99 Sonata Hard Start Problem

Hello again,

My 99 Sonata (2.5 V6) has a problem... It is taking way to long to start it....It cranks normally but it takes a good 5-10 seconds to start. Once it starts, it runs fine (no stumbling, etc...)

I checked the fuel supply at the return on the regulator (took off the return line, and cranked a little, and gas came out of the rail through the regulator... So I guess I'm getting gas.

When I bought the car, the dealer told me they had to replace some things before they sold it to me 3/05 and I think he said he replaced the plugs & wires.

I pulled the front 3 plugs to examine (By the way, I have good spark thru the wires) The plugs look as though they have 50k miles on them (Champion plugs). The plugs were black, and had carbon build-up on the ends of the plugs, also carbon/oil buildup around the threads. The wires looked ok, but not like they had only 6k miles on them (That's how much I put on since buying it in March)

The car acts like it is flooding, why isn't it firing?... If I push the gas pedal all the way down while starting, it seems to help start quicker...

What else can I check out? Air filter is clean...PCV valve may be? Also the oil cap closes, but has up, and down loose movement. Should I change the plugs and wires first?

THANKS

I think you misunderstood the type of problem the regulator has. The only way to test well is to attach a fuel pressure gauge.

If a regulator causes the problem you're having, what typically happens is that the regulator gradually bleeds off the fuel pressure back into the tank while the car is off. Then it takes the fuel pump a while to build the pressure back up.

On most cars, the regulator will hold 20 to 30 psi fuel pressure while the car is off, even overnight.

The fact that fuel came out indicates that your fuel pump is operating (although we still don't know if it can deliver the proper pressure and volume) and that your regulator is bleeding excess back to the tank while the pump is running. But it doesn't indicate the regulator is not bleeding down as the car sits unused.