Hi all,
I've posted this before and am still battling the same problem. In brief:
THE CAR: 2001 S40 1.9T (auto with about 250K).
THE PROBLEM: Hard starting, long cranking time.
OBSERVATIONS:
- The hard starting happens always when the engine is cold (sitting for more than one hour). Car starts best in extreme sub-zero temperatures
- When it cranks for a long time (5 seconds) before catching there's a strong smell of gasoline
- The starter motor cranks hard and steady, there's no sign of weak battery.
- It has not yet failed to start or stalled out while running.
- Once it stumbles up to normal idle and then it idles smoothly. This stumbling lead-up to normal idle has lit the CHECK ENGINE light.
STEPS TAKEN:
- New spark plugs installed (and properly gapped)
- New wireset to plugs installed
- New ingition coil packs installed
- Installation of exhaust gas venting valve as per Technical Service Bulletin (specifically meant to address long cranking time)
I took the car to a small shop here in Toronto originally suggesting the fuel pressure regulator be examined but they dismissed this, citing that the smell of unburned fuel indicates that the regulator was delivering fuel as it should. I later asked if he used an external fuel pressure guage to test it and he said he had but I'm not entirely sure he did. In my mind too much fuel would be just as detrimental as not enough.
Any further ideas? Does all of this point even more strongly toward the regulator? Is there any way I can test it before dropping another $300?
Your suggestions, comments, and questions are welcomed.
Thanks in advance, blurp