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Tiny
HOTROD65
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 DODGE DYNASTY
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 209,000 MILES
Hi, I have a 1991 Dodge Dynasty with a 3.3 liter V6. The car starts great when its cold and runs smooth, but after making a stop and it sits for a bit, when I go to start it, it cranks for an extended time before it starts. After it starts it runs smooth. Why after it warms up and I shut it off and go back to start it does it start hard? Thanks, Rod Harvey
Monday, December 6th, 2010 AT 8:39 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
Typical of a leaking injector. Try this the next time you know it's going to have a long crank time. Turn the ignition switch to "run", wait two seconds for the fuel pump to stop running, turn the switch off, wait five seconds, turn it on again, wait a second, then crank the engine. If that helps, suspect fuel pressure is leaking down through an injector.

My rusty trusty '88 Grand Caravan has been doing that for many years. Now I just pause between "run" and "crank" for a couple of seconds before cranking the engine. Works every time.

Caradiodoc
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Monday, December 6th, 2010 AT 9:02 PM
Tiny
HOTROD65
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Thank you for the prompt reply. I will try your advice. If it does have a leaking injector is there a simple way to find out which one it is? Its just a work car and cant affoard to put all new injectors in it. You know them fellers arn't cheap.
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Monday, December 6th, 2010 AT 9:16 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
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That would require pulling off the fuel rail with the injectors still attached so you can watch for signs of wetness on the tips. That's a lot of work, plus, there are two other possible causes of loss of pressure. There's a check valve in the pump, and there's the pressure regulator on the fuel rail. Unlike GM, Chrysler has almost no trouble with their regulators, but you can try pinching off the smaller return hose by the right strut tower, then remove the clamp when you are ready to start the engine again. If that helps, instead of the regulator, look at the little rubber o-ring on the nipple after you pull it out. I had one that was slit on a brand new car, and I found one on a high-mileage customer's car. Both caused total loss of pressure within seconds of stopping the engine, a real long crank time of up to ten seconds, and the engine ran fine once it started.

As an alternative, you have a convenient test port on the fuel rail where you can connect a gauge. Many auto parts stores borrow those kinds of tools for free or rent them cheap.

I was fighting an intermittent stalling problem with my van for 11 months, and for the last month I had a pressure gauge slipped under the right wiper arm so I could see what was going on. I was surprised to see that there were times the pressure dropped to less than 15 psi and the engine still started right up instantly, (usually does that just fine when it's cold), and I had long crank times sometimes when the pressure was still up. Just the opposite of what you would expect. It would appear fuel leaking into the intake manifold causes a flooded condition when warm that results in the long crank time, and that fuel condenses when the engine cools. Raw fuel will not burn, but the air flow during starting causes it to vaporize which promotes rapid starting.

If your engine starts in a shorter period of time, say less than five seconds, I would suspect the regulator is not the problem.

By the way, I have a Dynasty too. Mine gots 4,100 miles on it!

Caradiodoc
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Monday, December 6th, 2010 AT 10:22 PM
Tiny
HOTROD65
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  • 7 POSTS
Thank you so much for the help. I appreciate it. I forgot to mention that the car had been sitting awhile and I just started driving it again last friday. It sat for about 2 years. I put new gas, changed all filters, and gave it a major tune up, and it started right up. So between your suggestion and putting me putting some road miles on it, it will straighten up. I bought it new in 91 and put most of the miles on it until my daughter needed to use it. I changes oil every 2500 miles and it still runs great, uses no oil and looks good. Just couldn't part with it or see it sitting, so started driving it again. Again I appreciate your help, Rod Harvey Salem IL
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Monday, December 6th, 2010 AT 11:38 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
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I'm in the middle of Wisconsin. Bought another Dynasty in IL a few years ago. Forgot the town but it was on the east end straight across from Indianapolis, couple hours south of Chicago.

Caradiodoc
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Monday, December 6th, 2010 AT 11:59 PM

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