My 1990 240SX-SE (1989 engine) 5-Speed with 95K miles on it has been reliable and had no problem starting in this winter....until last week.
I left it outside for over 24 hours in sub-zero temperature without fuel anti-freeze and it would not start. Starter and battery is OK (I installed new Nissan starter motor last summer). Sparks OK.
When I pour boiling water to intake manifold and fuel injection area, it starts up OK but in 15 seconds it dies. I suspected some kind of leak in intake area so tired with cold water but it did not start.
It seems like it has something to do with temperature. Now it is about 30 degree F and snow is melting but it still does not start without pouring hot water on intake manifold (but it dies immediately).
Any suggestions or input on possible cause of this problem would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
240SX Cold Start Problem
I would pull the fuel line from the rail,feed line from filter,and checkfor fuel flow and pressure. If you have flow check pressure 35-45psi. The fuel pump in the tank has a filter type sock on it and is very fine mesh. Under extreme conditions this sock can freeze up and restrict or stop fuel flow.
does the car start if you hold the throttle down to about 1/3 and continue to run if you attempt to keep a 2000 rpm range? If this make it start and continue to run I would suggest checking you FICD[Fast Idle Control Device] if it is not opening when the car is cold the car will flood out on initial start up and not run. The fact your pouring the boiling water on the intake says your heating it up briefly and this allows the fuel to vaporize as it does when the engine is at operating temp. when cold fuel does not vaporize as well and requires more air to allow it to run. This is the job of the FICD.
Thank you all for your inputs.
I checked fuel line after the filter and did not see any pressure coming while ignition is ON. While ignition is ON, do I hear the fuel pump? I looked at fuel pump cover area under trunk but did not hear any noticeable sound. Fuel pump fuse was OK.
Then I poured boiling water on intake area again and this time engine started and after kept it around 3000 rpm for 5 minutes, it started idling (a little rough) at 750rpm area. It was idling OK for 10 minutes and then died. After that, even with hot water, it ran for 10 seconds and died. Now it starts but less than a second later it dies.
Also, I am not sure if this is related but even ignition key is out, red/yellow LEDs on meter panel are on and they turn off when I shift a gear to reverse. This is strange.
I checked fuel line after the filter and did not see any pressure coming while ignition is ON. While ignition is ON, do I hear the fuel pump? I looked at fuel pump cover area under trunk but did not hear any noticeable sound. Fuel pump fuse was OK.
Then I poured boiling water on intake area again and this time engine started and after kept it around 3000 rpm for 5 minutes, it started idling (a little rough) at 750rpm area. It was idling OK for 10 minutes and then died. After that, even with hot water, it ran for 10 seconds and died. Now it starts but less than a second later it dies.
Also, I am not sure if this is related but even ignition key is out, red/yellow LEDs on meter panel are on and they turn off when I shift a gear to reverse. This is strange.