Starting issue

Asked by bumzag May 24, 2019 at 09:04 AM about the 2002 Buick Regal GS Sedan FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Gonna get right to the point: I have a 2002 Buick Regal GS with a starting issue. When I start the car,
it will NOT turn over unless I pump the gas pedal. I'm well aware that pumping the gas pedal just
opens the throttle body to allow in air, but the fact remains, the car will just keep trying to turn over
unless I pump the gas pedal.

Sometimes if the car has been sitting for a few days without running, it will start up immediately
without trouble. Other than that, if it's been running anytime in the past ~16 hours, it has difficulty
starting.

When the car does start, there is an extremely strong gas odor and white smoke coming from the
exhaust, so clearly it's running rich which tells me there's plenty of gas getting to the engine. After it
does turn over, it also misfires pretty heavily for a few seconds. That eventually settles down and it
idles very smooth, but there is an occasional misfire, but no SES code.

Here is what I have done so far:

- Cleaned and replaced the throttle body
- Cleaned and replaced the mass air flow sensor
- Replaced the throttle position sensor
- Replaced the idle air control valve
- Replaced the spark plugs and wires (ignition coils will be here sometime today)
- Replaced the fuel pressure sensor
- Replaced the fuel pressure regulator
- Replaced the PCV valve
- Replaced the fuel filter and fuel lines (both needed to be done regardless)
- Made the the spark plugs are in the correct order and properly gapped.

The only other related part I haven't replaced is the fuel pump, which I don't think is necessary as
there is fuel pressure at the rails when the pump is primed after turning the key. I also haven't
replaced the ignition coils but like I said I ordered those and they will literally be arriving today.

Any suggestions?

1 Answer

26,810

The white smoke makes me wonder if your burning coolant? Also, use a fuel pressure gage and check proper fuel pressure. After the pressure builds, turn off the key, the pressure should hold for a bit, if the pressure drops like a rock, you have a fuel pressure leak, maybe a fuel injector? There could be a problem with hot restart if over-fueling. If the vehicle sits for a while, the extra gas evaporates. Putting the pedal to the floor on start-up is, clear flood mode. Smell of your crank case oil dipstick, if it smells like gas, either it's over-fueling or you don't change the oil and filter very often. If temp related, another thought is coolant temp sensor. I'm not saying replace anything, you've already replaced a bunch.

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