My car takes long to start

[verve247]

When i haven't been driving my car for more than 5 hours, it takes a while to start. Like several (4?) extra seconds. I don't hear any weird noises when this happens. This has been going on for awhile and i asked the mechanic to check my battery. He said everything seemed okay. The car is 2.5 years old. Thoughts, assumptions?

[BigJon]

Just started doing this?

[johnnymk]

Carburetor or Fuel Injected?

[TERRIBLETOM]

Could be a sensor. How many miles on the vehicle? When's the last time you had an engine tune-up...

[mechmike0034]

Year, make, model, engine size?

Please clarify - If more than five hours have elapsed since the engine was last run, you mean that you have to crank it over with the starter for an extra interval before the engine actually starts and runs?

Just making sure I understand...

[verve247]

2002 nissan sentra se-r. It had a 30k tune-up in Sept. and is now at 35k-37k. It's been like this since i've moved up to SF. I don't know if it's the weather (i park outside). What i usually do is hold the key when i crank for it to start. Sometimes it takes longer than what im used to.

[TERRIBLETOM]

2002 nissan sentra se-r. It had a 30k tune-up in Sept. and is now at 35k-37k. It's been like this since i've moved up to SF. I don't know if it's the weather (i park outside). What i usually do is hold the key when i crank for it to start. Sometimes it takes longer than what im used to.
Has it been doing this on the same tank of gas you purchased, or has it been occurring over the past few fill ups?

[verve247]

It's been going on for several months actually. I've been lazy in taking care of it.

[InfiniteNothing]

It might be a cold weather issue. Lots of newer leaner cars crank a little long in the cold for emissions or something. It may be dumping fuel on the cat or something. When turning on your car try to wait a second turning the key between the car's on position and the cranking position

[mechmike0034]

Since you're in SF, are you parking on a hill? Is the car off-level?

Fuel-injected systems have a check valve in the fuel line that is designed to hold the system just below regulated pressure when the electric fuel pump is not running. This speeds starting for two reasons. First, the pump doesn't need to run but for just a brief second to bring the fuel pressure up before the engine starts. Second, the heat of the engine is less likely to boil the fuel in the lines around the engine if it is under pressure.

If I were diagnosing the car, I'd connect a fuel pressure gauge, measure the running pressure, and then observe the gauge at five-to-ten minute intervals after the engine was brought to operating temperature and turned off. If the pressure holds then no problem. If it bleeds down rapidly then find out why.

The bleed-down can generally be isolated by gently pinching off the flexible sections of fuel line back at the tank and repeating the pressure test. If the pressure still drops when the feed line is pinched off, suspect a weak fuel pressure regulator. If it drops off with the return line pinched off, suspect a weak check valve in the tank or on the fuel pump assembly itself.

There may also be other variables - I am not familiar with that specific fuel system.

More info here: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-injection.htm
and: http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h20.pdf

If you are uncomfortable with the local dealer, give Mike Cronin at Golden Gate Garage a call.

[verve247]

No, i don't park on a hill. Can this problem have long-term effects on my car or cause further complications? Do you think I should take immediate action?


Since you're in SF, are you parking on a hill? Is the car off-level?

[mechmike0034]

It won't fix itself. If my theory is correct then a little leak within the fuel delivery system could turn into a bigger leak and potentially a performance or no-start problem.

I'd look at it, or have it looked at, if it were mine. At least have a Nissan dealer do a search to see if there's a Technical Service Bulletin on a similar-sounding symptom.

I have an aftermarket TSB database that I will check on Monday at work. I'll let you know if I find anything.

[verve247]

Right now i'm just being very observant when i turn my car on. For all I know, it's something i'm doing. Thanks for going out of your wayto help Mike. This isn't the first time. If you ever need some help or assistance invloving the Bay Area, don't hesitate to ask.