OK, I posted before and still haven't figured it out.

When the engine is cold it takes several tries to get it started, during the several tries it pops and smokes out the intake (not every time) then it will finally start up. It runs rich at first too.

After it is hot it will start up on the first turn every time.

I've checked the Fuel Pressure regulator and the Opti isn't that old. From what I have read in here when the opti goes it's dead.

Could it be the coil? What controls initial timing? My dad says that when it pops it turns backward like the timing is off. The car has 155,000 miles could it be the timing chain jumped a tooth? When the car is running it is strong all the way to redline!

Anybody got any ideas?

Thanks

 

You said you checked the FPR but did you check the fuel pressure. It sounds to me like you may have a leaky injector that is flooding a cylinder and causing a hard start. You need to check the fuel pressure when you shut the engine down. the pressure should hold for a good long time like 24 hours.

 

sounds like the coolant temp sensor.

 

finally figured it out, it was the MSD coil!!!

started fine hot, cold took 10 minutes to start, even changed opti and ing. module, finally tried coil fires right up now.


well now I know.