Cavalier Starting in the 1980s. the Cavalier made a name for itself by offering an affordable 2 and 4 door compact.
Platform: J-body

98 Cavalier cold start problems

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Old Jul 30, 2013 | 6:53 PM
  #1  
certifieddude's Avatar
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Default 98 Cavalier cold start problems

My 1998 Cavalier has a rather frustrating problem, whenever its left to sit for awhile it has a very long crank. If I restart it after a long crank it fires up immediately and will start immediately if left to sit for up to around 15 minutes, any longer then that and the long crank comes back.
I have noted a smell of gas after a long crank start.

Car info:
Year: 98
Engine: 2.2L 4 cyl
Model: 4dr sedan, base trim
Things that have been replaced: Fuel Pump, fuel filter, pcv valve, spark plugs and wires, crankshaft sensor and camshaft sensor.

Other than that it runs nice and there are no other problems, but this long crank is pretty frustrating and probably not good for the start motor.

Last edited by certifieddude; Jul 30, 2013 at 6:57 PM.
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Old Jul 30, 2013 | 7:34 PM
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the injectors may be leaking down into the combustion chambers. If the car starts better in clear flood mode (accelerator held to floor) check for injector leak down.

-install a fuel pressure gauge
-prime the fuel system by cycling the key from off to run
-note the fuel pressure
-watch for pressure drop
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Old Jul 30, 2013 | 8:57 PM
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certifieddude's Avatar
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Originally Posted by tech2
the injectors may be leaking down into the combustion chambers. If the car starts better in clear flood mode (accelerator held to floor) check for injector leak down.

-install a fuel pressure gauge
-prime the fuel system by cycling the key from off to run
-note the fuel pressure
-watch for pressure drop
I tried starting it as you suggested and there was no difference, still a very long crank. I guess that narrows it down, but its just overwhelming how many different things it seems it could be.
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Old Jul 30, 2013 | 9:15 PM
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From: Bowie, MD
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After it has been sitting (when it would hard start) pull the vac line off the fuel pressure regulator to see if there is raw fuel inside the line.
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