Car takes a long time to start and will shut off

Tiny
SNUGALOVE
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
  • 54,000 MILES
Gt spyder 3.0L v6 convertible My car had overheated. It did not start and was sitting for a month and a half I bout a new battery and stayed off till was takin to the shop. Head gasket were repaired same spark plugs put back in changed the starter n they replaced the fuel pump because they said it was not getting fuel but still same problem. Well my car alarm remote broke in the time it was sitting so I did not give them that piece. They can't figure out the fuel relay or something like that and they are saying its that or the factory alarm not allowing to respond so I really need help I don't know if that's actual or some other possibilities and trying to get money off a female or really having problem because the price is raising. Plz help
Thursday, August 8th, 2013 AT 11:38 AM

19 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Presently what is the actual situation? Engine could not be started or what?
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Thursday, August 8th, 2013 AT 11:37 PM
Tiny
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Well now they got another fuel pump "used" and car has to Crank for a long time and after it starts not even a min or two it shuts off by itself. With my fuel pump it took a long time to start but stayed on till was parked and key turned to shut off
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Friday, August 9th, 2013 AT 10:02 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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The used fuel pump could be faulty or there is a leak in the fuel delivery syatem. Recheck the fuel pump and filter, which could be bad and leaking causing the problem.
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Friday, August 9th, 2013 AT 10:46 AM
Tiny
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Could it b that I completely messed up my engine. The hose underneath the radiator was not connected. I ran it at least 10 15 mins after that. But it had already shut off on me one time right before using it and couldn't find the problem. Obviously way to late. And they said I warped it bad they shaved down my gaskets quite a lot but my heads weren't cracked.
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Saturday, August 10th, 2013 AT 8:05 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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If the job had been done well, there should not be ny problem. You need to check the compression and fuel pressure.
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Saturday, August 10th, 2013 AT 11:33 AM
Tiny
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Now new spark plugs put in and I don't know what his definition of its starting better means. But still not cranking like it should. Can I legally remove my car because the job hasn't been completesd and not pay the remainder
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Saturday, August 10th, 2013 AT 4:41 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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  • 41,814 POSTS
Of course you can remove your vehicle from the garage but as to payment, that would be another matter. It would be best to talk to them and see what they want you to pay and you can consult the local authorities about it.

When heads are done, the hydraulic lash adjusters needs to be released of pressure, failing which you could have leaking valves and loss of compression. That would result in difficult or non starting. If you have sparks, this is what you should be looking at. Let them know about it and see how it goes.
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Saturday, August 10th, 2013 AT 9:29 PM
Tiny
SNUGALOVE
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Thank you for all of the info.I can't do anything till Monday then I may have much more?S. Thank you again!
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Saturday, August 10th, 2013 AT 10:41 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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You're welcome.

Keep us posted.
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Sunday, August 11th, 2013 AT 12:04 AM
Tiny
SNUGALOVE
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  • 10 POSTS
Hi there! Well my car is still takin a while to start n when it's being driven it shifts itself to neutral then gas is being pressed on a lot more than it should and it also shuts off alone. They said there is something wrong with my transmission because it was towed when it was hot. But it could just b the sensors right? I am going to take it to another shop I hope this is a good decision but its a lot of money rl replace the transmission as well right? Or could it b my head gaskets want done right in the first place?
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Thursday, August 15th, 2013 AT 6:51 PM
Tiny
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Head gasket might problem might result in difficult starting, stalling and rough idling but it would not affect transmission operations.

Have you tried checking for trouble codes for the transmission?
Difficult starting could be due to compression losses but so would low fuel pressure. Have those been checked?

Getting a second opinion is a good decision.
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Saturday, August 17th, 2013 AT 8:19 PM
Tiny
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They did ! N because the money that is owed is bein used for new car parts that other man is in his feelings.I made my decision of taking it to where I should taken my car in the first place.N the guy doesn't like it but they can't figure it out so do I still have to pay what is owed although the job was not well done?
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Monday, August 19th, 2013 AT 6:36 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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This is someting you need to sort out with the guy directly. I am surprised 2 mechanincs could not help you. Maybe a third opinion is required.
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Tuesday, August 20th, 2013 AT 5:28 AM
Tiny
SNUGALOVE
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Well they went to square one which was replacing the whole engine like they should have from the beginning. I hope this will be the last step n only charging $200 more bucks. I gues that's not to bad.
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2013 AT 12:07 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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I don't know why engine replacemetn is required but good luck.
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2013 AT 5:27 AM
Tiny
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Not enough compression he says
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2013 AT 4:03 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Usually insufficient compression is due to leaking valves and doing the head should be sufficient.
You had the heads done and what was tyhe piston rings and cylinder wear not checked?
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Thursday, August 22nd, 2013 AT 3:41 AM
Tiny
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Well he put a used engine it's what they were goin to do in the beginning then decided not to since my mileage was low. They found a car that was wrecked n put that engine in. I have my car now they just say drive it a lot to make sure it is good.
Well thank u for everything.
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Sunday, August 25th, 2013 AT 3:06 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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You're welcome.

Good luck.
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Sunday, August 25th, 2013 AT 5:19 PM

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