ShadowCat38

When I turn the key to on, I can hear the fuel pump pressurizing the lines. Usually, it is on for maybe 3 seconds and stops. I turn the key to start, and the engine turns over just fine, but does not start if the outside temperature is less than 15°F.

Once I let go of the key, I can hear the fuel pump trying to repressurize the line, and it will run for up to 30 seconds (WAY longer than normal) until it either gets the line to a minimum pressure, or just gives up.

This has happened every winter for the past 3 years. The first winter, taking a hair dryer to the fuel filter (an idea on a hunch) seems to be enough to thaw something out, because then the line would pressurize normally and I could start without an issue.

The second winter, I changed out the fuel filter, but I still had the problem. I didn't try out the hair dryer after that, however.

This year, I'm fed up with it. I changed my fuel filter the second year because I assumed it was full of water or something, and it would freeze the line up when it got cold enough.

The interesting thing is that if I can get it started, then I don't have a problem at all after that. It runs with normal engine power and has no acceleration lag that you'd expect with a mostly clogged fuel line.

I'm at a loss. Any suggestions?

go-part

HowStuffWorks "Why is it so hard to start a car in the winter?"

What is happening sounds normal. Try adding some HEET to your gas tank and see if it will help your problem.

ShadowCat38

Nothing in that link discusses a fuel line not pressurizing. The fuel hasn't even reached the point in the delivery system where it is supposed to vaporize.

Heet does help sometimes, but not always.