A hard starting condition is annoying but might not bring a customer into the shop right away. They shouldn’t put it off since it could have a simple solution with the proper diagnostics. Follow this Real Fix to see how a hard starting Mazda 6i was diagnosed and what component was causing the issue.
Vehicle
2007 Mazda 6i 2.3L
Title
Hard start, replaced evap purge solenoid valve.
Complaint
The customer states the engine is hard to start. The customer also states the check engine light is on.
Cause
Confirmed the customer’s complaint and found the engine was hard to start. Connected a scan tool and found codes: P0455 – Evaporative Emission System Leak Detected (Large Leak) and P2187 – System Too Lean at Idle (Bank 1). With the scan tool connected to monitor live data, engine at idle found the oxygen sensor (B1-S1) parameter was below 450 mV. Inspected the evaporative emission (EVAP) system, but found no concerns. Inspected the EVAP purge solenoid valve wiring and connections and found no apparent faults. Used the scan tool to command the EVAP purge solenoid valve open and closed while back-probing the EVAP valve connector with a multi-meter and found the 12 Volt supply and less than 100 mV ground were present. Disconnected a vacuum line from the EVAP purge solenoid valve and connected a vacuum pump to the EVAP purge solenoid valve. Applied vacuum and found the EVAP purge solenoid valve did not hold the specified vacuum regardless of the command open or closed with the scan tool. These test results verified the EVAP purge solenoid valve was faulty.
Correction
Replaced the EVAP purge solenoid valve, cleared codes, performed a road test and verified the vehicle operated properly. The check engine light did not illuminate and no fault codes returned.