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e85 cold start issues

T

tzerilli

New member
hey everyone been dealing with this problem for a min

around the start of the summer I switched my car from 93 octane to e85 to do the switch I went to #60 injectors, sent a different pcm than the one I've been using on my car to zzp for a tune ,installed a high flow fuel filter, did the fuel pump rewire, and swapped to a lq4 MAF all at once and ever since my car struggles miserably to start (3 or 4 tries minimum) if its been sitting for 10+ hours NO MATTER THE TEMP even in that recent heatwave where I was at temps were at 100F once it finally does start it will run very rough if put into drive and sometimes stall in the first 30 sec after that the car runs amazing in fact best its ever ran. I've heard of cold start issues with e85 but this just doesn't seem right also received this code recently p1626 and wonder if the pcm is to blame. I checked fuel pressure and all the numbers were great even held pressure for over 30 min. changed the fuel filter again. changed the spark plugs. just changed the o2 sensor (upstream not running downstream only wideband). I've been in contact with tim at zzp and plan on making the trip down there and have him take a look but its a 3 hour drive and am trying to plan a trip out there but i would like to try and fix it before going. any suggestions as to what could be wrong im open to anything because i am stooped any help would be appreciated.

car is a 2004 gtp for reference
 


Some cars like a little more cranking fuel and startup fuel. It will probably just need some adjustment from zzp.
 
GTPpower said:
Some cars like a little more cranking fuel and startup fuel. It will probably just need some adjustment from zzp.
Click to expand...


THIS

I have tuned a few cars with e85 and some of them needed the startup fueling to be adjusted so they would start easier.
 
in the meantime you can try turning the key to run for a few seconds, then off and back on, double prime action. then crank it.
 
Scottydoggs said:
in the meantime you can try turning the key to run for a few seconds, then off and back on, double prime action. then crank it.
Click to expand...

I do this out of habit now but it still takes at least 3 tries doing it and I noticed it will stop cranking after 2 or 3 cranks even if I hold the key longer? could that be the pcm or even a misfire?
 
starter might be getting weak, should spin it pretty fast as long as you hold the key to crank.

bad cable or grounding point could be bad too. that could make it stop cranking.

if your local to zzp id go there and have them re tune this issue. mail order might not work out so good. kinda shocked they did a mail order e85 tune to start with. no one is really doing them. unless its in car tuning.
 


yea im pretty local im in metro Detroit area and they're grand rapids have a friend living there for school and seeing if I can stay with them because im assuming ill have to leave the car overnight so they can fix the issue from a cold car or is this something I can just drive up there they fix and then I leave within hours?
 
if its hard to start all the time id hope they could fix it in 30 minutes or less. a edit to the bin and a flash takes minutes, then its test the adjustment out. might take a few tries.

id also ask em to scan and adjust the timing and fueling while your there, cause a canned tune is just pre set, not set as per your engines needs. they all want a little something different.
 
it starts fine every time unless the engine is cold 10+ hours of sitting so ill probably have to leave it over night then just to be safe and not have to make two trips right?
 
yeah something like that then. you'll have to call them up and set it all up im sure. cant see them dropping everything if you just pop in and drop it off.
 
You also might want to ask if they can fix it. I'm not sure they have the software to make the changes needed.
 


I think ZZP uses HPT from what I recall.

So you state it only cranks for a couple seconds then stops? It should crank until it starts or you release the key. Remove fuel pump fuse. Does it crank until you release the key? If not troubleshoot that issue.
Next the hard to start. Hook up a noid light and timing light. Check for fuel injector firing and spark firing. If both are good then start looking at tune. Spray some ether in then try. Does it fire right up? Add cold start fueling.

ZZP did my dyno tune. Cold starts above 32 degrees and fired right up. Faster than stock. Below 32 I added a lot, I mean a lot, of fuel to get the E85 to light off. It starts just like stock now in cold weather but I had to add a lot of fuel to get it to start quickly when cold.
 
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