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Curious Slow start when cold

PostPosted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 9:33 am
by Brettsky
Hi Liberty/Subaru owners, I have a curious cold starting issue, If i was to go out and cold start my 2001 Liberty 2.5RX with 256000k on the clock it would take about 5 seconds of turning over before it grumbled to an idle, then when i pull out from the curb there would be a flat spot and then away I go.
The curious part is, if I simply turn the key quickly on off so the engine cranks half or one revolution then turn the key again to normaly start, it starts imediatley. The flat spot is always there.
It is not expected for a service for another 5000ks and I did replace the spark plugs with a middle of the road plug which made no difference, I also over two tanks put injector cleaner in consecutive tanks, again no difference.
Any Ideas please.

Re: Curious Slow start when cold

PostPosted: Thu Jan 15, 2015 10:09 pm
by BillyCorgi
Fuel system pressure
First start, no pressure, no start.
Quick turn off, pump builds pressure, starts first time?

Re: Curious Slow start when cold

PostPosted: Mon Feb 09, 2015 4:30 pm
by jp928
Some cars turn on the fuel pump for a few seconds at turn on, some only fire the pump while cranking. in those that run pump for a few seconds at turn on, this is usually done by the pump relay - if this feature has failed, by actually briefly cranking yours and it starts, you are pointing at the relay as a possible problem. Try turning it on but not cranking somewhere quiet and listen for a pump hum from the back - should only last a few seconds. If none there, try cranking briefly, and listen for the hum as you turn off the starting.
I am NOT sure the Subys run the pump at turn on, but its not uncommon.

jp 08 gtb 6mt wagon

Re: Curious Slow start when cold

PostPosted: Mon Feb 09, 2015 10:28 pm
by HardwareBoB
My car runs the pump at turn on for 2-3 seconds, you can clearly hear it (265L/h pump)

Re: Curious Slow start when cold

PostPosted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 12:26 am
by notmyrealname
HardwareBoB wrote:My car runs the pump at turn on for 2-3 seconds, you can clearly hear it (265L/h pump)


+1. I generally wait the couple of seconds till the buzzing stops (I assume it's the fuel pump) before trying to start the engine.