97 Forester starting problem.

[geoff]

Hi,

 

I recently purchased a second hand Forester and absolutely love it, until now.

 

It has an intermitent starting problem. Some times it will start prefectly and it runs well, then it will not start at all.

 

It will start first time everytime for a few days and then just not start for s few days. Then a few days later start again.

 

I have at it at the mechanics 3 times now.

 

It is definately not the battery, connection or leads, There is plenty of power getting to the electrics.

 

The mechanics have changed the coil pack, plugs and spark plug leads, but the problem is still occuring.

 

The engine turns over fine and if you put your foot full on the accellerator, it's starts for a split second.

 

 

Could this be the fuel pump?  I have noticed when I pull up and get out that I can smell petrol from the rear of the car?

 

Any help would be truely appreciated.

 

Thanks

Geoff

[lstevens76]

It could be the fuel pump but have you put a scanner on it?  Just because there isn't a check engine light (or maybe there is?) doesn't mean there isn't a stored code from when it occurs.

 

Start with a scanner that can pull current and stored codes.  Check for any pending codes as well.

 

Come back and let us know.  

[geoff]

It's not the fuel pump, I have discovered that if I take the fuel hose off the fuel filter then the car will start. I quickly put hose back on and it will continue to run. Try and start with hose connected and it won't start. So must be getting to much petrol?

[lstevens76]

Could be the fuel pressure regulator.  But have you checked for codes yet?  Have you replaced the fuel filter?

[1 Lucky Texan]

if it is flooding, hold the pedal to the floor when cranking and the ECU will cut fuel. It's the 'clear flood' mode.

 

the smell from the rear could be a rusted-thru filler tube.