Start and rough idle at start up

Tiny
RWYEATER
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 CHRYSLER VAN
  • 70,000 MILES
Here is the deal.
1. I am in Mexico and the shops here are TERRIBLE.

I have a 2001 Chrysler Voyager. It has the 3.3 V6.
For the last 2 months, EVERY morning after start up, it spits and sputters, wanting to stall. I put it in reverse and sometimes it will stall.

I then start it back up with and get moving (about 20feet or so) and it runs like a champ. All day it runs like a champ. Every once in a while, on slowing down or going over the huge mexican speed bumps, it will act like it is not getting gas.

I took it to a mechanic and he cleaned the air intake area, to no avail. Still does the same thing, EVERY single morning. Here, my only choice is to throw money at it and hope it get fixed. I really don't want to keep doing that anymore.

Just put new plugs and wires on it not 4 months back. Really odd, as it is mostly just at start up in morning. It is NOT cold here. Generally 78-100 degrees here, daily. Coldest mornings are 65. Now it is around 75 in the mornings and still does it at start up.

PLEASE HELP!
Sunday, May 12th, 2013 AT 6:20 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
I would start with a fuel pressure test. Low fuel presure will give these kinds of symptoms

roy
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Sunday, May 12th, 2013 AT 6:42 PM
Tiny
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Why only in the morning?
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Sunday, May 12th, 2013 AT 6:48 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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The long sit overnight allows the pump to drain down to nothing. It should retain pressure over a period of time. Even in the morning, if the pump is weak but can start the car, the time it takes to build up pressure

Roy
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Sunday, May 12th, 2013 AT 6:54 PM
Tiny
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That is just a weak fuel pump then? My only recourse would be replacing it?
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Sunday, May 12th, 2013 AT 6:56 PM
Tiny
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If it is the issue, the only course is to replace it and the fuel filter.

Do the pressure test and lets move forward

roy
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Sunday, May 12th, 2013 AT 6:58 PM
Tiny
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I must be there to see them do this, so what should I look for (pressure wise and times) and should this be hooked up upon start up I assume?
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Sunday, May 12th, 2013 AT 7:13 PM
Tiny
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Car must be left overnight to re create the issue. A fuel pressure gauge hooked up to monitor pressure on start up

Roy
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Sunday, May 12th, 2013 AT 7:51 PM
Tiny
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Is there a certain number I should look for during start up? The reason I ask is I cannot trust many people here so would like to see it and know what I am looking for.

Thanks SO much Roy.

You're awesome!
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Sunday, May 12th, 2013 AT 8:25 PM
Tiny
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Normal pressure is 40-45 lbs.

Roy
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Monday, May 13th, 2013 AT 2:38 AM
Tiny
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O.K. Roy. I had the mechanic come by. Fuel pressure read and stayed at 60. For the first time in 2 months, it did not sputter. I was stunned. Was it because of the fuel gauge being connected?

Anyway, I had the injectors cleaned yesterday, new air filter, new fuel filter, fuel regulator cleaned. All done yesterday.

I get up this morning. You guessed it, sputtering again. I let my wife drive off and it runs like a champ, with the occasional hesitation at a quick stop and go or large speed bump.

Your thoughts?
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Wednesday, May 15th, 2013 AT 9:46 AM
Tiny
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I need the fuel pressure at the time of the sputtering as we discussed. Did you leave it there for testing?

Roy
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Wednesday, May 15th, 2013 AT 4:08 PM
Tiny
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It did not sputter any during the test. I am going to do the test again tomorrow and give you the results. Yes, it was left there but it did not sputter at all. But, the following day, it resumed as it has been. Even sputtered on start up again today.
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Thursday, May 16th, 2013 AT 9:21 AM
Tiny
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LOL. You go to the doctors and always feel better

Roy
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Thursday, May 16th, 2013 AT 5:01 PM
Tiny
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Right Roy. Lol. I got some more input this morning.

1. The pressure during testing and subsequent sputtering stayed at 60psi.

2. He put a computer scanner on it and it showed everything was fine, no abnormal readings on anything.

3. He thinks it is the IAC sensor.

I have read up on it a bit and also the EGR sensor, which he did not mention as a possibility.

He said the IAC is the only other thing, with everything checking out the way it has, that could be the culprit.

I have someone coming in from the U.S. In a week and can get the parts for 50% less there. The van is going on the market in 2-weeks but I don't want to buy parts just to buy parts. At the same time, if it is not the IAC but the EGR or another part, I would rather be safe than sorry.

What do think?
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Monday, May 20th, 2013 AT 10:49 AM

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