Hard Start possibly cold and hot???

fightman80

fightman80

New member
I'm having what seems to be an issue with Start up. I've recently changed my plugs to the Bosch Platinum, New NGK wires, 6 refurbed Fuel Injectors, and 1 brand new coil pack. I had changed all the above to get rid of a CEL indicating Cylinder 1 Misfire....ended up being the Fuel Injector.

Now, I know that some folks hate the Bosch Plugs in our 3.4l engines...is it myth or reality??? Did it get disrproved??? What pisses me off is, when I went to the Parts store looking for my OEM Dual Electrode plugs, they didn't have them, and only listed the Bosch Platinum plugs. I wasn't keen on the tiny electrode from the Bosch...but was re-assured by the counter person that they would be more than good enough.

If I change them out....what do you think the odds are that the store will take them back??? HA HA HA!

I've searched and found a few different possibilities...this thread looked interesting over at YT:

96 3.4L hard to start Cold and Hot - YotaTech Forums


Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.....
 
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53 views and nobody has an opinion or any input?? he he he!

Come on guys...I need your advice...what should I check first?
 
If you have the packaging, they will take them back 100%.

I went to the dealer and get plugs for $2.44 each, after shop discount.

I am no expert, not even close, but what exactly is your problem with starting? I have the same problem with starting as the YotaTech thread with it cranking 3 times too long cold. Not the gas issue. Was gonna clean the MAF and TB this weekend and see if that helped.

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What's tough is, to me, it points to Using the Correct plugs. I also read the YT thread and someone mentioned the coolant sensor. All in all You don't want to start spending or throwing parts like a lousy mechanic would(Even though at the end of the day, you have a lot of new parts that would have needed to be replaced at one point in time or another). I again, think using the correct plugs would make your start-to-Diagnosing process easy on the pocketbook.
Of course this isn't a 2 member forum so I am anxiously awaiting others to chime in and help explain this process as well.
 
By the way...just called the dealer for a price on those NGK's.....$3.98 Canadian! Over half the price of what NAPA wanted for the same ones! :)
 
Yeah, I find a lot that the dealer is cheaper. For stuff like that. Got a cheaper air filter there as well. Windshield wipers are good. I don't know, seems weird. Oil filters. Try and get a shop discount!
 
Well, I picked up the NGK's from the Dealer today....installed them while I was at my dad's....and looks like my hard start is gone! Gonna keep driving it for the next few days, and keep you all posted though...but so far so good! :)
 
Ok....so the hard start continues... :(

That being said...I've noticed a few things. First of all, it seems as though it starts better when it's cold, but the starter still has to turn a little longer than normal.

Second, it seems as though it's fine when the truck is hot.

Third, it seems as though it acts up more when the truck has been driven, but parked for an hour or so???

Could this be fuel? Any chance the fuel filter is just dirty from running the Seafoam through my gas tank and NGR Valve??

I'm gonna clean the MAF, Throttle body, and look at the IAC, but thinking that the fuel filter might be my culprit!
 
Check the MAF and TB (easy). The IAC, if you are up to it.

No EGR valve, at least on the American models. I do not know about Canadian models though.

If the fuel filter has never been changed, change it.

As far as concerning the Sea Foam, I do know a friend who used a whole bottle of Redline ST 1 in his tank and it killed his fuel pump since it cleaned his tank too well. I would be curious to know if your hard starts are along the same line as Bajarunner and Gerado, who have hard starts now and then.
 
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So I just got a PM from another guy on the forum, who bought the same injector kit I did. Turns out he's having starting issues too!!!

What could this be??? All 6 of mine were showing good resistance....can they be dumping too much fuel in the combustion chamber, thus causing the hard start??

I really hope not....paid $200.00 for all 6 in an effort to go the extra mile....and now looks like I'm gonna go to the dealer and just buy 1 and put the other old 5 back in!!!
 
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ALRIGHT!!!!

So, I ended up taking the intake plenum off again, and swapped back in the 5 old injectors, leaving only 1 Refurbed injector in the Cylinder 1 spot.

After driving it home, leaving it parked for an hour, and then going back out to restart it..... IT STARTED UP WITH NO PROBLEMS!!!! :)

Looks like the refurbed injectors were spraying too much fuel in the combustion chamber, and flooding the engine, until it would finally fire!

I'm gonna test it thoroughly over the next few days, but looks like this was the fix! Lesson learned....don't buy expensive components off E-bay....you never know what you're gonna get!
 
YAY!! im glad to hear your doing better fightman, change your oil now! the extra fuel mixes in with your oil and is bad for the motor. wish me luck fightman im going to tackle mine next weekend, weather permitting! that place just send me another set of injectors i got them today, they seem to be packaged a whole lot nicer than the last set lol.
 
Yeah, I'm considering contacting him back, and having him send me 5 new ones....and ask him to ensure they are properly flow tested. I may put them back in the truck, or keep them for spares.

Good luck with your job man! :)
 
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