gc8guy Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 (edited) My original thread is right below, but I will also give a summary of the problem/fixed items.http://www.westernsubaruclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=35882.0This is a 1998 JDM STi type R with approx 96k and EJ20K engineProblem:First time I try to start the car it will take approximately 20 cranks to start, but it will always start and never flood.**********************************************************************************************************-IfI leave the key on the "on" position for approx 15-20 seconds the carwill start perfect. If I start the car, shut it off, then instantly tryto restart it again it will start normal. If I start the car, shut itoff, wait 5-10 seconds then it will take me 10-20 cranks to start thecar. So the longer I wait between starts the more cranks it will take tostart the car.-During this cranking process, after about 10 cranksthe car goes into the following cycle: almost start, crank, and repeatsuntil the car starts. If you ever got the timing belt slightly off thisis what my car sounds like.-After I start the car it will surge forabout 1 minute which I suspect to be a failing o2 sensor or possiblyAICV (when I first got the car from Japan there was an o2 code storedwhich never popped up after en ECU reset)-Not sure if this isimportant, but there is an abnormal gurgling sound coming from theFPR/Fuel rail turbo side when I prime the fuel pump.-During regular driving and at WOT the car runs and boost perfect without any hesitation or hiccups.********************************************************************************************************Items I've changed:2 cam sensors from a normally working car1 crank sensor from a normally working carNew 255 fuel pump with an assembly, I can hear the pump priming when the car is on the "on" positionNew fuel pressure regulatorNew fuel filterrebuilt starterworking main relayYes battery is fine(car cranks fast), there is fuel in the car, and no fuses/relays are blown.Swapped ECU from a working carNew distributorNew ignitorNew fuel injectors (all 4 with all new seals)Idid a fuel pressure test you can see in my first thread(link at thetop) and there is a spike followed by a drop which is normalThis car doesn't have a fuel check valve, instead there is a fuel return line.Theonly thing I haven't changed is the wires and the spark plugs which Idon't suspect are the issues because the car runs perfect at WOT. Ihaven't checked the timing, but I'm assuming the car would show symptomswhile driving which it doesn't.I will change plugs and try a different set of working wires, but other then that I'm out of ideas. I really need help Edited December 30, 2013 by gc8guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Is it possible that the fuel lines could be mixed up at the regulator and bypass connections? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gc8guy Posted December 30, 2013 Author Share Posted December 30, 2013 Is it possible that the fuel lines could be mixed up at the regulator and bypass connections? I took a look at a similar EJ20 setup and all seems the same. I would also imagine my car would run like spoob while driving and WOT, however it runs perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Coolant temp sensor?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gc8guy Posted December 30, 2013 Author Share Posted December 30, 2013 Coolant temp sensor?? I don't understand how would that affect starts and also my fans don't come on when cold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rverdoold Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 I don't understand how would that affect starts and also my fans don't come on when cold. The cold start fuel mixture is also based on water temperature. This is a second sensor which is not the one for the dial. You can measure it via OBD2 probably. I have a similar problem with an 1.6 from 1999. It starts fine after 3 to 5 cranks but if freezing it nearly always stalls. If I restart immediately it runs fine and stays on, if I wait it floods. This is only with a cold engine, when warm there is no problem at all. I live with it since I know what to do with it, and it starts from just a few cranks, in contrast with yours. Also if I open the throttle it prevents from stalling. I was thinking at the IAC valve but not sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted January 1, 2014 Share Posted January 1, 2014 I don't understand how would that affect starts and also my fans don't come on when cold. Coolant temp sensor is the highest priority sensor for determining fuel mixture when starting. This is the only sensor the ECU can really use for any feedback at all when the engine is cold. The ECU uses ECT readings to set warm-up idle speed, and enrich the fuel mixture to compensate for the colder (denser) air. The engine isn't running, so MAF readings are useless. O2 sensors have to be hot before they start to read. If you have a MAP sensor the ECU may use barometric pressure reading to adjust for altitude, but this is a small adjustment compared to what it does with ECT readings. Most of the time a bad ECT sensor will read -40° on a scanner and will not set a code. If the ECU thinks the engine is 40 below, the fans aren't gonna