Fuel Regulator Leaking
 

Hi,

I tried to start my 02 Grand Prix this morning after our nice -25 weather. It would crank over but wouldn't start. The previous days of -10 it started, but barely. Not that it's warmed up to 0, it cranks over faster and hits more often but still won't start. Exhaust was sooty (like it was trying to roll coal) and rich. I left the hood open for a few minutes and snow blanketed everything. I noticed the snow that landed on the fuel regulator turned yellow and looking closer at it, it seems the regulator is leaking just a little fuel. Would this cause the car to not want to start at all?

Thanks,
Pat

Replace the regulator.

A leaking FPR should be replaced immediately.The intake in worse case scenarios can go kerr boom and blow a hole in the intake if plastic.
Get it replaced now.

A dead give away for a bad regulator is, if leaking a little, will start ok COLD(because you want a rich mixture on cold starts), but have hard starts after the engine is warm(want a leaner mix, not rich).......if leaking really bad, hard start hot or cold.....

Simple test is remove the vac line to it, and smell for gas.......

Very easy to replace.......release pressure(by pressing schraeder valve in fuel rail...have a rag to absorb it)......remove the the Clip on top, and pull out....check to make sure the small o-ring does not stay in the bottom of housing......apply petroleum jelly to new o-rings, install reg, and then install clip......takes about a minute with a snap ring tool....

It could be that the fuel pressure regulator is shot and letting fuel straight into the intake causing some extra flooding. Either way, replace the FPR. If you get it started etc. regardless of the weather or the actual problem it's a dangerous to continue with a bad FPR on these things.

So, replaced FPR. Old one did have gunk around the inside. Wiped out the cylinder and made sure to fish out the old oring.

Cycled the key about 4 times before trying to start. When cranking, it keeps trying to fire but won't ever start. I don't really have a way to measure fuel pressure, but it squirts fuel when pushing the Schrader valve under the FPR. It also held pressure for 24 hours. I did let it sit for a few hours without pressure before removing the old FPR.

What else can I do?

Nevermind! Held down the gas pedal a little while starting. I knew it might have been trying to start a little rich and that did it.

So it starts every time now?

Got it to idle temp and shut it off for a minute. Started right up after. I'll see if it starts cold in the morning without issue.

May have to clean throttle plate and bore....might as well, do IAC pintle while in there...