Intermittent Hard Starting When Warm
06-23-2012, 05:15 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: 01-21-2012
Location: New York
Posts: 8
Intermittent Hard Starting When Warm
Recently, my 2006 HHR LT began exhibiting difficulty starting when the engine is either hot or just sat for a couple of hours after running & not being completely cold. When the engine is cool, it starts right up.
I just replaced the fuel pump as 1 of the threads on here showed many HHR owners suffering the same problem of the intermittent hard starting when warm only to be corrected after replacing the fuel pump.
The problem still exists...
Also, I replaced the battery.
Any suggestions on what else I can check?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I just replaced the fuel pump as 1 of the threads on here showed many HHR owners suffering the same problem of the intermittent hard starting when warm only to be corrected after replacing the fuel pump.
The problem still exists...
Also, I replaced the battery.
Any suggestions on what else I can check?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Last edited by Dyke67ny; 06-23-2012 at 08:24 PM.
06-23-2012, 08:20 PM
#3
Thread Starter
Join Date: 01-21-2012
Location: New York
Posts: 8
67,400 miles & no, I have not replaced the plugs.
The car performs great when its already running or when its cold out. Its only hard starting when the engine is hot but after a few attempts it fires up normally with no further issues until you go to restart it after its been running for awhile...
This problem just started a couple of weeks ago...
The car performs great when its already running or when its cold out. Its only hard starting when the engine is hot but after a few attempts it fires up normally with no further issues until you go to restart it after its been running for awhile...
This problem just started a couple of weeks ago...
06-24-2012, 03:56 AM
#5
Platinum Member
Join Date: 04-09-2006
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 7,037
I've had similar issues with a tank of bad gas - and also with heat-soak on an early Fuel-injected Volvo due to the Bosch FI. I've also encountered it with a particular brand of gas that I won't mention (Shell) years ago, and now I will push my car to a gas station rather than use that particular brand. :-)
With the low mileage on the car, could it be it has been happening on the one tank of gas since it has only been happening for a couple of weeks?
The plugs don't owe you anything - I'd change them out and see what happens.
With the low mileage on the car, could it be it has been happening on the one tank of gas since it has only been happening for a couple of weeks?
The plugs don't owe you anything - I'd change them out and see what happens.
06-24-2012, 07:33 AM
#6
Deceased
Join Date: 06-30-2010
Location: Kannapolis NC
Posts: 25,739
Hmmm...well my first thoughts mirrored whopper's "heat soak and vapor lock", but that just almost never happens on "modern" vehicles.
No codes knocked my second thought about cam sensors/actuators off the table at least for now, but not entirely.
A tank of bad fuel may be the cause, have you changed gas stations lately?
Throwing plugs in 30,000 miles "early" can't hurt, but are they the cause, probably not. And make sure if you do change out the plugs, use the proper AC Delco ones, Ecotec engines are known for not liking other brands.
I'd take it somewhere to have your fuel pressure checked when its cold, and then after getting it up to operating temperature, you may have a failing pressure regulator.
No codes knocked my second thought about cam sensors/actuators off the table at least for now, but not entirely.
A tank of bad fuel may be the cause, have you changed gas stations lately?
Throwing plugs in 30,000 miles "early" can't hurt, but are they the cause, probably not. And make sure if you do change out the plugs, use the proper AC Delco ones, Ecotec engines are known for not liking other brands.
I'd take it somewhere to have your fuel pressure checked when its cold, and then after getting it up to operating temperature, you may have a failing pressure regulator.
06-24-2012, 07:58 AM
#7
Thread Starter
Join Date: 01-21-2012
Location: New York
Posts: 8
Where is the pressure regulator located? I had thought it might be part of the fuel pump assembly as those who had the same issue as mine, replaced the fuel pump only to have it correct the problem.
As for gas (vapor lock was considered too), I would not think it would just cause a hard start when the engine is hot & then not have any other issues. Will fill it with different gas today either way.
I've also been thinking of a possible sensor since its only when hot.
As for gas (vapor lock was considered too), I would not think it would just cause a hard start when the engine is hot & then not have any other issues. Will fill it with different gas today either way.
I've also been thinking of a possible sensor since its only when hot.
06-24-2012, 08:22 AM
#8
Deceased
Join Date: 06-30-2010
Location: Kannapolis NC
Posts: 25,739
The fuel pressure regulator is part of the fuel pump module, and replacement of the entire fuel pump is the recommended procedure when fuel pressure regulation becomes erratic. Can your new fuel pump have a bad regulator, yes, is it terribly likely...no...but a check of fuel pressure is still something to think about.
If you can shoot me a PM with your e-mail address, I can send you the troubleshooting section of the 2006 factory service manual in PDF form. Do you have a 2.2 or a 2.4 in your LT?
If you can shoot me a PM with your e-mail address, I can send you the troubleshooting section of the 2006 factory service manual in PDF form. Do you have a 2.2 or a 2.4 in your LT?