Hard Start, I need help!
 

I have a 95 chevy blazer with a 4.3 Vortec engine. I was having problems with it running hot and found a stress fracture in the radiator from when it was in an accident years ago. I would periodically have a problem getting my blazer to start, it would try to start for a minute but it would always start. As soon as we fixed the radiator problem my blazer does not start at all. I will turn the key initially and it will catch like it wants to start but it will not. I have tried to start it until the battery died and still nothing. I went to Autozone and got some starting fluid and told them about the problem I was having. It is hard to start initially if you let it sit for a while, but once you get it started and drive it around it will run like a champ. They told me that it might be the fuel pump. When I got home I was determined to start the blazer so I sprayed the starting fluid on the intake and tried to start it and got nothing. Then I sprayed the starting fluid on the sensor that goes in the hosing from the air filter to the intake and it started up immediately. I was wondering if the sensor could be bad that is in the hosing? If the fuel pump was bad, wouldn't spraying the starting fluid on the intake make it start period? I thought maybe it was the EGR but the people at Autozone reassured me that it could not be that part, but I am not so sure. I would greatly appreciate any help. My dad replaced the radiator, radiator hoses, spark plugs, cap, rotor, transmission fluid and filter, fuel filter. The truck has a little over 173,000 miles on it.

RE: Hard Start, I need help!
 

i'll show this to a friend of mine at Chevy and see if he can assist since you've not had anyone answer you yet.

RE: Hard Start, I need help!
 

Check the spark plug gap.
Check to make sure the distriburator cap and rotor are on tight and correct.
Check to make sure all the spark plug wires are fully seated at both ends, including the coil wire.

I take it the truck ran before the tune up? If so, check the parts on the tune up. Start with the stuff you changed. If it ran before you changed it, it should be something you changed that cuased it to stop running. relax, it happens to all of us.

RE: Hard Start, I need help!
 

It would hesitate for a few moments but it would always start. It did have a few episodes over the winter when it did not want to start, but as soon as it got hot it instantly got worse. Now it has gotten to the point where it won't start at all without starting fluid. I will check the work that my dad did and I hope that it is that. Thanks.

RE: Hard Start, I need help!
 

this comes from my friend at chevy:
OK first off, a clogged EGR and or EGR port will make the car hard
start... but it wouldn't run "like a champ" after it started and a
check engine light would be on as well. If all of this started after
working on the truck, I would look to make sure all the connections
were put back properly. He said something about hitting it with
starting fluid and it starts... does it stall right out after? If so,
he has a fuel delivery concern. If it runs OK after the starting
fluid, I would suspect a bad fuel pressure regulator, bad injector,
clogged fuel filter (etc). Check out the entire fuel system. It may
need a CPI unit (spider).
I just read it again... he said he sprayed the fluid "on" the
intake... I hope he wasn't literally spraying it ON the intake and not
into the motor lol! He said he then tried spraying it INTO the intake
and it started... makes sense. I assume the sensor he is referring too
is the MAF sensor.
Also, there was a recall on the crank shaft position sensor. That can
be the cause as well. If you can get his vin, I can tell you if it has
the recall and if it has been done.

Document ID# 658442
1995 Chevrolet Blazer - 4WD


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Subject: No Start, Hard Start, Rough Idle After Start (Clean CPI
Poppet Valve) #99-06-01-022 - (12/21/1999)



Models: 1992-1995 Chevrolet and GMC M/L, S/T Models

1992-1995 Oldsmobile Bravada

with 4.3 L Engine (VIN W -- RPO L35)




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Condition
Some customers may comment on no start, hard start, rough idle after
start, surge, or other driveability concerns related to the fuel
system (clean CPI Poppet nozzles).

Cause
Under certain conditions, fuel elements may deposit on the poppet
balls, seats, or pintles, which can cause the poppet balls to stick in
either an open or closed position.

Correction
Follow the Strategy-Based diagnostics for your customer's specific
driveability concern. If diagnosis leads to sticking poppet nozzles,
this cleaning procedure should be performed prior to replacement of
the CPI injector.

CPI Injector Cleaning Procedure
Loosen the fuel filler cap to relieve vapor pressure in the fuel tank.
Raise the vehicle on a hoist.



Locate the underbody fuel line (1) junction point:
• For S/T and L-van, it is along the left frame rail at approximately
mid-vehicle.

• For M-van, it is behind the left-front wheel housing.

Caution: Considerable fuel leakage may occur. Make sure that
protective eyewear is worn, and that suitable fuel containment
measures are taken.

Loosen and disconnect both the pressure and return lines at their
junction points. The fittings towards the front of the vehicle (both
pressure and return) have "male" fittings, and the fittings towards
the rear of the vehicle have "female" fittings.



Install the J 44466-2 (1) (this hose has two 90 degree male fittings
and no service port) to the "fuel tank" side of the fuel pressure and
return lines. Installation of this hose eliminates the need to
electrically disable the fuel pump and allows fuel to recirculate to
the fuel tank.



Important: This cleaning procedure and service tools separate the fuel
tank and pump from the cleaning process. Do not allow the Top Engine
Cleaner solution to reach the fuel tank and/or pump. Top Engine
Cleaner solution may cause a failure of the fuel pump.

Install the J 44466-1 (3) (this hose has two female fittings and a
service port) to the "engine side" of the fuel pressure and return
lines. Installation of this hose creates a "loop" through the hose and
the engine side of the fuel system.



Obtain the J 35800-A (2). Make sure the valve at the bottom of the
canister (3) i

RE: Hard Start, I need help!
 

I have a 96 that had a simulare problem to yours. The truck, if sitting for a while, would need 5-10 attempts to start before it would catch. Problem was the fuel pump. It had enough preasure to run but not enough to start.

m.

RE: Hard Start, I need help!
 

I actually had the CPI unit replaced in March of 2005, but I had to have it replaced again in August of 2005. It was leaking gas into my oil, so I just let the dealership do it, which cost a pretty penny. I would not be surprised if it turned out to be that again. I replaced the MAF sensor today and it didn't really make a difference with the starting situation and I checked to make sure the fuel pump was coming on and it was. It is hard to pinpoint the problem because once you get it started it usually just keeps starting so I am going to leave it in the drive and see how it starts tomorrow or if it starts tomorrow. It does run good after you get it to start the first time, it will go all day without a problem. Is it pretty common for 1995 blazers to be a constant pain lol.