A girl in my squad is having problems with her 2001 Elantra. When she tries to start it when it's cold, it chokes and sputters and doesn't want to start. Once it's warmed up there is no more problem. The guys down at Aloha Hyundai/Kia have been giving her the run around for over a week.

The car has ~30K miles on it. Has had regular maintenance (oil changes and tire rotations, at least) and was working just fine two weeks ago. Any clues?

Sorry for the non-subby question, just trying to help out a friend. I tried to find both a Hyundai club and a Tiburon club but there are none in English... my korean is not good enough for car-related questions.

-Greg

 

Ask her the last time the plugs were changed. It would be sorta odd for them to foul with <30k on them, but they might be fouled or out of gap.

When Sean comes on, you'll probably get the best answer.

Pat

 

I used to own a 97 Tiburon FX . Those engines love boost.

Anyway

www.hyundaiaftermarket.com
www.hyundaiperformance.com

Random from Hyundaiaftermarket is one knowledgable person. He could probably answer your question.

 

What does the Hyundai routine maintenance include?

Symptoms sound like she needs a tune-up. She may want to try some fuel injector cleaner, it couldn't hurt plus its cheap. Check the plugs and timing also.

 

Have them keep the car overnight them have them try to start it when it's cold so they can experience the problem. Maybe when you give it to them, they see no problem since it's warmed up. Hence the run a round.

 

CARS WITH A LEAKY INJECTOR HAS SIMILAR SYMPTOMS- FUEL
LEAKS IN TO THE CYL. SLOWLY. WHEN RESTARTED- THAT SYMPTOM
APPEARS- HAVE THEM CHECK THE RESIDUAL FUEL PRESSURE., THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR CAN ALSO CAUSE THIS CONDITION (RUPTURED DIAPHRAM)- BUT ITS LEAST LIKELY SINCED THE CAR RUNS FINE WHEN WARMED-UP. IM NOT TOO FAMILIAR WITH THESE CARS BUT HAVE HER RETURN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. OR TRADE IT IN FOR A SUBARU.

 

I would put my best guess on the TPS. i had a prob in my FX that in cold starts, it stays at around 3.2k rpm idle. my second guess will be the plugs. i would go for a full tune up first and see if it solves the problem. if not, check the plug wires. they're notorious for not lasting long. and lastly, check on the idle screw. thats all i can think of now

 

Thanks for all the input. They've kept it overnight for about a week trying to re-create the same sitch that caused the problem. So far they've also mentioned plug wires. I'm going to make a copy of this post and when she goes in on Thursday, I'll go with her and talk to the guys at Hyundai. You guys are great.

-Greg

 

She went to Hyundai today, and they couldn't diagnose the problem so she picked up her car. At least she didn't get charged anything. Other thoughts that people have had included the wires, and possibly the battery.

I'm going to have her run some fuel injector cleaner through it, and maybe change out the plug wires.

What else goes on in a tune up that novice wrench turners like myself could do?

I know that she's got new oil and new air filter. I'll check the plugs, but what other stuff can I do?

Thanks.

-Greg

 

new OIL filter too? those can cause problems like you described.

 

what's this girl look like???

 

Yes, I put a new oil filter in.

The girl looks married to an overprotective-Marine.

Actually, she's a nice corn-fed girl from North Caka-lackey. Kind disposition, a good heart, and HUGE TRACTS OF LAND!

-Greg

 

hahahaha!
Sean lets go clubbing one of these nights- we may snag something..hahahaha! put the batmobile aside and take our GIXERS instead!!!-(hows that porno sound goes again- Dan?)

 

right on!!!
go out tomorrow night with us!! for J's B-day!!