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328 engine hard to start hot

Discussion in '308/328' started by CliffBeer, May 22, 2014.

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  1. CliffBeer

    CliffBeer Formula 3

    Apr 3, 2005
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    Seattle, Washington
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    Cliff
    #1 CliffBeer, May 22, 2014
    My 328 engine is hard to start when she's hot. She starts great cold, and runs well generally overall. The caps/rotors are clean, but quite old. The plug wires and extenders are all good/recent. She's had recent fuel/air filter changes and there's no major leaks or obvious issues with the engine. Compression is good, all 170-180. I changed the fuel accumulator about five years ago. The WUR is the original WUR and hasn't been touched except for cleaning of the inlet screen.

    Any ideas?

    Thanks in advance.
     
  2. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #2 Steve Magnusson, May 22, 2014
    Measure the fuel pressure at warm shut off to confirm/deny if losing fuel pressure is the root cause of your warm restart difficulty -- there are two other things (bad seal in pressure regulator section or bad fuel pump outlet check valve) besides the accumulator that can cause your symptom. However, remove the drain hose from the accumulator -- if liquid fuel comes out (with engine running) = bad accumulator; if dry = trouble elsewhere.
     
  3. craiggo

    craiggo Formula Junior
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    #3 craiggo, May 22, 2014
    What Steve said, though fuel came out of the back of mine not running. I JUST got mine back on the road form replacing the accumulator and it's never run as well as it does now. One major word of caution: if you replace the hose that runs from the accumulator to the top of the fuel tank (US version), and you should, USE EXTREME CAUTION. You can easily pull the nipple off the tank in the process (ask me how I know this). I replaced the accumulator, fuel pump and filter and she screams now.
     
  4. lostbowl

    lostbowl Formula 3

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    #4 lostbowl, May 22, 2014
    Steve,
    I have followed your posts and IMHO you are the real deal. My question is this, if the system is bleeding off pressure when hot why does said 328 have no issue cold?
    lost
     
  5. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 Steve Magnusson, May 22, 2014
    Because, when cold, the engine bay is cold, and even though the fuel in the system is at zero pressure, the fuel remains an incompressible liquid. There's only a problem when the fuel in the system is a zero pressure AND the temperature of that fuel in the system is high = then it turns into a compressible gas/vapor.
     
  6. lostbowl

    lostbowl Formula 3

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    #6 lostbowl, May 22, 2014
    Steve,
    I agree all very logical. Can the problem be that when in super heat, after shutting down, the fuel is vaporizing like some of the older American Iron?
    regards, Tom
     
  7. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 11, 2001
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    #7 Steve Magnusson, May 22, 2014
    Exactly the same physical situation...
     
  8. CliffBeer

    CliffBeer Formula 3

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    #8 CliffBeer, May 22, 2014
    Thank you gents, thank you Steve. That's very helpful.

    Does anyone happen to know the Bosch part number of the external check valve??

    Thank you.
     
  9. craiggo

    craiggo Formula Junior
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    #9 craiggo, May 22, 2014
    I don't know the specific answer to your question but I can tell you that if you order Bosch 69532 fuel pump (which I highly recommend) it will have a new one already attached.

    I tried going cheap with an aftermarket one and had a variety of problems (i.e. power plugs weren't threaded, input side was too small, couldn't find correct threaded nipple size). All of these had the check valve included. I'm sure others here have this all sorted out but ultimately it was easier to just get the Bosch replacement fuel pump.

    Craig
     
  10. Robz328

    Robz328 F1 Veteran
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    #10 Robz328, May 23, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Fuel Pressure Testing: Use 328 Tech pp. 21-22 to learn specs, and follow the instructions for the system measurement kit. Last 2 pics are fuel flow test.

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  11. CliffBeer

    CliffBeer Formula 3

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    #11 CliffBeer, May 24, 2014
    Thank you guys, very helpful. I'll do the pressure tests and see what's happening.

    I expect it's either the check valve or the accumulator (or both) and replacing either is an easy fix.

    Thanks again.
     
  12. lostbowl

    lostbowl Formula 3

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    #12 lostbowl, May 25, 2014
    Just for the sake of Knowledge, my 82 2V has never failed to start hot or cold but hot starting required more time on the starter. The engine has always run at 195 and this past winter for S&Gs I pulled the radiator and had it cleaned out. Now the engine runs at 180 and the cranking time while starting hot has been reduced to what I would call normal. I thought I would mention it since I haven't read of this before and the end result was a surprise to me. Lost
     

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