OK, I thought I narrowed the hard starting deal down to the problem being the fuel pressure regulator. Before, it would take a long time to start after sitting for more than 30 min. I went ahead and ordered a cheap adjustable fuel pressure regulator from Napa and just got done installing it on my car. Well, it is still hard starting. I already have a new fuel pump and a new regulator so what should I do now??? Could it be leaky injectors? If so, how do I check them? It it is them that is bad then do I just replace the o-rings????

 

OK, I just got done hooking up a fuel pressure gauge to the car and came up with these conclusions:

I hooked up the gauge and got a reading of 0
Turned the key on gauge jumped to 30 then I heard a click and it fell back down to 0
Turned the key off then on again and gauge jumped to 42, click, fell back to 0
Tried starting the car and nothing, then after a few seconds of cranking the gauge jumped to 42 and as soon as it did the car started.
Turned on the car, gauge feel to zero

I did all this with the vaccum cap on. Should I try it again with the cap off???

I have a Walbro 255 LPH pump in the car that has been in it for about a little over a year. The car has always been hard starting ever since I bought it.

 

sounds like the check ball in the pump is bad, or there is a leak in the line between the pump and the sender top(inside the tank)

 

which line are you talking about??? i remember that when we put the pump in there was a line that we had to cobblefu** together to get it to go on. luckily i have a trap door installed so i can easily take the pump out.

would it really be the pump even though its not that old???

tomorrow i am going to check the injectors, check the fuel pump relay, and then take out the pump and check to see if there is anywhere a line can leak between the pump and the sender top.

 

stupid question, but, where is the fuel pump relay?? I havent done anything today yet because I have been riding the harley but I am about ready to go outside and start on it now.

 

under the dead pedal



http://shbox.com/1/fuel_pump_relay.jpg

 

I'm having the exact same problem as you. Had a hard start problem since i bought the car, replaced fuel filter and put in a walbro 255 pump back in October and it still starts hard. I find it hard to believe that its the pump because after the brand new pump it didnt change a thing. i havent replaced my fpr yet though, goodluck and if you have any breakthroughs please let me know...I'll do the same.

 

Thanks Dave.

cas0484- yeah I find it hard to believe that its the pump too. I am going to go ahead and replace the injectors because I am about ready to put nitrous back on the car again and last time I had a backfire because I was running lean. I figure with bigger injectors (24lbs) and a adj fuel regulator , with a tune I can taylor my A/F ration so it wont happen again. I am goign to go outside and check the fuel pump relay because a couple of people said it might be that. I turn the key and I can hear the pump start up then I hear a click and the pump shuts off. Hopefully its the relay because that's an easy 20 dollar fix.

 

I seriously doubt it's injectors. If the pressure is droping as quickly as you indicate, then you ought to have a cylinder filled with fuel pretty quick. I vote for the pump and/or an installation problem with the pump.

 

This is how the system is SUPPOSED to work. You turn the key on, the pcm energizes the pump relay for two seconds, then deenergizes the relay. The system should hold residual pressure for at least 30min, but there may be SOME drop with no ill effects. Sounds like yours is dropping like a rock after the prime.

 

Yeah if it drops that fast it's usually the pump or a leak. If you want to test the injectors, though, all you have to do is pull the rail off while it's still connected and energize the fuel system. If any are dripping then they're leakers.

 

well i just got back inside and its not the relay or injectors. all indications point to the pump but wouldnt my car run like crap if it was the pump? I mean, it doesnt putter, stall or do anything. after it gets running it runs like a champ, but starting it is another thing. where would the leak be at???? I am getting frustrated with this damn car. would the leak be inbetween the pump and the sending unit on top of the tank. if so, how will i know where the leak is and is there a way to check my pump???

 

No, the car could still run fine. Just because the internal check valve may have failed, doesn't mean that the pump still can't produce sufficient pressure and volume. If you have a section of rubber line anywhere on the pressure side, you can pinch it off just after the pump primes and see if it holds residual pressure. The only problem is that you probably don't have any rubber section to pinch and I wouldn't recomend pinching th plastic line.