Car hard to start. Round 2

[Daledude]

I am about to go crazy. I posted this before but I have some new info and wanted to get opinions. I have a 2003 G35 sedan and my car problem is this. .... Sometimes the car starts on the first try. Most of the time you have to crank it 2 or 3 times to get it to start. When it does start slowly like this it sputters a little then fires up. It starts better in cold weather than warm weather and it usually starts right up first thing in the morning but is harder later in the day. The dealership tried replacing my batter, cleaning the TB and injectors, and replacing my MAF. No difference. Now they tell me I have low fuel pressure at startup and at idle. In reading my manual I see there is a fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator in the tank, and a fuel damper at the firewall. Would you replace any or all of these to fix low fuel pressure at startup and idle? Thanks.

[BrandAidDesignG35]

Just start with the fuel filter, and work your way strategically back to the tank,

I would've guessed MAF, but you say they're replacing the MAF?

That sucks you're having problems, I'd change the plugs too... How many Miles on the G?

[joe603]

Fuel filter is in the tank...but I agree that this should be the first step in troubleshooting. You may have to replace the fuel pump. I'd go aftermarket.

[tollboothwilley]

The fuel filter is supposed to last the lifetime of the car. I wouldn't be assuming this is the culprit just yet.

Sounds like fuel pump to me. Thats the first thing I would check.

[Jacko3]

DALEDUDE:

Try pressing the accelrator pedal about twice, before cranking the car. If is cranks, then you may need to look at your fuel filter or fuel pump, especially if it makes the normal turning or whining start noise. However, i seriously doubt your fuel pump is the issue here, as fuel pumps tend to last as long as 10 years for the most part. Fuel filter or fuel regulator, could be damaged or clogged in some ways.

If you are not gettting the regular turning or whinning noise during these starting attempts, then take a close look at your ignition switch. As cars age, their ignition switch wears away. Much cheaper to replace than fuel pump. You could also have a fouled spark plug. Have you changed these of late?

I have rarely heard or seen Japanese cars having fuel related problems, except when they age or from abuse. They tend to have electrical problems first. So, pay attention to the electrical probelms first. I am unsure if your OBDII will give a reading on this.

Just my 2 cents.

[Jacko3]

Daledude:

Check your ignition switch! it maybe bad. Whatever is happening, maybe temperature and age related, and this is always were electrical components show their weakness. Again, I say this because the problem seems inconsistent. Fuel pumps and filters will give you almost the same consistent problem regardless of temperature.

[joe603]

Good point Jack!!

[telcoman]

I am about to go crazy. I posted this before but I have some new info and wanted to get opinions. I have a 2003 G35 sedan and my car problem is this. .... Sometimes the car starts on the first try. Most of the time you have to crank it 2 or 3 times to get it to start. When it does start slowly like this it sputters a little then fires up. It starts better in cold weather than warm weather and it usually starts right up first thing in the morning but is harder later in the day. The dealership tried replacing my batter, cleaning the TB and injectors, and replacing my MAF. No difference. Now they tell me I have low fuel pressure at startup and at idle. In reading my manual I see there is a fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator in the tank, and a fuel damper at the firewall. Would you replace any or all of these to fix low fuel pressure at startup and idle? Thanks.

Daledude

I feel your pain

My first car was a 1958 $uckin Ford 352 cu in that had the same problem. After replacing coil, ignition wires, distributor cap,points,plugs, condensor, fuel filter, fuel pump, the $uckin car still wouldn't start when it rained so I got rid of it. Perhaps your G is made from recycled parts of my old Ford?

My advice is to take care of the service people at the dealer $$$. Take a loaner and tell them to call you when they find the problem. You shouldn't have to pay for every part of your car while they try to find the problem. Ask them to return the old parts to you of every part they replace.

Telcoman

[Sentientbydesign]

If you have low fuel pressure, they should be able to test and pinpoint the source.

Instead of pumping your gas as Jacko mentioned, I would turn the car on, but don't start it. Leave it there for a couple of seconds, then start it.

From my experience, the fuel pump starts "spinning" as soon as the power is turned on.

I don't think, with our drive by wire systems, that pumping the throttle will work like it did with the older cars.

I would suspect there to be an electrical problem based on your cold vs warm weather comment. Maybe the dealership should check the electrical connections at the fuel pump.

[Jacko3]

Sentient:

You are right, we use this drive by wire system. I almost forgot, as my mind was still living in the throttle and cable world of the past. Oh, how I miss those days when fixing cars were as easy as ABC. Now, we have to fix computers instead of cars. Moderm day mechanics must feel beseiged and challenged by all the computer controls in modern day cars.

[telcoman]

Sentient:

You are right, we use this drive by wire system. I almost forgot, as my mind was still living in the throttle and cable world of the past. Oh, how I miss those days when fixing cars were as easy as ABC. Now, we have to fix computers instead of cars. Moderm day mechanics must feel beseiged and challenged by all the computer controls in modern day cars.

Does anyone remember carburetor's?

[Jacko3]

Telcoman:

I remember that quite well. Do you remember how skillful one had to be in rebuilding a carburetor---making sure the flanges and o-rings were sitting right in every single cave in the carburetor. My, my, my, what a time!

Do you also remember how large ignition coils used to be---i used to call them large sausages? These days, some of these cars don't have coils or they have electronic coils which are incredibly small compared to the coils of the 60s and 70s. How quickly things have changed.

I was even amazed to learn that G-35 does not have spark plug wires, distributor cap, and rotor? What a world we live in. I feel left behind!

[Sentientbydesign]

Does anyone remember carburetor's?

Is that the California air Governing body?

[Daledude]

I did replace the spark plugs in the middle of this process, but it didn't change anything. I have also tried turning it on without cranking it for a few seconds in the hope that fuel pressure would build up, but it didn't work either. A guy in town who works on Nissans suggested the fuel damper first, regulator in the tank second, fuel filter, then fuel pump. I guess I will start down that path.

I don't see a section in my repair manual about how to replace the fuel damper. Does anyone have a link or advice for that?

Thanks again.