Hard cold start

2004 MITSUBISHI MONTERO
172,000 MILES • 3.8L • V6 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
DAVISMELODY6669
  • MEMBER
  • 65 POSTS
Hello, my question might be silly. on cold starts the engine turns over for like 5 seconds and turns on normal.. after driving 5 or 15 minutes.. car is off and warm.. when starting it again, it turns over 2 seconds and the engine turns on. my question is, I do not know if it's normal and I'm worried that one day it will turn over and not start. I can't find a fuel pump relay.. I want to diagnose everything that might need attention for long travel.. any help would be highly appreciated. thank you
Apr 20, 2020 at 9:59 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
KASEKENNY
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 18,907 POSTS
This sounds normal. However, if there were an issue I would suspect the fuel pump is getting weak. The best way to test this is a fuel pump pressure test. A guide is below on how to do this.

If you don't have a gauge to check this then when this is going to have a cold start, try turning the key to the on position (the one before it cranks) and pause for 2 seconds, and do it about 3 times and then try to start it. If it starts faster then the fuel pump is weakening.

If it makes no difference, I suspect it is normal because it does take longer to start a cold engine then one that is warm.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-cranks-excessively-before-starting

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Let me know what happens and we can go from there. Thanks
Apr 20, 2020 at 4:16 PM
Avatar
DAVISMELODY6669
  • MEMBER
  • 65 POSTS
I tried downloading the service manual from E-manual downloads online and didn't go through so I have no resources of how and what numbers should be looking at... Would you know the fuel pressure it should be on?
Apr 22, 2020 at 10:21 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
KASEKENNY
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 18,907 POSTS
I am sorry. I normally attach that. Here it is.
Image (Click to enlarge)
Attached Media
Apr 22, 2020 at 7:31 PM