Sounds exactly like mine. I went out this morning to test a theory. I opened the pressure relief valve, and lo and behold, no pressure there. Turned on the key, and after 30 seconds a little gas shot out, but didn't seem to be under much pressure.

Turned the key off again, and then back on, sat for about 30-45 seconds, and she fired right up. Still sound like the Regulator?

If so, what are delivery times from gmparts direct like?

[quote="MOS95BIf so, what are delivery times from gmparts direct like?[/quote]

Website said they had part in stock so I ordered. Still no tracking info after 3 days so I emailed them. They said part was not in stock but had been ordered & would be mailed soon.

Long story short, took 10 days.

Your mileage may differ.

10-14 days for the special ordered parts.

MOS95B, it sure does sound like the regulator, i would be awful surprised if was not! Judging by the service manager'* quick answer when i went in and talked to him about my hard start, I would say its not uncommon in the 3800.

Before i fixed it, I had the problem further confused by an engine stall while driving during the same time as the hard starts... with the stall, she would just shut off, sometimes on the highway which was pretty scary, and it not start back up in neutral. The car would then start back up a few minutes later. I don't usually like to pay the dealer repair prices, but on a safety problem like this, i wanted it fixed right & took it to Pontiac, they determined it was the crank sensor. Anyway, i assumed both problems were connected to it. Well i got the car back and there was the hard start still, but the engine stall was gone! That was when i called him explaining the hard start and he said try a regulator... it worked! BTW, I also had the dreaded upper manifold problem about 20k ago, now im thinking about the 180 stat. Is the replacement upper from Pontiac reinforced or redesigned? anyone know?

let us know how it goes with your hard start!

Hey srgetz. Just pulled this thread up to get the part number to order the Regulator because we just got our first frost. Time to make sure she starts because I'm a freeze baby and like a nice warm car. I'll let y'all know in a couple weeks how it turns out.

Well, forty-one and a quarter later, and the part is on its way.

And so are these...

UPS Tracking:
Should get 'em on Friday! Woo Hoo!!

Well, it took 3 days to get here, but it was worth the wait. Starts first time, everytime so far! A great big "Woo Hoo" and a heartfelt "Thank You" to the club once again!

Bring it on Jack Frost! I'm ready for ya!!

Awesome! Glad that helped!

One tip for anyone else that may need to do this, though. Buy the pliers made for those clip rings. It'* pretty hard to get the thing in it'* place with a pair of screwdrivers!! That was the hardest part of the job!!