come on. The way to check it is to let the car sit overnight and use a scanner to compare ECT temp to outside air temp before starting. Should be within about 10 degrees of each other. Once the engine is started the ECT should start to climb slowly. If temp stays the same for a long period, then suddenly jumps up 20-30 degrees or more, you could have a bad sensor, or poor wire connection at the sensor. If you don't have access to a scanner, you can check the sensor resistance with an ohmmeter when cold, and watch for the resistance reading to drop as the engine warms up. Search google and you can find temperature vs resistance charts for a standard ETC sensor. You can also watch sensor voltage with a voltmeter, but its harder to find correct voltage specs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naru Posted January 1, 2014 Share Posted January 1, 2014 Sounds more like it does not hold fuel pressure. See if it holds pressure after shutdown w/a gauge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gc8guy Posted January 4, 2014 Author Share Posted January 4, 2014 Hey guys, here is another update: Here is a comparison to my other subaru with a EJ20KPlease notethis car has an aftermarket FPR (this car runs and starts perfect) andthe car that is having start issues has a factory FPRAlso note both cards have the gauge hooked in AFTER the fuel filterThedifference: Car with aftermarket FPR spikes higher (3.5PSI) than thecar with the starting problem (2.8-2.9 PSI), but they both hold pressureat around 2 psi after the spike:Also, the biggest difference iswhen I shut off the car with the aftermarket FPR, the pressure dropsall the way, however the car with the starting problem holds it at 2 psieven after shutoff Car with the aftermarket FPR: Car with starting problem: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 The system doesn't have to hold pressure to start properly the next time. The pump should prime the system immediately when the key is turned. If pressure builds too slowly when cranking the fuel pump is bad. Put a scanner on it and see what the coolant temp sensor says. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 Have you tried spraying some starter fluid into the intake when this problem happens to see if the engine starts up quickly then? I am wondering if the voltage getting to the ignition system is low and if so the spark may be weak making the engine harder to start when it is cold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gc8guy Posted January 5, 2014 Author Share Posted January 5, 2014 The system doesn't have to hold pressure to start properly the next time. The pump should prime the system immediately when the key is turned. If pressure builds too slowly when cranking the fuel pump is bad. Put a scanner on it and see what the coolant temp sensor says. I'm not sure if I can hook up a scanner it's a JDM 1998 STi- I will look into this. The pump is brand new and I tried 2 other working pumps before that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gc8guy Posted January 5, 2014 Author Share Posted January 5, 2014 The system doesn't have to hold pressure to start properly the next time. The pump should prime the system immediately when the key is turned. If pressure builds too slowly when cranking the fuel pump is bad. Put a scanner on it and see what the coolant temp sensor says. Have you tried spraying some starter fluid into the intake when this problem happens to see if the engine starts up quickly then? I am wondering if the voltage getting to the ignition system is low and if so the spark may be weak making the engine harder to start when it is cold. Someone mentioned this to me I will do this when it warms up a little more in Canadaland. Problem is If I wait 10 seconds or more between starts, the problem will come back again so the engine will be cranking 10 + times If I re-start it INSTANTLY (less than 5 seconds) then it will re-start perfectly so warm or cold it doesn't matter the problem is there in both conditions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 I suggest you verify that you are getting full voltage input to the ignition system while the trouble is happening. You also stated you hear a gurgling sound in the fuel line which suggests air is getting into the fuel system somehow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gc8guy Posted January 9, 2014 Author Share Posted January 9, 2014 Foud my problem guys starts good now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNY_Dave Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Could it be the fuel pump isn't running briefly to prime the system when the key is turned on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmdew Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Hope you put NGK copper core plugs in. I've seen may Subaru's with other plugs and they just had issues. Cheap and easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gc8guy Posted January 9, 2014 Author Share Posted January 9, 2014 Hope you put NGK copper core plugs in. I've seen may Subaru's with other plugs and they just had issues. Cheap and easy. yes BKR7E/BKR6E copper and IX at the end(iridiums) is what all the JDM owners here in Canada use Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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