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      05-04-2011, 07:21 PM   #1
ski_rush
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Taking longer to crank and then start...Please help me diagnosis

Hello everyone, 3 days ago, my car started doing this odd thing. If the car has been sitting for a few hours and I go to start it...the engine cranks and is taking much longer to actually start than before.

Previously, the engine would turn over very quickly after turning the key.

However, now, it takes (what feels like) a long time. It's cranking, and cranking, and leaving me wondering (for a second) if it's going to actually start, and then it starts.

It's a 2007 3.0i. I've only used premium gas. I mention the gas because it's like the car isn't getting gas or something.

What do you guys think? Is it the starter? The battery? The fuel pump? I still have 1000k miles of original warranty left.

Please help, thanks
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      05-04-2011, 07:59 PM   #2
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So what your saying is the engine is turning over much slower than before?

Sounds like a battery that's about to leave you stranded. My original battery was replaced per the service history back when it had approx 22k miles.
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      05-04-2011, 08:02 PM   #3
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No, I wouldn't say the cranking speed is slower...just that it's cranking for a longer time than before. That's what's weird.
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      05-04-2011, 08:09 PM   #4
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Hopeully you're still underwarranty (2007 with 22k miles). But I'd be curious about battery or plugs. I'd also check all the grounds in the car, esp if the dealer can't find anything. Please keep us posted.
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      05-05-2011, 07:38 AM   #5
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Mine did the same thing before the battery died. Can't hurt to check the voltage your battery is putting out. Just use a meter on the positive and negative terminals under the hood after the car has sat for a few hours.
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      05-05-2011, 07:41 AM   #6
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I think OP meant that the battery is fine, the engine is just not firing as soon as expected...
"It's cranking, and cranking, and leaving me wondering (for a second) if it's going to actually start"

Fuel pump perhaps?
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      05-05-2011, 11:03 AM   #7
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I have the same issue with mine. Takes a long time to start but cranks just fine. It could be early signs of the battery going but my first thought was a leaky fuel injector. I just have a feeling the dealer will say everything is fine.
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      05-05-2011, 11:18 AM   #8
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Mine does that when the battery is dying (low voltage)... im at the dealer now getting my computer reset.. went into transport mode again
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      05-05-2011, 11:27 AM   #9
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The cranking speed won't slow down much as the battery dies...the crank speed of the starter is set. If the voltage is too low, it takes longer to fire up (thus the "cranking and cranking). I'd bet my brother's toes it's the battery. Mine was fine in the morning, dead in the afternoon. It's so easy to check the voltage...just put a meter on it real quick. If it reads below 12.25-12.5 volts after sitting for a couple hours, the battery is no longer holding the charge it should.
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      05-05-2011, 12:58 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vicj View Post
the crank speed of the starter is set.
Interesting... didn't know that
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      05-05-2011, 03:49 PM   #11
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If it was the N54 engine, no brainer, the HPFP. But even LPFP go bad, and I vote with z4mnyc: fuel pump.
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      05-05-2011, 05:10 PM   #12
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The Fuel Pump would certainly be the second thing I'd check.
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      05-05-2011, 08:30 PM   #13
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Thanks everyone. I will see what they say. I travel a lot for work, so I really only get to drive the cars on weekends. I wish I could just run out to the garage right now and check the volts, but I'm a few hundred miles away from the car right now.

I hope it's just the battery...that's a pretty easy fix. I'm more worried that it would be the alternator or fuel pump because that would cost a lot of money I'm guessing...and with my luck...it would go out right after my warranty ended (which is very soon).

I have an appointment with my dealership for next week. They are very accommodating, but I get the impression that they tell people what they want to hear rather that actually fix things. I have this feeling they will do the whole, "Seems fine to me" stuff.

I will post an update after it gets figured out.
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      05-17-2011, 10:28 PM   #14
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Turns out my car had a bad case of gas

The issue with the starting went away when I got a new tank of gas. I felt embarrassed talking to service guy about it because it wasn't doing it anymore. As soon as I got new gas, it went away. Battery charge checked out fine.

My wife and I disagree with what happened. She says the premium gas I bought went bad. I say that I never got premium gas even though I paid for it.

Has anyone bought gas... Paid for premium and really end up getting regular?
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      05-18-2011, 12:23 AM   #15
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Not that I know of--could just be ****y gas too. Either way, don't fill up there again!
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      05-18-2011, 11:14 PM   #16
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Bad Gas fillup

Getting unleaded out of the premium pump could happen.
Could be an accident by the tanker driver or intentional by the station owner.
Not sure if Texas tests the octane as often as they check the gas pump accuracy. I'm sure PA has similar tests.
Probably a BIG fine if they get caught selling regular at premium prices.

Was it an independent gas station, a big name oil company corporate owned station, or an independent station with a big name oil company on the sign?

Underground gas tanks have been know to flood/leak diluting (somewhat) the tank contents. There are a lot of safeguards preventing water getting from the underground tank to your engine cylinders but I suppose it could happen.

If possible, I too, would suggest you avoid that station...at least for a few weeks or more.

Your gas probably didn't "go bad" unless it is 6 months old and not ever "mixed up" by driving around.
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      05-19-2011, 11:09 AM   #17
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Also read where our engines do not like too much corn. So it may be (if like Missouri all gas has corn in it by law) that the concentration of Ethenol to gas is higher than 10%. Then again I know nothing. I have also heard that fuel with Ethenol in it goes back much quicker than normal fuel. I like corn on my plate not in my tank.

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      05-19-2011, 01:52 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ShakyDog View Post
Also read where our engines do not like too much corn. So it may be (if like Missouri all gas has corn in it by law) that the concentration of Ethenol to gas is higher than 10%. Then again I know nothing. I have also heard that fuel with Ethenol in it goes back much quicker than normal fuel. I like corn on my plate not in my tank.

Steve
I hate corn on just about everything. corn, corn syrup, corn flakes, ethanol in gasoline...entire country is pigged out on corn.

Hopefully, it wasn't corn that made your engine have a slow crank.
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      05-19-2011, 02:26 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by esqu1re View Post
I hate corn on just about everything. corn, corn syrup, corn flakes, ethanol in gasoline...entire country is pigged out on corn.

Hopefully, it wasn't corn that made your engine have a slow crank.
Pigged out indeed. Corn is exactly what one feeds to livestock to fatten them up. And it makes cars sluggish. Hate this stuff.
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