Originally Posted by mr.haney

First off i'd like to say HI as this is my first post i have done a lot of reading and joined the other day but now need a little help.
I have a 2003 se that over the last six months has been getting harder to start by that i mean it cranks most the time about 8 to 10 seconds before it starts not all the the time but most of the time its pretty consitant. i read a few threads on what it might be so heres what i did so far. Replaced the fuel filter, air filter,and cam position sensor. I just checked the fuel pressure with a gauge and when i just turn the key on and don't sart it it jumps up to about 56 psi but then drops off immediataly down to nothing with in a matter of seconds.If i leave the gauge hooked up and run the engine it reads 48psi and does the same as far as dropping off as soon as i turn the engine off.From what i have read on here it seems like it should hold pressure. so my question is should it hold pressure when the key and engine are turned off. And if it dosent could this be my problem with hard starting and what do i need to do to repair the problem
Thanks Haney

Originally Posted by jsharos442

This sounds like your fuel pressure regulator - it causes the pressure to drop, an extended crank condition and sometimes rough idle. Easy to check, unplug the vacuum line at the regulator and see if there is fuel. If there is it'* bad, but - install a vacuum pump to regulator and see if it holds, there is an internal diaphragm that usually fails. There could be a lwaking injector like one of the other guys mentioned, test the regulator 1st as this is easy.