VS II Ecotec hard to start when cold

[thatotherguy94Participant VS Acclaim, VZ SSZ Ute View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 189]

I’m having a bit of trouble with my Calais at the moment with cold starts in the morning and in the afternoon when I finish work.
Basically it just keeps cranking over and wont actually start until I turn it off and on again, and when it eventually does start it runs a bit crappy for a few seconds and then runs fine. Drives fine otherwise other then the trans shifting hard sometimes (unrelated problem I think?). I’ve checked for codes and it only brings up code 73 which is the trans problem. Once its been started it will fire straight away again a within a couple of hours, after that it does the same thing again. Anyone got any ideas on what it could be?
Last service it had new plugs, leads, fuel filter plus the usual service bits. Its been doing it for a while now but seems to be getting worse. Thanks

[ImmortalityParticipant 97 HSV Senator 185i 02 VX L67 Calais View build HERE Member since: August 31, 2015 Posts: 535]

I’d be looking at either leaking injectors and/or leaking intake manifold gaskets.  Does it use any coolant at all?

The other possibility is the fuel system isn’t holding pressure (either the non-return valve in the fuel pump or the Fuel Pressure Regulator on the Fuel Rain).  Another possibility (but much less likely) is the PCM signal for the fuel pump relay isn’t working and it’s not getting any fuel pressure until the engine has been cranked over a bit to get enough oil pressure and trigger the fuel pump relay.

Most common problems though are leaky injectors and stuffed intake gaskets.

[thatotherguy94Participant VS Acclaim, VZ SSZ Ute View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 189]

Thanks, doesn’t use any coolant and the intake gaskets were done just before I got the car so I think those would be fine, might try and swap the fuel rail over and see if that fixes the problem

[thatotherguy94Participant VS Acclaim, VZ SSZ Ute View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 189]

Started it this morning and it smelt a bit like fuel after so it probably is a leaking injector? A better battery seems to also have helped.

[DJ Cosmic FireParticipant Gold CoastOct \'91 VP S-Pack Sedan Jul \'99 VT SrsII Wagon My \'13 VE SV6 Sedan View build HERE Member since: April 26, 2015 Posts: 8]

Usually those symptoms points towards the IAC (Idle Air Control) Throttle Body Sensor not performing as it should. Take the Throttle body off & give it a good clean & renew the IAC & TPS whilst your at it, as the TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) has a large influence on general auto shifting.

[thatotherguy94Participant VS Acclaim, VZ SSZ Ute View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 189]

An update to this, put a new fuel pump in and it seems to be starting a lot easier and running a lot better now, also fixed a couple of small things ive noticed since owning the car so must have been on its way out for a while now. Also noticing better fuel economy going off what the dash says since changing the pump so thats a bonus

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