qship96 said I'd start with the filters and plugs and see where that lands you, if they're original I bet that takes care of it.

Also Brian, FYI- F50's appear to use top feed injectors (EM-30 in the 2002 manual) so the likelihood of leakage past the injectors causing hydrolock seems unlikely, or much less likely than the side-feeds of yore..

[nchopp]

Thanks Westicle and qship. I'll try taking care of that on Wednesday. Fairly easy job for both, or am I in for an all-day thing?

[elwesso]

After a quick look at the FSM, it appears that the fuel filter is a "maintenance free item". It is located on the fuel pump sending unit inside the tank so you have to take the fuel pump out of the tank in order to replace the filter..

Spark plugs look easy though, I'd start with that and maybe the air filter and see what that does.

[nchopp]

Awesome. That would be a "take it in to a mechanic" kind of job. I don't feel like dealing with the hassle of trying to get that back seat out of there and then messing with the fuel pump. Spark plugs, air filter, and fluids it is.