Needs gas at start up

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Pianohawk

I got a tune up six months ago (change of oil, new filters, spark plugs). The check engine light comes on sporadically with a secondary air system error (O2 censor) but I had the replaced a while ago. The mechanic said everything checked out fine and that perhaps the CEL is a result of a CPU/electrical problem. So, I'm not sure if he's right or if he simply did poor work.

I'd be happy to get my hands on a service manual so I could inspect the fuel lines, sensors, plugs, and filter myself.

Any other suggestions besides the standard tune up?

thanks,
Colby

Are you sure he changed the fuel filter and not just the oil and air filter? How many miles on your 99 Boxster? How long has it been doing this? Do you always have to pump the gas to get it to start or is that sporadic? It starting while you push on the gas may just be a coincidence. Does the battery seem strong and always spin the starter at a decent speed? The 2ndary air pump issues shouldn't be the cause of the non-start issue. You might be better off taking it to a qualfied tech to diagnose unless you have the time and know how to test all kinds of parts yourself. You could perhaps throw a lot of parts and money at it unneccesarily if you're not careful. It could be a bad fuel injector/s, pump, bad ECU, coil, cloggged line ect ect. First thing I would do is isolate the issue and make sure it is lack of fuel and not spark causing the non start problem.