What Causes Intermittent Starting Issues in the Buick Excelle?

[Sam]

Generally, this is due to severe carbon buildup on the valves or intake manifold. Domestic gasoline inherently contains high levels of gum, which, when combusted along with the fuel, leads to significant carbon deposits in various components of the fuel supply system, such as the fuel injectors, engine combustion chamber, piston ring grooves, spark plugs, back of intake valves, and intake passages. Additionally, unburned fuel that continuously evaporates and oxidizes can also generate substantial carbon deposits. More relevant details are as follows: 1. Cold Start Fuel Injector: The gasoline sprayed by the cold start injector can be largely absorbed by carbon deposits, resulting in an overly lean air-fuel mixture during cold starts. This makes starting difficult until the carbon deposits become saturated with absorbed gasoline, after which the engine starts more easily. Once started, the gasoline adsorbed on the carbon deposits is drawn into the combustion chamber by the engine's vacuum, enriching the air-fuel mixture and causing the engine's combustible mixture to fluctuate between lean and rich. This leads to rough idling after a cold start. Since lower temperatures require more fuel for cold starts, the presence of carbon deposits significantly impacts the success of cold starts. 2. Mosheng Carbon Cleaner: Mosheng Carbon Cleaner thoroughly cleans gasoline and diesel engines (including turbocharged engines), removing carbon deposits, coking, gum, and other contaminants from the combustion chamber, spark plugs, fuel injectors, piston tops, and cylinder-piston assembly surfaces. Benefits include reduced oil consumption, increased engine power, balanced cylinder pressure, lower engine noise, elimination of piston overheating risks due to decreased thermal conductivity, and reduced CO emissions from the engine.

[StJade]

My Buick Excelle had a similar issue before, where sometimes it would start normally and other times there would be no response at all. Later, I found out it was caused by battery aging, especially when the weather was cold, the insufficient voltage became more apparent. There was also slight corrosion on the wire terminals, leading to poor contact that would work with a slight touch. I suggest you first check the battery life; if it's been over three years, it's time for a replacement. Another common cause is a faulty starter motor relay, where the internal contacts have oxidized, requiring a professional to disassemble, clean, or replace it. Spark plug carbon buildup or ignition coil issues can also occasionally prevent the engine from firing. Regular maintenance should include cleaning the battery terminals and wires, which can prevent a lot of headaches.

[ColeRose]

As someone who frequently deals with such issues, intermittent starting failures in the Buick Excelle are quite common. The most frequent culprit is minor problems with the starter motor itself, such as a faulty relay or worn brushes causing intermittent operation. An unstable fuel pump relay can also cause this, especially in older vehicles, leading to insufficient fuel supply and failure to ignite. It's advisable to use an OBD scanner to check for trouble codes, which can quickly pinpoint the issue. Sensors like a dirty or faulty crankshaft position sensor are also common offenders—cleaning them might provide a temporary fix. Don't overlook basic checks like blown fuses, but getting a professional diagnosis is more reliable.

[McEmiliano]

Having driven for many years, I've encountered intermittent starting issues with the Excelle multiple times. Most of the time, it's due to low battery voltage or loose wiring connections—just jiggling the connectors can fix it. However, deeper issues like fuel line blockages, such as a clogged fuel filter causing insufficient fuel pressure, could be the culprit. These problems tend to flare up more during significant weather changes. A simple self-check method: listen during startup—if you hear a 'clicking' sound but the engine doesn't turn over, it might indicate an ignition system defect. Get it checked early at a shop to prevent minor issues from escalating.