The Crank Problem Returns

[Graberhieny]

I am having issues with my car crank up at times. Sometimes the car will turn on perfectly. Sometimes it will take anywhere to 2-4 cranks. SOMETIMES it will take 5+ cranks before I can get it turned on. I do not have any check engine lights. There is one issues may have to relate to it, but not sure. It is that when I drive with the engine cold and have the windshield defrosted on I will get a gasoline smell in the cabin of the car. Does anyone have any suggestions on where I should start? The car overall is in great running condition, but the starting is the only problem. Plus it is really embarrassing when my car does not crank up on the first try when I am at college.

Thanks,Keyur Patel

[robo_geek]

My guess would be that you either have a fuel supply problem or one or more leaky fuel injectors.

The fuel smell says leaky injectors....remove and inspect the spark plugs, the one(s) that are black and sooty are the cylidners with the bad injectors.

It's possible that the fuel pressure is too high (sticky pressure regulator). Too much fuel pressure can cause injectors to leak.

when it has trouble starting, does it blow black smoke out the tailpipe? (sure sign of running too rich).

Other things that could cause this would be a faulty throttle position sensor, coolant temp sensor, or even low coolant level (fooling the temp sensor).

No offense, but when starting, you do not put you foot on the gas pedal, do you? You should never put foot on pedal on any fuel injected car.

If the injectors are, in fact leaking, then stepping on the gas pedal would help, beacuse the engine needs the extra air that would provide.

[Graberhieny]

I opened up my car today and pulled out all my spark plugs and they are normal. There is nothing there but normal wear and tear on them. When I crank the car there is no black smoke that comes out the tail pipe. Now I am going to wait for another nice day with free time and will change out the fuel regulator.

Thanks for the help robo_geek

[maximaon20]

do you hear a whinning nose after the start or while your starting it? if you do its prob. the starter. d gas smell might be just a leak in the lines going to the fuel filter.

[NutriaforBreakfast]

I wonder if the rubber o rings for the fuel injectors are not sealing and lettingin air

I would try to change the fuel filter and check the lines too. Just changingthe fuel filter solved the gasoline smell on my 98 maxima.

[240RB1]

the three sensors that play a big role at startup that might be going bad MIGHT BE are the crank angle sensor, mass airflow sensor or the throttle postion sensor. i think it could be the maf sensor jus take it out and clean it with maf cleaner thats what i would do. goodluck

[Blazingwolf]

hey i happen to work at a nissan dealership and walk through the tech area a lot and i hear this problem. its usually the crank sensor. go get it checked out they will probably tell you the same thing.. its not very expensive to get fixed either