my 94 LX is hard to start when hot

[bandman659]

This is a recent problem and I had no warning that there was even a problem until one day my car wouldn't start after it sat for an hour after I drove it.

when the engine is still hot, my car just cranks and cranks and cranks. The exhaust and engine compartment smell like gas, and there's no leaks anywhere. I'm getting spark, and since the whole damn car smells like gas, I can safely assume I'm at least getting SOME fuel.

I've done some googling around and seen a similar problem that someone had with a different car where the same condition was a bad fuel pressure regulator. I've also read that this can be caused by a bad MAF. What does this condition sound like to you guys?

[HaitianProtege]

Get another protege and swap the mafs and see wat happens.

[Jho]

This is a recent problem and I had no warning that there was even a problem until one day my car wouldn't start after it sat for an hour after I drove it.

when the engine is still hot, my car just cranks and cranks and cranks. The exhaust and engine compartment smell like gas, and there's no leaks anywhere. I'm getting spark, and since the whole damn car smells like gas, I can safely assume I'm at least getting SOME fuel.

I've done some googling around and seen a similar problem that someone had with a different car where the same condition was a bad fuel pressure regulator. I've also read that this can be caused by a bad MAF. What does this condition sound like to you guys?

You don't want to just keep cranking and cranking. If you are getting fuel, it would not be good to be pumping all of that raw fuel in there.

Check to see if your rail is actually getting fuel.

[BPWagon]

Any running problems before you shut it down?

[naprotejay]

My 94 LX had no problems at all with a cold start, but had a hard time starting when hot. It would eventually 'sputter' to life after 5 or so seconds of cranking.

Swapped the entire fuel rail (injectors + fpr) from another LX; problem fixed.

In my case, it was either leaking injector(s) or bad fpr.

[Tazman2]

My 94 LX had no problems at all with a cold start, but had a hard time starting when hot. It would eventually 'sputter' to life after 5 or so seconds of cranking.

Swapped the entire fuel rail (injectors + fpr) from another LX; problem fixed.

In my case, it was either leaking injector(s) or bad fpr.

Yeah i keep seeing that bad FPRs cause problems on hot starts. We shall see as my 89 Tracer/323 has the same exact issue and i'm getting a new FPR because its driving me nuts! Plus i think the MPG should increase too since the engine isn't gonna be dumped with fuel anymore!

[bandman659]

I took it by a shop to get them to test everything (I don't have the tools, patience, or time) and they told me that my coolant temp sensor was bad and my cooling fan relay was inop. So it looks like I'll be replacing my radiator, temp sensor, and relay this weekend.

[Jho]

I took it by a shop to get them to test everything (I don't have the tools, patience, or time) and they told me that my coolant temp sensor was bad and my cooling fan relay was inop. So it looks like I'll be replacing my radiator, temp sensor, and relay this weekend.

Good luck with that, and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

[bandman659]

Fair Warning: The coolant temp sensor that AutoZone carries DOESN'T fit the DOHC engine, even though their computers say it does. The threads are completely different.

Should I bite the bullet and order one from the dealership or try Advance Auto Parts or NAPA, as they don't carry the same one that AutoZone does?

[Jho]

Fair Warning: The coolant temp sensor that AutoZone carries DOESN'T fit the DOHC engine, even though their computers say it does. The threads are completely different.

Should I bite the bullet and order one from the dealership or try Advance Auto Parts or NAPA, as they don't carry the same one that AutoZone does?

Are you sure they are giving you the right one? There are various coolant sensors......thermo fan switch, coolant temp sensor, guage sending unit, ect.

Try a different parts store.