I have a 97 SE 3800 normally aspirated with 162K on the vehicle. 73K on the engine. Replaced LIM and plenum gasket, plugs, orings on injectors and PCV valve about 3k ago. Everything fine until about a week ago. Car has always started on 1st try. Lately 1st try doesn't work. 2nd try almost always works and car runs fine. Any subsequent restarts in the next 30-60 minutes will start immediately on the 1st try.

Found a cracked vacuum elbow at the fuel pressure regulator so I replaced it. Didn't help. No sign of fuel in the elbow.

Don't know for sure how old the fuel filter is but seems like if this was the problem the restarts would be a problem also.

Any suggestions are very much appreciated.

John

you should still change the fule filter. beings you dont know how old it is. not saying thats your key problem but it could be

Changed the fuel filter. Still hard to start 1st time. Seems like the fuel pump is a little louder now. Will check the fuel pressure next. How long after a start will the fuel pressure hold?

Thanks for the help,

John

Should go up to about 45 PSI at the purge and hold about there when running.

Todays update. Checked the fuel pressure today. Turn on the key and pressure goes up to 42 psi. Then the fuel pump sounds like it shuts off and the pressure drops to zero. Hard to start and then when it does the pressure stays at 42 psi. Is it normal for the fuel pump to turn off. Do I need to be checking a relay? Any suggestions are appreciated.

John

Wont hurt to check the relay. Do you have a VATs on your car? Try cleaning the chip on the key.

the pressure should hold at 42 with the key off for quite some time, i would check your fuel pressure regulator

Attached gauge and started the car. Pressure at 42. Removed vacuum line on pressure regulator and it jumped to about 50. Reconnected vacuum line and ran up the RPM and went to about 50. Turned engine off and went to 0.

Still scratching my head. Haven't checked the relay yet.

hmm thats odd that it drops to zero after the motor is shut off. its normal in mine that the fule pump shuts off after a few seconds.

Today'* update. Pulled the fuel pressure regulator. Reasonable amount of crystalline looking material. Cleaned it out. Orings look like they are a little stiff and doesn't seem like the fit is very tight. After restart had a couple of instances that it held pressure after engine was turned off, but seems like the exception not the rule. Going to get a new regulator and see if that does the trick. I'll let you know what I find out.