Car Not Starting - Fuel Issue? Options

[ididntseenothing]

So been having problems with my 94 Celica GT starting up. Sometimes it will start up, but just has a long crank time. Other times it cranks and nothing. I took it in to the shop for a free estimate and they checked it, saying the fuel pressure was low and a new fuel pump would fix the problem. Instead of paying the ridiclous prices, went and installed a new pump at home. Car started back up on the second try and then on the first try the next time. Now it's back to it's original problem of not starting or taking quite a few tries.

Just wondering what else could possibly be causing this?

[SwissFerdi]

Distributor Cap and rotor, have you changed those? Spark plugs, are they in the correct order?

Bring it HERE when she's all fixed up.

This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: May 7, 2010 - 2:18 PM

[ididntseenothing]

Distributor was replaced in October so don't think it's that. Haven't touched the spark plugs since the car was running alright, so I'm assuming they're still in the correct order.

[Kwanza26]

fuel filter?

[ididntseenothing]

fuel filter?

About to to try and go pick one up from the store and attempt to replace that.

Also noticed that there was a lot of noise coming from the intake when I can get the car started. It sounds like a loud hissing of air escaping from the intake manifold. Is there a vacuum line or something thats supposed to be attached? Currently there was just a 3 inch rubber tubing with a plastic connector on the end that leads to nothing.

Here's a picture of what I'm curious about:



This post has been edited by ididntseenothing: May 10, 2010 - 5:26 PM

[ididntseenothing]

Any suggestions?

Autozone didn't have the fuel filter so I have to call around tomorrow to find one. Can a fuel filter be clogged enough that the car won't start up?

Tried searching through old threads with similar problems but can't find any situation that matches what's going on exactly. Puzzled that the car wouldn't start at all, then after a day or two of sitting, be able to start up after a couple tries, and then back to not starting at all.

[cyberblader1130]

That piece your referring to thats circled is supposed to lead to the valve cover. Check your valve cover towards the back of the spark plug wires and you should find a hole to slip that plastic piece into. Do that BEFORE you buy anything that you may not need. On mine that hose attaches to a 1 way valve to allow air from the valve cover to pass into the manifold to help create vacuum. Goodluck

[ididntseenothing]

Thanks. I found where it's supposed to plug into on the back of the valve cover, but it appears the plastic piece broke off from the valve cover where it plugs in.

Does anyone know the name of the piece on the valve cover that I would need to replace?

This post has been edited by ididntseenothing: May 11, 2010 - 9:52 AM

[Tumult5sfe]

That should be your PCV valve. your going to have to pry the grommet out of the valve cover. i had a similar problem with mine a while back, here the thing froze up. autozone sells the whole piece.

[ididntseenothing]

So the fuel filter was replaced, which was a pain due to a seized up bolt. Picked up new PCV valve and also another piece that was broken that vacuum lines went into. Also cleaned the throttle body.

Car is back to starting up, it just has a long crank time and have to pump the gas to get it going.

[pittfirefighter]

your plugs should be replaced too... number one reason for long cranks

[Stambo]

Check the fuel pressure regulator also, sometimes those have internal leaks and leak gas into the vacuum line. Those sometimes cause long cranks

[ididntseenothing]

Well the car is back to not starting, yet again. Going to pull and check out the spark plugs once I get motivated to go out in this heat. Patience is running thin with the car that lack of transportation over the past two weeks caused me to lose my job.

[ididntseenothing]

So went and replaced the spark plug, and ran into a problem on #2. There's quite a bit of oil inside it around the spark plug. Also, having a lot of trouble getting it out. Seems to be a rubber piece or something that's stuck onto it not allowing the socket to go over it.

[Stambo]

the rubber boot on the plug wire prob. stayed on the spark plug. Try to get a needle nose down there and yank that out. The oil is from the valve cover grommets.

[ididntseenothing]

Took care of replacing the spark plugs. Car started up fine for the first two times, no long crank time. Now it's back to doing the same, cranking and not starting up. Sometimes if pumping the gas pedal, it'll kick on. Running out of ideas on this one.