My 92 camaro with a 305 starts instantly when restarting after it has been running. When it has been off for hours or overnight it takes about 10 seconds of cranking to start it. Air temperature makes no difference. Could the problem be the fuel system losing pressure? Other ideas?

 

Try letting the fuel pump prime if you are not doing so. turn the key to the on (ignition) position. You should hear the pump prime. Wait about 3-5 seconds after you turn the key to the on position, then try to start it. This way, the pressure is built up in the line before you try to start it.

 

Have you checked your coolant temp sensor. Replacing it solved a similar problem in mine recently.

The Trickster!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Given geogrophy wasn't exactly my strong point, is your part of Texas cold? Do you have an open element? If so, then it's probly just having a hard time starting cold. The stock intake on the TBI's has a heater stove going into the intake that helps with cold starts. If thats not the case......

Bruce (90RS305)

 

I recently changed to an open element air filter from the stock. The car starts exactly the same. The part of Texas I live does not get cold very often. Temperature seems to have no effect anyway. Thanks for the ideas.

 

90rs305,

The heat stove helps to bring the car to closed loop faster, but doesn't really help with cold starts

kaupca,

Maybe a tune up would help?

 

Could be your fuel pump relay has gone bad. When it does that,
your oil pressure switch has to see pressure before the fuel pump will prime. being it takes longer to build oil pressure after sitting for an extended period could explain the extended cranking time. Next time you go out and start it in the morning, get in close the door and turn down the tunes, turn the key on and listen for the pump. If it doesn't run right away you probably need a new relay. If it does, like the other post said, let it run till it shuts off before cranking. When was the last time you changed the fuel filter? If you haven't done it and it's over 80,000 it's time ok! good luck.

 

Ohh

 

Tried your suggestion. Turned the key heard the pump run for a few seconds and then stop. Tried to start the car and it still cranked for a while before starting. The fuel filter has about 1,000 miles on it. Now what? I am at a loss of what to look for.

 

I ran into a simliar problem the little rubber hose between the pump and the pickup had a small crack .. so the fuel system never made good pressure You could hear the bubbles if you listen to the filler neck of the tank.

I jumped out the aldl to keep the fuel pump running Someone should know what terminal to jump.

 

Might also try a good tune up! and run a can of injector claener through it (add to fuel). The pressure reg. may be dirty. Have you checked the fuel pressure on the feed line yet? Fuel pressure is critical on cold starts because of additinal fuel need. The book calls for 13-9lbs of pressure for proper operation. I had a pump that gave me hell till I checked the pressure and it was only putting out 7lbs! When I put the new one in (13lbs now) I thought I'd got a new engine! better starting and more power.

 

I was told a diaphram on the throttle body is leaking fuel back thru the line while sitting. Causing you to have to crank it longer to start it when its been sitting. A lot of hit and miss ideas here.

 

TBI systems don't tend to retain pressure like port injection systems do. It's not a fault, it's a design choice.

 

It could be a leak inside the tank, the rubber hose that connects the pump to the metal line might have a hole in it. But Schurkey is right, these tbi units have a bleed hole to release vapors.
Regulator spring are known to break, it's best to do a pressure check. You can pinch off the return side at a rubber hose section. Prime it. It should hold pressure then.

 

rebuilt the pressure regulator, problem fixed.