Sorry if there is another thread about this but i cannot find it.

My mothers car is not starting unless you give it gas. Only if its the first start in the morning, or let it sit until cools completely down. It acts like it wants to fire but doesn't. And after you get it started it runs rough for a minute or two and smokes out the exhaust. Then clears up and runs great. We had the code it showed p0171 (System lean bank 1). So cleaned throttle body and relearned it , checked for vacuum leaks and cleaned the maf sensor with the proper cleaner. The light went off then came back on saying p0172.

Still having the issues with starting.

Thank you all in advance for taking your time to respond.
I am just confused and do not know where to continue.

 

A p0172 indicates several things that need checking:
https://www.yourmechanic.com/article...-blake-griffin

 

Could also be a cracked flex pipe?

 

Welcome to the site, the P0171 indicates possible dirty MAF and possibly a cracked flex pipe

https://www.obd-codes.com/p0171

And the P0172 could also be a cracked flex pipe

https://www.obd-codes.com/p0172

This will get you going

Ecotec Parts Flex Pipe Replacement

 

Thank you all.

I do hear a very small noise sounds like a leak. But you cant hear it unless its under a load. I looked at it a while back and cannot see a crack. Granted i did not remove it from the car. But would that cause the starting issue we are having as well.

 

Can anyone think of anything I can try.

 

Uh. There is multiple suggestions above and some links they posted for you to read AND a link for the flex pipe they alluded to.
You could try those 1st.

 

You could try getting it to a mechanic.

My guess is a bad fuel pump or a bad purge valve.

 

A fuel injector may be leaking slowly so the system doesn't hold pressure. This will require a longer cranking time to build fuel pressure. Once the engine starts, the fuel that leaked out of the injector will be pulled in causing the black smoke. The injector may continue leaking and cause a rich condition.

Try turning the key to on for 10 seconds. Turn it off and on again then count to 5 before turning it to start. This give the electric pump time to build pressure. It's on a timer so it will only run for a few seconds. If it starts that way you can try some fuel injector cleaner in the fuel tank. If you have a code reader you can clear the code once it's running and watch the oxygen sensor reading to see if it continues to run rich after it runs.

 

I tested the fuel rail after I turned the key on it held at 57. It's not black smoke. It's more white. But isn't the head gasket. Smells like fuel.

I do have a code reader I will try that this weekend. And we have ran 3 tanks of fuel system cleaner through it. Thank you.