Engine won’t start and it’s a fuel related problem because I can spray starting fluid in the throttle body and it starts.
I have to admit that I have been throwing parts thinking that I could fix it easily but no such luck. I have already replaced the fuel pump with a new strainer and fuel filter. Then I replaced the fuel pressure regulator and it still won't start. I hooked up my scan tool and it gave me a P0446 code and I know that's an evaporative emission code but the engine should still start and run. The only other thing that I have noticed that while I am trying to start it that it has a terrible smell coming from the exhaust. I know that the fuel pump is working because I can hear it when I turn t
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It sounds like you may have an air leak present in your EVAP system. When an air leak is present in the EVAP system, the MAP (Manifold Absolute Pressure) sensor will not be able to determine the air density, and the MAF sensor will not be able to determine the volume of air, entering the engine correctly. This will lead to an over fueling situation or an under fueling situation depending on the size of the air leak and engine operating speeds and load. This may eventually lead to catalytic converter problems as well as misfiring problems. As you may know, if the MAP sensor is not working properly, depending on the severity of the air leak (and the related adjustments the MAP sensor is making to try and compensate for this), this may in fact cause the motor not to start. I would recommend having an expert from Your Mechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.
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If the motor will only start with the use of starting fluid, this suggests you may have a fuel supply problem such as faulty or dirty fuel injectors. If you have replaced the fuel pump and fuel pressure regulator, we can reasonably assume that you are getting the correct amount of fuel pressure through the system.
Difficult Starts
If your vehicle`s fuel pump cannot get gas from the tank to the engine, you will have trouble starting your car. The car will struggle to start and run because the pump cannot push enough gas through. A worn pump loses its pressure and the engine is being starved of gasoline.
Spray it inside towards the throttle body or carburetor. You should not have to use starting fluid. Your ignition or timing sounds off. Never push the fluid through the air filter.
Clogged Fuel Injectors
If the car cranks when you turn the key, but the engine won`t start, it could be because fuel isn`t getting to the engine. One potential reason for this could be dirty fuel injectors. Over time, the fuel injector nozzles can become clogged with rust, corrosion or debris.
Yes, spray it into the air plenum / filter etc. side note some Diesel engines are not compatible with starting fluid and damage will occur. On modern fuel injected engines using starting fluid should not be required.
Starting fluid is sprayed into the engine intake near the air filter, or into the carburetor bore or a spark plug hole of an engine to get added fuel to the combustion cylinder quickly.
What is starting fluid? It`s a volatile chemical, typically ether, that`s normally packaged in a pressurized spray can. It`s designed to be sprayed in small amounts into the engine`s air intake to help it start.
The proper method to start any EFI engine in a car or a truck is to turn the ignition key to run and no farther. Wait for the fuel rail to prime, and when you hear the fuel pump relay shut off, continue into the crank mode. The proper sequence is run, wait, turn to crank.
Using too much can damage your engine. Since starting fluid is highly explosive, the force from igniting too much of it in your engine can cause serious damage, such as cracked piston heads and bent piston rods.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Engine won’t start and it’s a fuel related problem because I can spray starting fluid in the throttle body and it starts.
ANSWER : It sounds like you may have an air leak present in your EVAP system. When an air leak is present in the EVAP system, the MAP (Manifold Absolute Pressure) sensor will not be able to determine the air density, and the MAF sensor will not be able to determine the volume of air, entering the engine correctly. This will lead to an over fueling situation or an under fueling situation depending on the size of the air leak and engine operating speeds and load. This may eventually lead to catalytic converter problems as well as misfiring problems. As you may know, if the MAP sensor is not working properly, depending on the severity of the air leak (and the related adjustments the MAP sensor is making to try and compensate for this), this may in fact cause the motor not to start. I would recommend having an expert from Your Mechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.
I have a truck that won’t run and is not getting gas to the engine. Fuel pump is running, have a new filter and new fuel pressure
ANSWER : Hi There,
It sounds like you may have a clogged fuel injector or potentially a faulty injector that is fried internally. I would suggest testing them if you have access to a multi meter. Disconnect the injector from the electrical connector and set your multi meter to Ohms mode and measure the resistance of the injector. After testing all injectors, compare the resistance. They should be the same or very close. If they are not, they will likely need to be replaced.
It sounds like you may have a clogged fuel injector or potentially a faulty injector that is fried internally. I would suggest testing them if you have access to a multi meter. Disconnect the injector from the electrical connector and set your multi meter to Ohms mode and measure the resistance of the injector. After testing all injectors, compare the resistance. They should be the same or very close. If they are not, they will likely need to be replaced.
