I really have read all the threads I can find on "gas smell" and "won't start", so I apologize if this has been discussed somewhere else, but

Car runs fine, engine gets warm. Shut engine off, try to restart immediately, and she just cranks and won't fire. Cranking seems too easy and is very fast.

If i wait a few hours, let the engine cool, she fires right back up.
Almost too fast, before a full crank even. The sudden start is followed by a puff of white smoke out the tailpipe, she stumbles when fluttering the gas for a few minutes, but then runs fine after getting up to highway speeds.

And yes, there's a gas smell but its not thru the vents, its from the outside of the car, no visible leaking.

Would anyone know right off what might cause this?

If not, I guess I'll start going down the list, starting with fuel pump/fuel filter?

Almost all of the ignition components are new(er).
Plugs, wires, rotor, cap, thermostat.

Thanks doods.

 

Bad o2 sensor/stuck open injector/s maybe?

 

im postin on my wii which is kinda cool

anyway, it might be vapor lock. look that up and see what u get.

i doubt its a stuck open or close injector. people run their cars with bad injectors all the time (temporarily) and those cars should be able to crank and start. could be the other suggestion that max94 said.

 

You dont get vapor lock on a fuel injected car ( especially with the return to the tank). It could be that your fuel pump is getting ready to fail. It starts when cold and keeps running, but wont start when hot.

 

Thats nice...

As jimbo said,vapor lock is no longer an issue with fuel injected cars,due to the fuel is always being recirculated from the fuel rails back to the tank,thus not having time to get hot enough to vaporize..


A couple stuck open injectors may cause enough fuel to leak into the cylinders to cause a major flooding issue,but yeah,kinda doubtful..

But seriously,my bet is on a bad o2..

 

semi-update:

it only fails to restart when its been cooling for < 2 hours.
anything over two hours and it starts ....

went to the gym the other day for 1.5 hours - no starting
gf took it shopping the same day for 2 hours - started fine

i thought engine temp would have something to do with it

 

Check the ecu for any stored trouble codes..

 

I would bet on it being injectors stuck open, I had a '91 that did the exact same thing. I would pull the plugs out and clean them and it would fire right up. The injectors were either stuck open or dribbling too much gas in and fouling out the plugs. The plugs likely dry out on their own when you leave it sit long enough.

 

coolant temp sensor maybe

 

thats what im thinking or cam sensor

 

How often would I hafta do that?


i like this idea. You have any of these?

Also, you have 3 oxygen sensors listed on your site.
How do I know which one? (Please don't say "all")

 

Our cars use one o2 sensor.

Id change the coolant sensor (search for bleeding the system as well) and check the injectors resistance.

~Alex

 

IIRC,you can also unplug the o2 sensor to test it,the ecu should act in it's place with a preset limp home mode setting..

 

where's it at?


does this look right?
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...pe=290&PTSet=A

 

When it won't start, try pulling the plugs and see if they're wet with fuel. If so you have a leak from the injectors.

 

and if not, it might be the coolant temp sensor?

i keep asking and not doing anything cuz i'm at work till 6 ...

 

Yes that is the correct part#

 

i had this problem also, i thought it was the temp sensor but it turned out to be the cam sensor.

 

yes i have the CTS (coolant temp sensor). http://www.internetautosupply.com/ca...2d3ed1cda3eaed
just get the NTK one.

 

I'm going to pick up the coolant sensor from Advance (cuz i'm a cheap bastard) And if that doesn't fix it, I'll order the o2 sensor.


you're a handy guy. neato diagram

 

yeah do this before spending any money. if it gives you one code, especially concerning something already mentioned, it'll save you time and money.

 

looks like you guys are effing geniuses again

the $20 coolant temp sensor seems to have done the trick

thanks!

 

Do any of you guys know off hand what the part # is for CTS on a 92 SE? I got one for replacement but it looks a little different than the original one.

 

IIRC,they are the same part# on both engines...

 

should look like this

 

OK, that's the one I have so it must be the right one.

 

First of all whats up. I'm new to the forums.

2nd, I know this isn't the 2nd gen area but I did a search and found this. I'm having the same problem as the original poster. My car has trouble turning on when its hot, I have to give it some gas so it could turn on. Also when its cold the engine runs like crap. It backfires when I rev it and it sounds like its coming from the intake by the filter. As soon as it warms up it runs perfect. Any ideas what it might be?

 

same answer, Coolant temp sensor

 

Thanks for the reply. Would a bad coolant temp sensor be the cause for both symptoms?

 

yup .

 

Thanks. I'll change it out today and let you know how it goes.

 

while your in there, do the basic stuff to,

like check the spark plugs, air filter, the oil and check if the fuel has been change. If it the original then it time to change it.

 

I kinda brought this car back to life. It didn't want to start and when it did it ran like crap. I've changed the Air filter, spark plugs, distributor cap and rotor, oil & oil filter, gas filter and other misc. little parts. The car runs really good. It doesn't burn or leak a drop of oil and both the tranny and engine are still running strong. This car was headed to the junkyard and I was supposed to take it there but I ended up buying it for cheap.

 

OK I had to order it because they didn't have it in stock. Is the coolant temperature sensor the one that sends the signal to the temperature gauge? Just wondering because my gauge is working fine.

 

No,the cylinder head temp sensor has that job..

 

AKA Temp SENDER

 

Thanks guys. I hope I ordered the right one. :/

 

Ok I changed it out and still has trouble turning on when hot. I have to give it gas in order to turn on. Also runs crappy when cold, sputters when I give it gas but warms up and runs perfect. I wouldn't really mind just warming it up and giving it gas to turn it on but I'm trying to sell this car and it just doesn't help having these problems.

Offtopic but why can't I start a new thread anywhere? I also tried to pm a moderator to ask but I'm not allowed to do that either.

 

You might have a bad o2 sensor,try unplugging it,then take it for a drive..


Just a heads up:your check engine light should come on after you unplug it.








http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=413179

 

Thanks a lot. I'll try that and see how it runs.

I looked for a thread about newbie rules and didn't see anything.