Engine starting pet peeve

[79sunrunner]

Who here likes to turn their key on, wait for the fuel pump to shut off, then start the car. In my mind it primes fuel, to help the engine start faster, and less wear on the starter motor. Is this sometimes true? I never see anyone else do it, even though they have high mileage cars. Maybe its just an "OCD" I have with starting all cars.

-tip- it seems impossible to do on the Aston Martins equipped with the Emotional Control units, you press the key in, a delay of a second later, the starter motor engages. Annoying to watch on my most favorite cars

 

[gregk24]

I do it! Thought it was just me.

 

[kyxtremetuber]

I like to get in and crank right away its my engine prelube starters are cheap compared to main or rod bearings and timming chains

 

[Kuato]

On the Jeep 4.0 - especially in hot weather - if you don't prime the fuel pump you can have a hard starting issue; so it's every time for me.

 

[cmorr]

Originally Posted By: 79sunrunner
Who here likes to turn their key on, wait for the fuel pump to shut off, then start the car. In my mind it primes fuel, to help the engine start faster, and less wear on the starter motor.


If your fuel pressure was significantly bleeding down it would take more then a few seconds to "prime" it.

Ever have a bad fuel pump or other issue where you have significant pressure leak-down after key off.

Do what you wish but the pressure in your fuel rail is more then enough to start the car without waiting for the pump to shut off

BTW - A Pet peeve is something others do that annoys you

 

[fdcg27]

Since starters are normally lifetime parts on most FI engines, I don't think there's much to worry about.
Also, unless the check valves are bad, there's always enough pressure in the fuel rail to start the engine.
Back in the day, I used to wait for the very audible operation of the fuel pump to stop after turning the key to the run position with either my MGB or our old '76 Civic.
Haven't done so since, and you never could have done so with those cars equipped with a mechanical fuel pump, like our two old '86 Civics.

 

[eljefino]

I pause but crank before the pump shuts off. Relays are wear parts too.

 

[cchase]

Starter motors don't usually "wear out" from simply starting a car. Usually corrosion alone kills them first. Motors are, after all, designed to run. Starter motors are no exception.

 

[SatinSilver]

So about a second or two then the final crank? I'm going to have to start doing this. Noticed it seems to take an extra crank lately. I'm guessing maybe because of the cold and the ethanol laced winter fuel. Have a nice day!

 

[79sunrunner]

This is on my new Fiat, but I've noticed this too on a 94 Chevy 350 and a 94 Ford Ranger and 06 Mustang.

 

[NHGUY]

I notice some older car fans actually cycle the key on,off,on,off to build pressure.Geez,now the relays and key switch and pump will wear out.Not to mention the spikes to the ECM.

 

[wirelessF]

Either Toyotas have the quietest fuel pumps or I don't hear any priming when turning the key to the on position. For some reason they also have the longest cranking times vs my Silverado or Sentra.

 

[SS1970chrysler]

I've never had one of those new-fangled electric pumps. It's just a fad that will soon pass.

 

[FL_Rob]

On my 92 Chevy van.I pause so i can hear the fp run then i crank. Within that 2 second window the line is pressurized, reducing crank time.
The Subaru on the other hand will crank two full crank revolutions(it seems)regardless if "primed or not".I'm pretty sure i count eight "pulses" till it catches which takes about 1.5 sec.

 

[CurtisB]

This is a good cold starting aid, I've been using this trick for years with commercial trucks and it cuts cranking time down big time. Although I never cycle the key on-off I wait for the fuel pumps audible cut out than begin to crank. If you are dealing with a weak battery the less cranking needed the better.

 

[SubLGT]

Originally Posted By: satinsilver
……...Noticed it seems to take an extra crank lately. I'm guessing maybe because of the cold and the ethanol laced winter fuel. Have a nice day!


I have noticed this every late autumn for the last few years. Im thinking it is because the winter blend fuel has been mixed with summer blend fuel in the gas station storage tank, resulting in too low a vapor pressure for a quick 35 degF start.

 

[bullwinkle]

I usually wait for the relay to click-force of habit from driving diesels!

 

[supton]

Only in cold weather. But because I'm waiting for the glowplug light to go out.

Otherwise, nope, never even thought to do this.

My truck has this cool feature: if you just key it slightly, it will crank until it starts. I mentioned this on a different forum, and was told this was common (these days) for automatics.

So now I try to see how short of a time I can key it for...

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: wirelessF
Either Toyotas have the quietest fuel pumps or I don't hear any priming when turning the key to the on position. For some reason they also have the longest cranking times vs my Silverado or Sentra.


I was bummed when I had the pump replaced on the Jetta, as I've been able to hear it ever since--and that is inside the car. Outside I can't hear it. Funny, now that you mention it, I've never heard my Toyota fuel pumps either.

 

[The_Eric]

Originally Posted By: cmorr
Originally Posted By: 79sunrunner
Who here likes to turn their key on, wait for the fuel pump to shut off, then start the car. In my mind it primes fuel, to help the engine start faster, and less wear on the starter motor.


If your fuel pressure was significantly bleeding down it would take more then a few seconds to "prime" it.

Ever have a bad fuel pump or other issue where you have significant pressure leak-down after key off.

Do what you wish but the pressure in your fuel rail is more then enough to start the car without waiting for the pump to shut off

BTW - A Pet peeve is something others do that annoys you

Agreed.

My Hyundai will fire in a fraction of a second after sitting for weeks. Just jump in, hit the starter and it will start in the amount of time it takes for a piston to come up on compression.