KA24E Starting Problem - Fuel Related

4banger · Jul 12th, 2004, 12:42 AM

I just went camping yesterday, and my truck would not start when it came time to leave. For the past year, it has had trouble starting, not always catching on the first or 2nd try. However, it usuallly starts if a wait about 20 seconds, and try again. Yesterday though, it just would not, even after numerous attempts. With a screwdriver, i confirmed that the ignition system is working properly. After that, I decided to take the air filter off and pour Coleman camping stove fuel down the throttle body, just a little at a time. It started right up but died after all the applied fuel burned. On the 3rd attempt, it started and stayed running, so I could get home.

It seems that during initial start up, it has problems getting fuel. However, once it gets going it works fine, the acceleration is normal. I figure the ECU, and the Fuel Pump are working fine. Past that I don't know what to look for. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Dwntyme · Jul 12th, 2004, 11:33 PM

change the fuel filter. and make sure its installed correctly, dirrection of flow...
you also might have bad fuel injectors(leaking down)

4banger · Jul 14th, 2004, 07:18 PM

Yeah, i'm gonna start replacing/eliminating the cheap stuff first. I ordered the fuel filter, and got a bottle of fuel system cleaner. Hopefully I can stop there. One more thing that I noticed though; It happens most often, after I have just run if for a minute of less, and only at low engine speeds ( like when moving it around in the driveway ). I'm guessing that once I get the truck out on the road and the rpm's are up, that the problem is overcome by the greater pumping force during normal driving. Thanks for the input.

ehart · Jul 17th, 2004, 08:57 AM

my truck is having the same problem, i think that there is a check valve that is suppose to keep the fuel in the line between start ups that as went faulty, and is now allowing fuel to go back to the tank, or bleed down, it should be back near the tank

Dwntyme · Jul 18th, 2004, 06:37 PM

There is no check valve(per FSM) except on the purge canister.

It's possible that you have a bad fuel pressure regulator or leaking injectors.

Dwntyme · Jul 18th, 2004, 06:41 PM

The fuel pump pressure should be 33psi @ idle

4banger · Jul 23rd, 2004, 09:33 PM

Thanks for the pump psi info. I replaced the fuel filter, and checked the fuel pump pressure. The pump is working properly, and even with the new filter I am having this unfortunate problem. I also looked around the fuel injectors and found no fuel leaks. In addition, I poured in a bottle of Chevron Techron before my last fill up. My next idea is to check the fuel injectors. One thing I am curious about though is about the presence of a 5th injector. When I look at the fuel rail, it looks to me as though there is a fifth injector at the end closer to the radiator. I'm wondering if this injector is in anyway responsible for supplying the engine with fuel during start up. As always, any help is greatly appreciated.

Dwntyme · Jul 23rd, 2004, 10:01 PM

There is another connector that is the same color as the connectors for the injectors, It is on the front of the intakemanifold which is a temp sending unit..

4banger · Aug 5th, 2004, 03:25 PM

Well, the dealer was finaly able to norrow the problem down to a bad fuel pump relay. Since its been getting worse, It was easier to detect I guess. Case closed, thanks or all the help.