Help: 2000 Legacy starting problems

[gdionelli]

Hi, all,

 

Last summer I periodically had problems starting my 2000 Legacy, esp when it had been sitting for a while, esp when it was really hot. I don't go to my local dealer for service -- they always tell me whatever's wrong is my fault. So I go to a shop that takes me seriously. But every time I took it in for this problem it started perfectly, and so they weren't able to find a problem. One time there was a brief drop in fuel pressure when they had it hooked up to their diagnostic equipment, so they suspected a fuel pump problem and suggested I prime the fuel pump before each start.

 

I did that faithfully for a while, but had absolutely no problem starting for a long time -- in fact, all winter -- so I stopped. Hot weather returns -- voila, starting problems (I should say, the engine turns over, but it takes 2-10 tries to get it to actually start.) So I took it in to the shop -- started perfectly every time. Got the car home and tried to start it -- same problem. But something different happened. After I got it started this time, there was a "roaring" noise that started when I turned the key and continued the whole time the car was running. The noise came from the direction of the gas tank.

 

So I took it back to the shop -- they heard the noise, and furthermore finally had trouble starting the car. They replaced the fuel pump, at a cost of $600 and tested it for quite a while -- worked perfectly. I came to pick it up -- it took me two starts, but I was hoping that was just an air bubble or something. (I noticed the car smelled like gas, but was hoping that was because they'd just worked on it.) No roaring noise on the way home -- until about the third start after that. I'm now up to about 6 turns of the key before it actually starts, and then the roaring noise and gas smell are really bad.

 

Any ideas would be appreciated!

[brus brother]

I don't have an answer for you but there are some great diagnosticians on this site. Hang tight.

As far as the shop is concerned, yikes $600 sounds like they "took" you seriously

 

So I go to a shop that takes me seriously.

[nipper]

hrmmmmm next time it does this do you have a freind/wife/faimily member handy? We need to determine if its spark or fuel. Hot weather hard starting is usually a fuel issue. Hot engine starting is usually a electrical issue (vapor lock long gone these days but it happens). If you can pull a spark plug wirs and see if there is a spark (i think its a fuel issue).

 

I'm guessing your loosing fuel pressure. Next time it happens, put the car in the on position, count to ten then start it. This will give the fuel system time to pressureize. i bet you have a sticking fuel pressure regulator. The regulator is allowing the fuel system to drain when its hot. reason why when its hot? could be worn rubber parts inside.

Best way to tell is to have the shop hook up a fuel pressure gauge so you can see it and send you home with it. But i think thats the cause.

 

nipper