This is kinda a long story but this is a demon I have been chasing for awhile and has now gotten worse. Check my sig for info on my car.

Problem: Motor takes 15-20 turns to start up and struggles to do so at that. My car has always been a little hard to start, would usually take 5-9 turns to start but then would start right up.

History of what has been done so far and results:
New parts last week:
New plugs - AC Delco Rapidfires #2
Wires - Crane Cams 8.5mm race wires
Cap and Rotor - AC Delco
New AC Delco Coil
Set base timing to 6 degrees, had it at 10 and 8 with no change, stuck with factory setting for now.

New fuel tank sending unit - 1 month ago
Fuel pump that was used was less than 9 months old
All 3 relays on the firewall have been replaced around 9 months ago.
New AC Delco IAC 2 months ago.

The car runs really strong but I have had 2 instances where I have been slowing down and the car will cut out. If i put it in neutral and tap the gas, it will recover. (I am not sure if this is related or not)

When I try to start I will let the fuel pump prime, turn key, after 15+ turns car struggles to start. I have tried turning key, letting motor turn over 4-5 times, turn key off, turn key on, let fuel pump prime again, sometimes this helps, sometimes not. I have tried pumping the pedal and keeping it to the floor, again, sometimes this helps, sometimes not.

I always use 93+ octane and every 3 or 4 months I will run a bottle of STP fuel system and injector cleaner.

I do not believe my ignition system is the problem. When the motor takes more than 10 turns I can smell gas if I have my windows down. My friend said it could possible be my fuel press. regulator or my injectors or both. I have not bought a fuel press. gauge yet because I am not sure what the factory rating even is. I have also been told it could be the cold start injector but I have this problem when the motor is cold or warm.

My car has around 150K miles on it. I have never encountered something like this on a FI engine. I hate to just keep throwing parts at this and it not actually help my problem. If anyone has run into this problem or can post suggestions of things to try please do so. I also have a digital camera if for some reason someone would like to see pictures of something. Thank you in advance.

 

Sounds like ignition to me, but what do i know. If the timing is too far advaned, starting will be bad when cold, really really bad when hot. also, a "crappy spark will not ignite fuel" so once again, check your ignition. I notice you've replaced all that stuff, wires plugs etc... and it wouldnt be the first time in the world somone got a set of bad wires or plugs somthing. did you set your plug gap correctly? your sig doesnt say MSD ignition so if your gap is too wide your sort of problem could happen.

 

On the TPI I beleive stock fuel pressure is around 44 psi. How long ago was the fuel filter replaced?

 

Plugs where gapped to stock. I will double check the wires but how would I accuratly test them? I just replaced the fuel filter 4 weeks ago. What other ignition components should I be looking into?

 

I would start with the ignition module, if you don't want to spend more money, just have AutoZone check it. You have to pull it out first, then they could check it. It's a start.

 

Thank you for the suggestion Felo. Where is the ignition module located on a TPI motor? Is it really hard to get out?

 

Ign sounds retarded, if it takes a lot of cranks and then starts to hit. Fuel pressure could take a while to come up, but probably not the problem. If the damper has "moved" a little, then your base timing could be off. Do a positive stop TDC measurement to know for sure. If the damper has moved then you REALLY need a new one or this is going to do a lot of damage.

 

Well as far as the balancer goes, it is a new one about 3 months old, I had to replace my timing chain so I replcaed the balancer as well. I have not double checked with the TDC test but I have checked it with an adj. timing light and it is right on the $. I tried it at 8 and 10 degress adv. base timing and still no better result. Any word on where the ignition module is and how hard it is t get out?

 

Chevyguy,
Your ignition module is inside the distributor cap attached to the base plate of your distributor.

 

Cool. I spoke to my friend Travis up at the parts store, a new Ac Delco dist. is $109 (my cost) An ign. module is $45 and a new pick up coil is $11 = $56. Could the pickup coil be the problem by chance? We are thinking it be better to replace the whole thing than to go the trouble of taking the old one apart. I will test the wires tommorow for resistance to make sure they are good. What do you guys think?

 

Forgot to mention, new MAF about 7 months ago. That may or may not make any difference.