Hard starting

[billfires]

I replaced the plugs, wires and distributor cap on the wife's 98 XJ and it has a tendency to not start up unless you crank the starter and the shut it off and it will always restart. I am at a loss for the cause, any suggestions very much appreciated. Thanks, Bill C

[martin]

sounds like the check valve in the fuel pump has failed, I mean it not holding pressure. The solution is to replace the fuel pump. I hear on the late 90s you have to drop the tank to change the fuel pump.

You might want to try this as the Rube Goldberg solution. Turn the ignition switch to on, listen for the fuel pump, when it shuts off after 1-3 seconds, then turn the key to off and try to start.

If you do this you can build pressure in the line, then start. If one cycle on does not do it then the next time try two cycles. I had a coworker do that for 2 years instead of buying a new fuel pump.

There is a test a mechanic can do, they hook up a pressure gauge to the fuel rail. After 30 mins or an hour their is only supose to be a small pressure loss like 1 psi. If it bleed down quicker then the first suspect is the check valve.

[billfires]

Martin, thanks for the info, Bill C

[XJTripp]

I have installed a BMW external check valve in line with the fuel filter in order to confirm whether the check valve is the culprit. The cost was $3.63 and it fit perfectly. It did shorten my start times. I tried turning the key to the on position and waiting a moment or two before starting. It did not help. Now that I have the problem licked, I'm going to wait and get an oem pump with a new sender and change the entire assembly this winter.