This morning my wife's Element with 81k on it would not start. Would try to crank but never rollover, I got in and gave it some gas and it came on just fine. Waited a few minutes and drove it around the block and got on it a little bit with no issues. Question is, how could I tell if it's the pump or the relay? and do I need to drop the tank to replace the pump?

 

A little clarification please, when you turn the ignition switch the engine cranks over but fails to start? Or the engine won't crank or cranks slow.

 

Engine Cranks but fails to start, until i gave it some gas then it started.

 

I know you said this issue just started today but can you determine if this happens when the engine is warm as well as cold? Once the cold engine started did it run rough or idle low? How much fuel is in the tank? Sorry for so many questions but there are alot of thing this could be.

 

Well it's about 54 here today so I can try again tonight but it's only getting to 46.
Once it did start it idled just fine and I even drove it around the block when it was cold and got on it a bit and it acted perfect and the tank is full

 

Did you try starting it after the engine is warmed up and at normal operating temp?

 

Let me go start it and warm it up and I'll let you know.

Edit: Warming up now

 

Started up without a hitch

 

If I did anything at this point (until you see if the issue happens again) I would replace the fuel filter, at 80k you are probaby due. It would be a little unusual for a fuel pump to give up this early in the rigs life.

 

You know I didn't think of that, good idea...
Thanks, any thing I should listen for if it could be the fp?
Maybe it not prime after sitting for awhile?

 

If you can hear the fuel pump in the cab it may be an indication the pump is on it's way out, as far as not primed after sitting for a while... it's possible I guess if it sat for a month or so.

 

Thank you very much, now I'll call around and see how much it would cost to replace it.

 

Pressing the gas petal doesnt give the engine gas....it opens the throttle body and gives it air. Its more of an air petal. Id be more concerned with if the mass airflow sensor is clean.

 

So the amount of fuel passing to the injectors doesn't change? by pressing the gas pedal the only thing you are changing is the amount of air going into the system? I guess I need to stop tracking mpg and start tracking miles to cubic feet of air. Maybe you mean it doesn't help to pump the gas while starting a fuel injected engine?

 

Any idea where the fuel filter is located on an 2006 Element?
Is it part of the fuel pump?

Edit: Yup it is.. fml