[crypticbcd]

Yesterday at 5am, I went out to start my 92 RRC. The motor turned over just fine and the battery seemed very strong. However, it simply would not start. I attempted three different times between 5-530am and nothing. So I drive the p/u to work and come home during my lunch break to try to figure things out. I sit in the seat, turn the ignition and it starts right up like nothing ever happened.

Today, I get in at 5am, try to start it and very same problem as yesterday. It turns over like a champ – but does not start. Again, I tried three times, nothing.

It is chilly here in the morning but not below 55 degrees or anything.

Any ideas???

 

[rodrevolver]

Immediate thoughts -
Moisture in the dizzy ? Need a spark test...
Maybe even a sensor is playing up ??

Need to start somewhere I spose !

Cheers
Rod

 

[crypticbcd]

I agree, I need to do a little testing to provide more details. I just didnt have the time this morning. Will play with the beast when I get home later to see what we have.

 

[punkindad]

Did the rover stay out late drinking the night before?? :lol: I know I don't start well on the morning after!!

 

[crypticbcd]

LOL....nice! Well, it wouldnt start at all when I got home (unlike the previous day). She still turns over like nothing is wrong...but it just wont get'r running. Funny, that sounds just like the x wife......

 

[crypticbcd]

I was just chatting with my wife a few minutes ago. She mentioned that the last time she filled the tank up....it overflowed (from the actual tank and not the tube). I climbed under it and sure enough, there is a clean spot from recent fuel running down the side. I just cannot tell if it originated at the seam of the tank (approximately half a tank level) or at the top (possibly fuel pump?).

Could this have anything to do with it??

 

[crypticbcd]

so this morning, i had my wife jump in the driver's seat and turn the ignition to the point that one should hear a fuel pump kick in. I heard absolutely nothing. Of course it was 5am again so I couldnt climb under it to get a closer look. When we get home this afternoon, I will have her clean out the back so I can pull the carpet up and take a look through the cover there. We may have figured this thing out (fingers crossed) but that is to be seen in a few hours....

 

[crypticbcd]

So....the fuel pump does in fact make a sound.

 

[crypticbcd]

the only fuel related issue that i could see yesterday, with the few remaining moments of daylight, is that the fuel vent line is split in half. this is likely where the fuel came from when my wife said it overflowed and spilled from somewhere the other day.

i guess my question now is, can a broke vent hose cause the engine to not start??

 

[crypticbcd]

this *&% thing is driving me crazy. i called the mechanic, had him come look at the vehicle and dont you know this thing started right up. he is going to check out the issues though so hopefully he can identify the issue. thanks for the help guys!

 

[skucera]

Have you checked to see that you've got spark when the truck isn't starting in the morning? My wife's old Corolla had a similar problem, but it happened on moist mornings, not cold ones. Her problem was a cracked coil, and moisture would stop the magic of induction.

If you've got spark, check for some sly, hidden vacuum leak. It's possible you have a bad temperature sensor, or a bad air flow meter. A quick diagnostic of the air flow meter is to get it running (yeah, it'll be an afternoon test for you), then tap the AFM with a stick or your hand. If the idle is affected in any way by doing this, the AFM is faulty and needs to be replaced. I have a hunch that yours is just fine, but it's an easy test. Sensors are a nuisance to test.

If you've got a fuel pressure tester, you should check your fuel pressure. Modern fuel injected cars can sound like their fuel pumps are running, but if the impellers are worn out they can just be spinning without building up much fuel pressure. Bad fuel pumps generally act up in hot weather, not cold, as their cases expand away from the impellers, so bear that in mind.

Good luck troubleshooting this,
Scott

 

[bandit86]

take the fillercap off and have a listen, should hear the pump if it works

 

[punkindad]

Remember that just because the pump is running doesn't mean it is creating enough pressure. I would check the pressure at the fuel rail to see if it is working well enough.
My pump was running just fine but was only able to create about 10 PSI. After I replaced it the Rover ran great.

 

[crypticbcd]

remove the filler cap and listen? how would i hear anything any different from listening to it from the access cover inside the vehicle? please clarify so i am sure that i understand your advice.