I have had this problem since I bought my car last april. It would take three or four cranks before the car would turn over and stay running. Well, after alot of research, (and not having money to throw around) and trouble shooting, I finally went out and bought a fuel filter. Took me about 15 minutes to replace. This morning it was about 28 degrees outside and my car started on the first crank. THE FIRST TIME EVER!!!!!
Go figure. Question: when you guys relief the pressure on the schraeder valve, do you get a lot of fuel spray out? Or just a little, say an ounze or so... I thought i was going to get a strong spray come out of there. Either way, my car seems alot happier.
Rudy

 

tpi will give a very strong spray as they run much more preasure than tbi, but tbi will give you a spray too. it's a quick and easy check for leaks in the system or a weak fuel pump.

 

If the car sat for a while before you relieved the pressure in the fuel rail, you won't get a powerful spray out of it, the pressure in there will slowly bleed off on tis own.

 

I had the car running so I could get it on the ramps to change the filter. So i figured it would be under a pretty good pressure load.
But I guess if the filter was bad enough to keep the engine from starting up properly, it would not maintain/allow the proper pressure level, therefore I would not get a "good spray" when I relieved the pressure. Either way, it's "seems" to be running better all the way around.
Rudy