VP V6 Hard To Start - Help

[oldfart]

Anyone had this trouble - VP V6 Auto. Starts fine dead cold like in the morning. Rest of time when warm or even a little warm, will crank and won't fire unless you give the accelerator a pump as you are cranking. Then starts with black smoke and smell of petrol. Seems to me that the "choke" is on when not needed. Thought I would change the temp sensor as maybe computer thinks car is cold and riches up the mix, but any one else had similar problems or any ideas?
Car runs fine when going.
Thanks

[DUMPD_VP_CALAIS]

i got a vp calais v6 auto series 1, and i got the exact same problem. Dont bother changing the fuel pump as that does nothing (it was an expensive suggestion by my auto elec). If you bring your car to the mechanic they will probably notice low fuel pressure - thats why they changed the pump. If you wanna give something a try, it might work - change the fuel regulator, because they discovered the fuel pressure decreases rapdily after switching off the car, and when in motion the pressure is higher than normal. The car, even after parking it for 10 min or so, needs a couple of seconds of kicking before she starts, and when it does, theres black smoke out the back. If someone recognises these symptoms...LET US KNOW!
Cheers

[oldfart]

I have noticed when I turn it off that you can hear petrol squirting / swirling back into the tank - wonder if that has anything to do with it. Also got engine light on today so will see what Codes are stored.

[oldfart]

Engine codes are O2 sensor and lean fuel mix codes. Replaced O2 sensor, will replace temp sensors tomorrow. Next will be fuel pressure reg & then last injectors.

[DUMPD_VP_CALAIS]

how do you remove the kick panel? (to get to the computer)
yeh, i get that light coming on sometimes...might have to check codes. Also, i got my injectors serviced and new fuel tank late last year and the hard starting still continued...dont bother with the injectors.
An interesting thing though...next time you go to start your car, hit the bottom of your fuel tank a couple of times with your fist or something. Notice the car starts straight away...does that mean the pump's screwed. Im certain its the fuel regulator at the end of the injector rail thats the culprit, but i dont wanna do anything till im 100% sure.

[oldfart]

I just put my hand down on top of the kick panel, felt the wires and pulled out the loose one that had the plug on it. Put a paper clip in to connect the black ( earth) and black/white wire holes. Turn key on and watch the check eng light flash for the codes. Each code flashes 3 x then moves onto the next one. My codes tell me faults are with mixture and O2 sensor. Mixture faults are many though.

[oldfart]

Fixed - Problem was crook fuel pressure regulator. Gave lean mix error code 44 and hard to start when warm / hot. All AOK now.

[Doctor Bob]

just a thought but you probably couldve got to the source of the problem a lot quicker if you had a diagnostic check done in the first place instead of changing things left, right and centre, any technician worth his salt wouldve picked up pretty quick on the problem.

Just a thought

Rob

[DUMPD_VP_CALAIS]

since i got the exact same problem, ill change the fuel pressure regulator too. Thanks oldfart

[Garth]

i remember during my time as a apprentice, some times people would come into us because a mechnic couldnt find why it was hard starting with the black smoke and all, we would charge people $250, call it a comunications error and send them on their way, all we ever did was re-set the ecu, pull the battery out of the equasion, walk away, and count to 100, (dont ask why 100, just a good number, any thing more than 10 sec's will do) and put it back on, if it keeps doin it, yeah, then look into things like est, or even injector pulse, if yoru injector is failing, ti will send out a 02 sensor fault, just a thought

cheers
garth

[DUMPD_VP_CALAIS]

My apprentice mechanic mate took my car into his work and they found that the fuel pressure decreased rapidly after switching off the car, it had low pressure at start up and higher than normal pressure while driving - and of course the hard starting as oldfart had experienced. Is this good enough reason to suspect the fuel pressure regultor? I had the fuel pump changed , and an injector service last year. What u reckon Garth? or anyone else...

[oldfart]

Sounds suss to me, mine cost $10 from a wrecker and 20min to install so do yourself a favour and try one from the wreckers.
When I pulled mine out I knew it was the problem as fuel dribbled out the vacumn hose connector - a definite sign the pressure reg is RS.

[DUMPD_VP_CALAIS]

how do u reset the ECU?

[DUMPD_VP_CALAIS]

i changed the fuel pressure regulator, but it still doesnt start right. I managed to get the kick panel off, but the computer is behind a metal plate. Looks pop-riveted, am i looking in the wrong place? how do i remove the plate?
Anyone else got any ideas why my car hard starts?? I can smell fuel sometimes after driving it...- i know the car is losing pressure - the fuel system was found to have low pressure, couple months back. it has a new fuel pump, and regulator now as well....

[oldfart]

To reset computer, just disconnect battery for a while. Connect back up and drive car normally. There is a proper reset procedure about idling car for 5 mins in park, then in drive, then with air cond on etc etc and have heard of turning key on, but not starting and flooring accelerator will reset something?? I just start it and drive normally and seems OK for me!!!
Have you done a test to get error codes?
Check usual other things, fuel leaks, fuel vent lines / charcoal canister blocked.
New plugs and leads?

[jarrod1993]

hey dunno if use can help but i got basically the oppisite problem, i have a vp calais v6 and it wont start when its cold, i have too keep flicking the key off n on till the engine light comes on and then you here the fuel pump come on i have no idea where to start, cheers