Is a head gasket leak causing my problems?

I have a 1994 ford probe gt. for long time now, at least 6 months, i've been having a starting problem with my car. When it hasn't been on in about 20 minutes, The engine doesn't start unless i pump the gas and takes about 3-5 seconds to start. However, it's always started for me after hundreds of times. most of the time, though, after sitting for more than 5 or 6 hours it will start immediately with no gas pedal input at all, likewise when its been only a few minutes since i turned it off. the first 5 seconds of so of idle can be quite rough (sometimes it does stall back out but if it does it usually fires right back up) but after that, the engine runs perfectly, idling, cruising, or flooring it.

I changed the fuel filter a while back to no avail and have changed spark plugs (wires were already like new). The engine does burn some oil (i add 1 or a little more quarts per oil change), but that is normal i suspect for a 16 year old car. The oil and coolant do not mix and there is not white smoke from the exhaust (when it's warm that is, obviously you can see exhaust when it's freezing). The car used to give off a bit of blue smoke on startup but i haven't noticed this since the end of last summer. There is some oil which seeps into the wells that the spark plugs sit in which i think might come from the head gaskets. Is it possible that the oil that seeps into the wells leaks through the spark plug threads and makes them not fire until the engine has turned over a bit? the plugs look fine when i take them out though (the insulator and the electrodes are nearly perfect but the outer ring where the threads end generally have some oil on it, some cylinders pool more oil in the wells than others) so i dont know how valid this is. or maybe oil just leaks right into the cylinder where it pools a little until the first couple seconds of turning over have cleared it? this problem has perplexed most of the people i've talked to. I'd like to fix it but i dont really want to change the gaskets. The problem really doesnt have a detrimental effect and i've become quite used to just pumping the gas a few times to start. but if it is something moderately simple to fix i'd love to clear it up.Is a head gasket leak causing my problems?Okay... To answer your oil pooling. The oil is coming from the camshaft rocker cover. Change that gasket; it is cheap and takes five minutes to fix (4-6 small bolts) and easy to get at.



Change the spark plug leads (they call them wires in the USA) and change the distributor cap, too, while you are about it. Just because they look good and clean does not mean a thing.



Best of luck.Is a head gasket leak causing my problems?Have you had it properly tuned up by a qualified mechanic.

Until you do don't be guessing

If there is a major concern he can tell you.

Go see your auto parts store and get yourself a Chiltons or Haynes repair manual for your vehicle.

It will help you answer and solve problems without having to guess.Is a head gasket leak causing my problems?You need to change the valve cover gaskets and it will stop that oil that is seaping through is getting the spark plugs and causing it to miss mire until it burns off that is why ts ruff on the start of your car. and the oil will only leak after its done workingcause the oil will be moveing inside so much it wont be able to leak. Now once it stops it will all leak out cause it will sit over the spot where it leaks and seep out down to your spark plug and you have to wait till burns off again. Now that is why you see little white smoke from the start of the car cause the oil that is in the cylinder is burning off and once burned all then runs perfect. take your car to change the valve cover gaskets or do it yourself it only cot like 20 bucks for the gaskets and like 200 for someone to do it.Is a head gasket leak causing my problems?The only thing pumping the gas does in a fuel injected car is exercise your leg. Trust me on that one, it has NO effect on what the engine is doing until the engine starts.

Change the wires because moisture and oil causes them to go bad.

You might want to clean your throttle body on the car that old.

But in complete seriousness, stop wasting time pumping the gas, you only think it is what gets it to start, it's not.