hard start problem giving me a headache

[FuryCharger]

ok, so Ive had that problem that seems pretty common where it takes about 5-10 seconds for the car to finally start up, when it does it gurgles a lil bit then it runs fine.

So I got a fuel pressure gauge and checked the fuel rail pressure, sure enough when I would turn the car off it would drop to 0 almost immediately. yea so i knew there was a problem. So I figured it was the fuel pressure regulator. I bought one, installed it and the pressure in the rail after replacement was still dropping to around 0. Only this time it dropped more slowly.

Where do I go from here, Ive spent $100 dollars so far on this stupid crap and have gotten no where. Maybe a fuel pump? Any suggestions would be great!

[CDNFB]

Re: hard start problem giving me a headache

I would put my money on leaking fuel injector(s). Get them pulled, cleaned and checked.

[FuryCharger]

Re: hard start problem giving me a headache

I am almost positive it isnt a leaky fuel injector.

The problem was there before i did my head/cam/intake mod which included 24lb/hr injectors.

The odd part is that i can hear the fuel pump prime when the key is in the on position, I am not sure whether or not that means its working or not.

My pressure gauge reads 42psi at idle and when the key is on it reads 20psi then drops to zero almost immediately.

Fuel pump is the only thing I can think of, I tried pulling the vacuum tube of the back of the regulator to check for fuel and none was present

[97rs4life]

Re: hard start problem giving me a headache

42psi at idle is where it should be.

can you get the car to start though and stay running?

[Black 98 Joe]

Re: hard start problem giving me a headache

Check your fuel pressure regulator. Pull the vacuum line, going to the FPR and look for fuel. On my car the fuel was leaking past the diaphram, through the vacuum line and back into the intake. So when I shut off the car, fuel pressure would drop to zero in 10 minutes. My car would run always run rough for 15 seconds after I started it. After new FPR it starts perfect.

[FuryCharger]

Re: hard start problem giving me a headache

I think already mentoined above that I just replaced my FPR because thats what I thought was bad, after I installed the new FPR the pressure in the lines would still drop to zero in like 15 seconds. real strange isnt it? there is no fuel coming out the vacuum line

The car runs though and i can hear the fuel pump buzz when i turn the car to on......Im not sure if that means its bad or good though, it was to be the fuel pump

any more help would be great

[vanbibber]

Re: hard start problem giving me a headache

you can always hear the fuel pump priming when you turn the car on. thats normal as far as i know.

[FuryCharger]

Re: hard start problem giving me a headache

So what do u guys think, I mean i dont wanna spend 120 on a new pump if i dont have to. is that a sign of a bad pump if the pressure drops to zero right away?

[CDNFB]

Re: hard start problem giving me a headache

I don't put much significance in the fact that your pressure bleeds down from 42 to 0, unless this leakage is so excessive that it affects the ability of the pump to develope pressure, or limits the pumps maximum output.

So what does your fuel pressure gauge read when you move the key from the OFF to the RUN position? How long does it take to go from 0 to 42 psi? If it takes a long time to build pressure, you may have found the reason for your starting problem. But if the pressure rises to 42 immediately I would say that your starting problem and your leakdown rate problem are two different issues.

[97rs4life]

Re: hard start problem giving me a headache

if you hear the buzz from the fuel pump then the pump is good yet. I couldn't here mine at all when my pump went out.

have you replaced the fuel filter recently at all?

[FuryCharger]

Re: hard start problem giving me a headache

The pressure is at like 20psi when i first put the key to the on position. I havent tried doing it multiple times to build pressure though, ill have to try that.....

But yea I cant think of what it could be.....injectors, FPR and pump which all seem to be working. I mite have to just take it in

[97rs4life]

Re: hard start problem giving me a headache

still don't see anywhere that you have changed the fuel filter recently...have u?

[CDNFB]

Re: hard start problem giving me a headache

Well, I would say that 20 psi is to low of a pressure for a proper start. You either have one heck of an internal leak somewhere, or you have restriction or blockage issues.

as previously asked, what about the fuel filter?

[FuryCharger]

Re: hard start problem giving me a headache

Fuel Filter was done in about January, I had it cheanged specifically to see if it would fix the problem and it didnt....So Im not sure where the loss in pressure is coming from, to my knowledge, the FPR is fine cause i just changed it, the pump is fine cause I can hear it working when the car is ON and the gauge reads a steady 42psi at idle and the filter and injectors are fine cause I replaced them within a year ago.

Should I just take it in?? I have no idea, i dont think I have any leaks anywhere

[97rs4life]

Re: hard start problem giving me a headache

maybe it isn't your fuel system, maybe it is spark related since it is only for start ups...so with that said, how old are your plugs/wires? My fuel psi goes somewhere around 20 I believe to when I first turn the key on until I start it or prime it some more. I will have to check out my psi some more tonight when I drive it