Forester starting issue

[SuperPoo]

Hi, our 2001 Forester recently developed cold start problem. It seemed that
if the temp got below 25° Fahrenheit and the car sat for at least 24hrs the
car was having trouble starting and would idle rough. So I installed a new
engine coolant sensor, all seemed well for a couple of weeks. However,
during that time, the temp really did not get down below 25° and I don't
think the car sat for any extend time or both never occurred at the same
time. I really did not pay attention because I thought the problem was
fixed. Anyhow, yesterday the car sat for over 24 hrs and the temp got down
to just about 25 and the car would not start for my wife. It cranked and
cranked with no hint of starting. She let it sit for a few minutes, tried it
again, it cranked and did not start-- she pressed the gas pedal a few times
and then turned the key again and it started right up and ran smooth. (It
seems the new ECT helped the idle.) The next morning, after the car had set
overnight (8 hrs ) and the temp was 17° -- the car started without
hesitation however I did smell gas after it started. So the problem is not
purely temperature related, 8 hrs is more than enough time to chill
everything at 17°, it definitely has a time component to it. The only other
issue has been the check engine light has come on twice in the past few
weeks, I borrowed a code scanner and the car is reporting p0442-- EVAP
emission control system leak (small) . Looking around google I can't find
any info that links that code to starting issues or any performance issues
for that matter. Any ideas? Thanks

Steve

 

[Todd H.]

I did smell gas after it started.

There's been a lot of traffic here lately with folks smelling gasoline
in cold weather, and pointing to fuse hoses leaking and needing
tightening down. groups.google.com on this newsgroup and you'll
see.

Not sure if that's the only issue, but certainly a place to start.
Loose hose clamps or cracked hoses would be consistent with that code
too, I think.

 

[Steve Parker]

SuperPoo,
Have you had any service done lately? I am wondering if someone knocked
a hose off near the evap. canister.
Sparky

wrote:

 

[SuperPoo]

SuperPoo,
Have you had any service done lately? I am wondering if someone knocked a
hose off near the evap. canister.
Sparky

Just an oil change. I can see a hose off causing the check engine light but
I think the check engine light is a red herring in respect to the starting
issue.

Steve

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Just an oil change. I can see a hose off causing the check engine light but
I think the check engine light is a red herring in respect to the starting
issue.

Steve

I forget the code one gets when the gas cap is not tightened enough
after fill-up, but it will set the CEL.

Seems to me, one starting scenario you mentioned was a flooding
condition and , maybe, when the gas pedal was depressed (to the floor
IIRC) it set the ECU into a 'clear flood' mode.

I dunno

Carl