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96 Deville Hard Start / Smell of gas


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I'm new to Cadillacs with a 1996 Deville with about 100k on the clock. Lately it's been an unenthusiastic starter, taking 5 seconds or so of cranking to get the engine started. Once it starts, it runs smoothly and stays running.

Also, I've been getting an occasional smell of raw gasoline inside the car, usually at stoplights, but sometimes when I'm underway.

I took a look at the fuel rail while the car was running and saw nothing leaking/seeping. I pulled the vacuum line from the pressure regulator and nothing came out. I sniffed around the trunk in case there was something wrong with the filler tube, but got nothing.

The car has set no codes (other than pc0717 every couple of weeks.)

I haven't checked to see if this car had its fuel rail done because of the recall. I'll give the dealer a call soon and see if they'll look it up for me. I wonder if this sounds familiar to any of you.

Thanks,

Marcus

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When the car is difficult to start, is the engine warm or cold? That will provide a clue as to where to begin looking for the cause.

Remove the top cover of the engine and look at the fuel rail - it will be obvious if the recall was done - the new fuel rails are stainless steel and the original fuel rails have nylon tubing between the injectors.

Kevin
'93 Fleetwood Brougham
'05 Deville
'04 Deville
2013 Silverado Z71

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The new fuel rail is stainless steel, the old fuel rail has lots of rubber/nylon hoses.

If it does have the stainless fuel rail, you could gently lift it, turn the key to ON to pressurize the rail and look for leaky injectors

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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It's a stainless rail, alright. I'll try moving it a bit to see if I can spot anything leaking.

The car is almost always balky on a cold start. It's more of a toss-up when it's warm to hot.

I may have overstated the crank time some. I'm guessing 2 or 3 seconds is more like the average crank-time. It's way more, though, than the usual twist and release I was used to.

With the smell as strong as it is, I suspect it's just a matter of time before I spot the source. I'm smelling it stronger outside the car, and have thought once or twice that it seemed to be coming out from underneath. I haven't gotten under it yet to do some looking around.

I'll do my homework and report back.

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Test your fuel pressure with the key on, and with the engine running, have you changed your fuel filter?

Check the pipe that runs from the fuel FILLER to the tank under the wheel well, mine was rotted out, and we have seen many rot out, it will cause fuel smell

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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It's a stainless rail, alright. I'll try moving it a bit to see if I can spot anything leaking.

The car is almost always balky on a cold start. It's more of a toss-up when it's warm to hot.

I may have overstated the crank time some. I'm guessing 2 or 3 seconds is more like the average crank-time. It's way more, though, than the usual twist and release I was used to.

With the smell as strong as it is, I suspect it's just a matter of time before I spot the source. I'm smelling it stronger outside the car, and have thought once or twice that it seemed to be coming out from underneath. I haven't gotten under it yet to do some looking around.

I'll do my homework and report back.

2 seconds doesn't sound that excessive. Did you notice a sudden change in the length of time it takes to start the engine?

Kevin
'93 Fleetwood Brougham
'05 Deville
'04 Deville
2013 Silverado Z71

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BBF: You nailed the gas smell. My tubing is quite corroded under the left rear fender and that's where the smell is coming from.

On the balky start - yes, it's become much less enthusiastic about starting. Although for the past few days, it's been starting pretty well both hot and cold.

I'll do that fuel pressure test the next time I get some car time. My service manuals are on the way, so I'll look up the fuel filler tubing as well.

Thanks,

Marcus

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Glad to hear it, let us know how the starting issue goes

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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  • 4 weeks later...

Hi All - having the same problem w/ my 96 SLS - hard starting when hot and smell raw gas? Any help ?? Thanks

Hard starting when hot is usually the fuel pressure regulator, pull the vacuum hose off if it, and see if you smell fuel. Then leave the hose off and start the engine. Look for fuel spitting, then rev it a few times and look for fuel spitting. ANY fuel replace it...

While you are doing that look around for fuel leaks

Did you have the fuel rail replaced under the recall?, it should be a stainless steel fuel rail if it was replaced, take a look

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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