I'm new to these forums. I have a problem with my 2001 Saturn SL manual. 108,000 miles

Everytime I try to start it, it takes at least 5 turnovers before it starts. The first time this happened, my car would not idle correctly, either idling at around 500 or 2000 and had problems keeping a constant flow of gas going when the throttle wasn't being moved. Now after a couple days, it doesn't have any problems once it starts up, but I have this problem of way too many turnovers before it starts. The engine light did come on, but now has dissappeared.

I had a problem before where I had gotten a bad tank of gas which would stall out my car. Would the fuel pump need to be replaced?

 

Check the ECTS. Is it worse when the engine is warm?

 

+1 ects

 

I should have said I have already replaced the ECTS with a brass one, fuel filter, o2 sensors, and gave it a tune up when I was having problems trying to figure out why it seemed like I wasn't getting gas.

I really do think it might be the fuel pump.

 

it isn't any worse when its warm. Actually its better and the startup is quicker.

 

correct fuel filter for the car? (never hurts to check)

fuel pressure check via schrader valve on fuel rail in order

 

Sounds like the system is not maintaining the proper pressure in the fuel system. I do remember that my '98 has a really nasty habit of losing prime if I parked it on a hill overnight. OSLO -- does the problem get worse if you have 1/4 tank or less of fuel ???

 

I havent drove my car far enough to get it below a 1/4 of a tank yet. Its always parked on a flat surface. I do remember buying the correct fuel filter, but it may be time to change it again?? It was changed a couple winters ago. Maybe I have gotten another bad batch of gas? I do have a correction, it takes probably over 10 turnovers to start on average unless it is warm.

 

fuel pressure info invaluable while trying to start.

You're slowly killing your starter

 

I do have another update. It runs alot worse with less than 1/4 of a tank. Idles almost so low that it dies and takes more turnovers. If I turn the key off and on a few times to let it prime a few more times, the startup isn't as bad, so it probably isn't a fuel pump. Checked the trouble codes and I have gotten bad o2 sensor and fuel too rich which I don't think are the problems. Yes it does sound like a fuel pressure problem.