Issue - any help is appreciated

[connermt]

I'm new here so sorry if this isn't the right place but I'm at my wit's end - this is the only place I've been able to post anything - if possible mods please relocate to the proper location:

I have a 14 RS 6-speed 65K miles

At about 60K miles I've started experiencing a problem with it starting when the engine's hot (heat soak). When I try to start it, it has a slow crank for a couple of seconds and then starts up and runs fine.
Once the car sits for 45 minutes to about 5 hours seems to be the window where the problems happens. Before that time it doesn't seem to heat up enough and after that it seems to cool down enough to start fine.
Car has never thrown a code.
I have a trifecta basic tune, KnN filter only.
I've replaced the battery, purge valve solenoid, plugs and wires and have had a throttle body cleaning done.
I've had it to the dealer. They had it for 4-5 days and said nothings wrong other than a plastic bracket broken under the air intake that caused the engine to shake when started :blankface:
I've had it to a local shop twice and they have no idea what's wrong - they said will have to start replacing things until it's fixed.
Any thoughts, ideas or suggestions would be great.
Again, sorry if this is in the wrong place but I can't seem to post anything else anywhere on the forum at this time.

 

[ScarabEpic22]

I was going to say battery, but you already replaced it. I had to replace mine last year at 4 years.

Have you checked to see if there are any loose grounds, especially near the starter? If it only does it when warm, points to something heating up and not working properly. Starter going is another option, if you can get it tested I'd suggest doing that.

 

[TurtleOverlord]

Flash back to stock tune and verify that the problem still exists.

 

[connermt]

Flash back to stock tune and verify that the problem still exists.

I spoke with Trifecta. They said if it worked fine with tune for a while then started doing this, it wouldn't be the tune. At any rate, I've turned off the tune and it persisted.

 

[connermt]

I was going to say battery, but you already replaced it. I had to replace mine last year at 4 years.

Have you checked to see if there are any loose grounds, especially near the starter? If it only does it when warm, points to something heating up and not working properly. Starter going is another option, if you can get it tested I'd suggest doing that.

Starter and alternator is where I'm going next. Was thinking about replacing the temp regulator sensor too but I've already spent about $1000 on this and as I'm paying off my taxes I screwed up last year (first time ever) funds are limited for the next few months.:blankface:

 

[92dakota]

alternator.. easy test.. pull belt off see if it spins freely..

starter is prolly were its at I have had starters do that on a few vehicles, most recently was a dodge caliber , worst is pull it off and bring it down to napa or such and most time will bench test it..

 

[connermt]

alternator.. easy test.. pull belt off see if it spins freely..

starter is prolly were its at I have had starters do that on a few vehicles, most recently was a dodge caliber , worst is pull it off and bring it down to napa or such and most time will bench test it..

I'll have that checked as well as even with the new battery the lights do dim more than I'd expect when something like the AC is turned on....

Thanks for all the insights peps - keep 'em coming as this may be an ongoing battle in the coming weeks.

 

[connermt]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul41zfxBkJY&feature=youtu.be

Video here

 

[connermt]

Last week, while getting on it in 3rd gear, it would sputter once maybe twice, then be fine.
This afternoon, it sputtered about a dozen times - so hard it was difficult to drive. The CEL started flashing for about 1/3 of a mile, then went away and drove fine.
I dropped it off at the shop as I had an appointment already scheduled for this Friday. Last Friday they looked at it and said it was loosing fuel pressure on the fuel rail but wanted more time to look at it, thus the new appointment for this Friday.
So hopefully it will be fixed soon.

 

[connermt]

Had fuel pump replaced. Was told the engine bay heat vaporizes the fuel which, due to the valve being bad, caused the fuel to flow back into the tank. Then the starting had to pump fuel back up to the injectors. Paid $616. So far so good.