Hard Starts Smell of Gas

[jbarber]

Does anyone have any ideas as to what could be wrong with my vet, here are the symptoms:

1.) Hard Starts (usually harder as it is colder outside)
2.) Smells terrible of Gas right after it starts but the smell goes away after the start
3.) A Cloud of smoke right after start up, but than goes away
4.) Runs absolutely fine except for the hard start condition
5.) No Service Engine Light or codes stored in computer.

Any ideas will be greatly appreciated

JB

[Ken]

Originally Posted by jbarber

1.) Hard Starts (usually harder as it is colder outside)

I'll let others fill in the many blanks, but this could be due to any number of things, from a simple fuel filter plug-off to a weak spark.

2.) Smells terrible of Gas right after it starts but the smell goes away after the start.

Could be the charcoal canister, which would tie-in with question #1.

3.) A Cloud of smoke right after start up, but than goes away.

Probably valve seals, although I'm not sure the LT-1 had the same problems with them as the L-98 did.

4.) Runs absolutely fine except for the hard start condition.

I guess there's no complaint here, eh?

5.) No Service Engine Light or codes stored in computer.

... Nor here either.

Good luck. More will come along with suggestion to help. Welcome to the Corvette Action Center, by the way.

[Vettefan87]

Originally Posted by jbarber

3.) A Cloud of smoke right after start up, but than goes away

My friends dad has a 50th anniversary with 15k on it and it puffs a little on start ups, I had thought that any engine will do this if it sits for an extended period of time without starting, like most cars do in the winter, especially Corvettes with the snow.


Justin

[Hib Halverson]

Do the fuel pressure tests in the service manual. I suspect they will prove you have leaking injectors.

[redc4corvette]

Maybe?Need to clean the throttle body about $15.00 for parts , clean or replace the IAC valve in the throttle body? How is the air filter?
How many miles on car o2 sensors all 3.

[Tuna]

I'm with Hib on this one - sounds like leaking injectors flooding the cylinder(s) leaving a lot of raw gas in the exhaust after start.

Check the fuel pressure. If the pressurs drops fast after shut off, then one or more injectors are probably leaking down or the check valve is bad. It should hold pressure for a long time after shut off.

[bnhynum]

I started having the same problem and finally stopped starting all together. If you are seeing the check engine light while it is cranking you may be getting some codes in history. Get the codes from the computer if possible. most common for this problem will be 16, 36 and 42. If no codes then start with the fuel pressure. should be 41lbs when you turn the ignition key on and hold there. Let me know if you are getting any codes. I will share the GM Service Manual flow chart for solving them.

btw - nice choice of year and color.