Aveo early morning starting trouble

[gtdawg]

So I took the Aveo to the dealer for an issue I have with the car starting in the morning. It cranks fine but would be starved for gas for a second after turning on it's own. It almost stalls at this point but usually comes back to life.

The dealer said it was a bad battery and charged me $70 for that diagnosis. I went to O'reilly and replaced the battery for $100 and the problem persisted. Took it back and this time they actually looked at the car </sarcasm>. They were able to verify the problem on startup and narrowed it down to fuel pressure bleeding out of the fuel pump overnight.

They have ordered the fuel pump under powertrain warranty and refunded my $70. It gets replaced this coming Tuesday and I'm quite sure that will fix it.

Just wanted to put it out there in case anyone else runs into the same symptoms.

-gt

[Debbie]

My 2005 Aveo won't start in the morning until I "pump" the gas and crank it several times. After I get going, it will start fine the next time and for the rest of the day. To me this sounded, at first, like a fuel pump. But I also noticed that it is seeping small amounts of oil. I looked around on the web and it looks like others with the 04 to 05 Aveos have the same types of issues. A TSB was issued stating that the problem is "poor engine valve sealing". Others have reported that replacing the head gasket was the solution to the problem. My question is whether the "poor engine valve sealing" and the head gasket issue are the same thing?

Thank you for your help!

[petrified.rabbit]

that tsb would result in a loss of compression. not a solution that can be fixed with pumping the gas. it would run worse through the day.

the valves and head gasket are two different things, but you need to do the head gasket to fix the valve issue.

where is your engine seeping oil?

[Debbie]

It looks like it's coming from the gasket. It's at the mechanic right now. I just wanted to be educated about it because I am not familiar with this mechanic.

[petrified.rabbit]

its more likely the valve cover gasket than the head gasket but you cat rule either out, oil is a weird liquid, as it creeps. and doesnt just run down the block like water would..

which side of the block is it? if its already at the mechanic its too late to help you find it yourself, but let us know his diagnosis.

[Debbie]

So I took it to the mechanic yesterday, he changed the spark plugs. However, it still did not want to start this morning. It finally did after cranking it for a while and then I had to hold my foot on the gas or else it would stall. Then it died 3 times on the way to work. Once it is warm it's fine. I am going to my parents house next weekend and my dad may be able to fix it if we can figure out what the deal is. Any suggestions are much appreciated.

[rodo]

However, it still did not want to start this morning. It finally did after cranking it for a while and then I had to hold my foot on the gas or else it would stall. Then it died 3 times on the way to work. Once it is warm it's fine.

If your car had a carb, I'd suggest checking the choke. It really does sound like you're not getting the rich fuel mix needed while the engine is cold. Did the mechanic find (or even scan for) any codes? Unless the box itself is bad, there could be a bad sensor keeping the injection system from compensating for cold start. Would be worth a trip to Autozone or other parts house that will read stored codes as a courtesy to see if the system is saying anything.

[petrified.rabbit]

there was a idle relearn procedure for cold starts posted here somewhere once. I say trying that?

how long does it take for the idle problem to go away after it starts?

How long does it take for the car to start?