Engine quits working

I have a 1995 Hyundai Sonata 6 cyl - it started where the engine would
intermittently turn over but not start. If I left it for a couple of
minutes it would then turn over and start. Recently it has been
taking the car at least 30-45 minutes for the engine to cool down
before the car will start. It turns over like its going to start, but
it doesn’t get that final firing up.

I asked the dealership the cause and he said he had never heard of the
problem before. Anyone have any ideas? Hopefully will be a ’cheap’
fix - car’s not worth couple of hundred dollars. I must say though -
bought this car for $1,800 2 years ago, have put 45,000 miles on it
and it’s the first mechanical thing that has gone wrong with it!! It
now has 124,000 on it!!

 

Since you say you must wait for the car to cool down, I presume it stops
running when you're driving.

If it stops running all the sudden, you're probably looking at an issue
with the distributor. There's an optical sensor in the distributor which
serves as the cam/crank sensor.

If it gradually loses power, sputters, and eventually won't run, you're
probably looking at a fuel pump problem. When they're worn, they begin to
overheat and won't pump properly. Keeping a full tank of gas often
minimizes this problem because the gas cools the pump.

 

First of all let me say that I'm not familiar with your '95 6 cyl
engine.

I had a similar condition with my son's Hyundai Scoupe and it turned
out to be a $16 coolant temp sensor.

http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.autos.hyundai/browse_thread/thre
ad/6fa7d9e74c17cb23/ff96a8fe8ee4ab5d?q=sensor+scoupe&rnum=11&hl=en#ff96a
8fe8ee4ab5d

 

I don’t loose power once I’m up and running - it’s too weird. I took
it to another trusted mechanic yesterday and he tested EVERYTHING and
found that it was running at 50 psi (fuel) instead of 39psi. Once we
got it up and running and waited until it heated up before we turned
it off again, he popped the fuel line to relieve the pressure and
voila it started first time each time. He said he was 98% certain it
was the fuel pressure regulator (a $60 part). He ordered it and will
install Saturday when it comes in.

 

I also got a check engine light and when tested it is the coolent temp
sensor. Maybe I need to get this changed out to?

 

You probably do need to replace the coolant temp sensor. Also check to be
sure there are good wire connections at the sensor and that the thermostat
opens and closes properly.

 

Is this something I can change out myself or do I need a mechanic?

 

You can change this yourself. It's a sensor that screws into the
thermostat housing. It'll be the one with two pins for the connector that
attaches to it.