Happens every time, crank 5 to 6 seconds 2 or 3 tries before it catches. Then runs GREAT.

I did major tuneup (plugs, cap, rotor, wires)

Fuel pump & filter are about 1 year old,

2.9 v6 fi don't know the miles but at least 60 - 75 k (replacement engine)

IAC valve cleaned & it does move - I tested while unbolted from plenum, found 1 vac leak on a/c tubing & fixed same , it starts a little better but still not right.

I have a Haynes (not much help) but no factory service book.

koeo codes are 11/10/11 which means no bad codes.


Any help? Thanks

Fuel pressure regulator?

I will test fuel pressure at schrader next

 

As part of your fuel pressure test, do a leakdown test to see if the fuel rail is holding pressure, or losing pressure as it sits.

 

Thanks, yes, I was thinking that. How do you do it? Just watch the gauge for x number of minutes? See how many psi it drops?


I'm new to this but an eager learner I love being able to fix stuff myself

 

Exactly. Spec is <2 psi over ~3 minutes.

 

Thanks!


Will post results - probably tomorrow

 

Hi,


I did a fuel pressure test as follows.

Turned on the key listened, fuel pump runs 2 secs & shuts off, each & every time. I assume the pump shuts off when it senses a certain pressure so that means it's pressurized to either the filter or the regulator, right?

The fp gauge read dead zero the first few times, but I'm thinking because it's a brand new fp gauge that the gauge was sticking at zero.

I bled off the "zero" pressure a couple of times and then the fp gauge started to register.

It would run up to about 30 psi each time I cycled the key(fuel pump) and bled off the pressure.

I didn't do the bleed down yet.

I took a chance & hit the starter & it caught & ran instantly

So I'm 100% sure it's fuel related & I'd say most likely the fp regulator is just on it's last legs. Just not holding good pressure on the rail for startup. I'll do a bleed down b4 I install the new one. As I said before the filter & pump are pretty new - maybe 5000 miles on em and it runs great once it's started

It's the kind with a vac connection and I got a new one at napa $80. yikes!

I'll put it on tomorrow & post more.

Sound like fp reg. to you?

Thanks.

I guess if I put in the new fp reg & it's still hard starting it would have to be the filter or fuel pump. I hope it's not the pump - it's a pain to drop the tank to swap it out

 

Bad FPR is only one possibility. A bad FPR would be better indicated if you could hear the fuel being returned to the tank at low pressure conditions.
To clarify another misconception: when the pump runs then shuts off when you first turn the key on, it's shuts off based on time (computer is programmed to run the pump for a few seconds) rather than pressure. On this engine, the computer doesn't monitor fuel pressure.
Best advice I could give: Go here (http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...3d800f917c.jsp). At the bottom of this page is a diagnostic tree for fuel system problems (there's also a statement that you need a scanner to test the fuel pressure, which is blatantly false). It will provide you with a systematic way to diagnose your problem. A few key points you will find:
1) how to control when the fuel pumps run.
2) fuel pressure specifications
3) how to tell if the FPR is bad.

 

Thanks Mr. S.


I guess the brain could be telling the pump to shut off too quick! I will go to the link & follow the procedure. I'd hate to put that fpr on & still have the problem

 

I found it but can't read it I tried printing at different magnifications too but the quality goes bad. Any way I can find a copy that's legible?

Thank's.

 

I guess I assumed everyone would know this, but if you left click on teh images on that page, thye open up in a new window at a scale that can be easily read.
And all of the info there is straight out of Chiltons, so if you have a print manual, you should be able to find it.

 

Got it, thanks

 

I continue the diagnosis. The fuel pressure peaks at 34 psi which is 6 less than the spec. in the Haynes book (40 psi koeo).

To get the 34 psi I have to cycle the fuel pump about 8 times (key off to on eight times)

Once I have the 34 psi it holds that pressure for 5 or more minutes no drop at all.

Can I therefore conclude that the regulator and injectors are ok - no pressure drop.

This vehicle has plastic fuel lines cased in rubber cover. At the regulator there is a short jumper of plastic hose about 4 inches long. It is kinked a bit. The replacement fpr has a replacement 4 inch rubber hose w/ hose clamps.

I was thinking of just replacing the kinked plastic hose to see if that is a restriction causing the difficulty getting initial fuel pressure.

Of course there could be a restriction anywhere from the tank to the filter to the regulator. I visually inspected the lines & they look ok.

What do you think at this point? Restriction somewhere - not a complete blockage of course - because it runs well once started.

Thanks.

 

More info - When I get the press to 34 & start it it drops to 30 psi a 4 psi drop - I think this is ok/normal. I jazzed the accel & it stays more or less at 30 - I did not drive it under load. I'll replace the 4inch kink tomorrow & post more. Hopefully success


Your guidance is MUCH APPRECIATED Mr. S. Thanks!

 

I believe it's fixed, I'll be sure if it starts well for a few days in a row. It was the short plastic hose just before the fp regulator (pressure side) that had a kink or restriction in it. I'll try & post a couple of pics. From a zero fuel pressure (bleed off with fp gauge) I get about 5 to 8 psi of pressure on the first key turn - first elec. fuel pump cycle. Not 40 psi but a heck of a lot better than having to cycle 8 time to see the gauge move!


So, it'll start on that first turn of the key now, it still cranks about 3 or 4 secs, but it is an older engine

Thanks again Mr. S. At the least you saved me replacing a perfectly good fuel pressure regulator @ close to $100. I don't feel too bad about the major tune up as it needed that anyway

I guess you have to have hosted images to post them to this forum, so no pics, sorry. I hope I've described this problem in enough detail so that it helps someone else

 

Replaced fpr & I thought it was fixed. I was getting 40 psi press on 1 turn of the key. Sat for a couple of hours & went to start & zero pressure again. I Pulled the pressure line off the fpr & turned the key expecting to see gas go shooting out of the line & zero. So I'm working my way back to the tank. Pump runs & is only about a year old. Filter is also about a year old. I'll take the line off at the inline filter tomorow & see if I get a squirt there. I hope it's the filter but a complete blockage seems more like the line is blocked or collapsed somewhere. I bet that line is not cheap