Engine does not start after fueling
ANSWER : Hi There,
It sounds like your car’s evaporative emissions system may have some problems. The EVAP system prevents fuel vapors from the fuel tank from escaping into the atmosphere as you are fueling your car and while the fuel just sits in the tank. The EVAP system collects and temporarily stores the fuel vapors in the charcoal canister. The charcoal canister is filled with activated carbon pellets that can absorb the fuel vapors. When the engine is running, the fuel vapors are purged from the canister and burned in the engine. The vent control valve (solenoid) controls the flow of outside air in and out of the charcoal canister. When this is not working properly, you may experience the gas pump shutting off prematurely causing it to take a very long time to fill up your fuel tank. This is due to the excess fuel vapor that is present when the purge solenoid is not working properly by releasing these vapors. The gas pumps at the fuel station have automatic sensors on them (for safety reasons) that shut off automatically when too much fuel vapor is present. I would recommend having an expert from Your Mechanic come to your home to take a look at your car to diagnose your EVAP purge solenoid.
It sounds like your car’s evaporative emissions system may have some problems. The EVAP system prevents fuel vapors from the fuel tank from escaping into the atmosphere as you are fueling your car and while the fuel just sits in the tank. The EVAP system collects and temporarily stores the fuel vapors in the charcoal canister. The charcoal canister is filled with activated carbon pellets that can absorb the fuel vapors. When the engine is running, the fuel vapors are purged from the canister and burned in the engine. The vent control valve (solenoid) controls the flow of outside air in and out of the charcoal canister. When this is not working properly, you may experience the gas pump shutting off prematurely causing it to take a very long time to fill up your fuel tank. This is due to the excess fuel vapor that is present when the purge solenoid is not working properly by releasing these vapors. The gas pumps at the fuel station have automatic sensors on them (for safety reasons) that shut off automatically when too much fuel vapor is present. I would recommend having an expert from Your Mechanic come to your home to take a look at your car to diagnose your EVAP purge solenoid.
Spraying throttle body cleaner into throttle body while engine is running
ANSWER : The engine running rough for a moment after using throttle body cleaner is a normal symptom. This should only last for a short period of time and then go away. If the issue does not go away after a few start ups or a short drive, it is possible that the throttle position sensor or mass air flow sensor could have been damaged as a result of using the throttle body cleaner. Many throttle body cleaners will specify if they are sensor safe. IF the throttle body cleaner is not sensor safe, one of the sensors may be fouled out. I would recommend having a drivability inspection performed on your vehicle to determine the exact cause if this issue persists. Consider YourMechanic, as a certified technician can come to your home or office to determine the cause of this issue.
Car won’t start after sitting for 14 months
ANSWER : Hi there. Check the fuel pump to see if it is energizing, and check the fuel pump relay to see if it is clicking when you turn on the key. If the relay is not clicking, then remove the relay and check to see if there is any power with using a test light. If there is power, then swap the relay out with the horn relay and see if the relay clicks.
If the relay clicks, then the relay went out and needs to be replaced. If the relay still does not click, then check the ground circuit for continuity, which is the feed circuit to the fuel pump. If there is no continuity, then the fuel pump needs to be replaced.
If you need further assistance troubleshooting your vehicle, then seek out a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, who can come to your location to determine why the car is not starting and suggest the necessary repairs.
My Blazer will crank over but not start by itself. It needs starting fluid to start.
ANSWER : Hi there. If you have not replaced your EGR valve, mass air flow sensor or the TPS on your Blazer, you might want to start with these repairs. It is also possible that the throttle body itself is damaged, especially if you’re able to start it on fluid. If you want to avoid chasing parts and repairs, the best solution may be to have a professional mobile mechanic come to your location and complete a car is hard to start inspection.
Truck cranks but won’t start. Has good fuel pressure and spark. Engine will crank and run if you pour gas in the throttle body.
ANSWER : Hi there. Check the injectors harness with the key on and the engine off without trying to crank. There should be a voltage on one side of the harness supplying fuel to the injectors. Then crank the engine and back probe the wires to see if there is power on the other terminal on the harness. If there is no power, then the injectors are not compressing down and causing the system to not complete the circuit. If there is a voltage, then the injectors may be plugged up not allowing the fuel to spray out. I recommend replacing the injectors if you are unable to clean them out with injection cleaner. If you need further assistance with you engine not starting, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
New battery & fuel pump. Hours later car starts and shuts down 3X in a row. Finally it starts, 48 hours later, won’t start at all
ANSWER : Checking all the fuses was a good move. I would also want to put a scan tool on it and check for diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) as well as seeing the data that the computer is seeing.
A fuel pressure test would be a good idea to verify correct pressure and so that you’d be able to eliminate that possibility. It should be 58psi on your Magnum.
I also recommend getting your battery tested (I know, it’s new, have it tested anyway) and be sure it’s charged to at least 75%. And yes, loose battery cable connections can result in electrical problems.
If you need some assistance with this, consider enlisting a certified mechanic who can perform the checks I’ve mentioned and diagnose your starting issue firsthand. The mechanic can then perform the necessary repairs once the problem has been isolated. Good luck.
