"88 GTA 350-Have owned since 2002. Car can sit for 06 mos.(storage)-turn the key-fires right up. same is true sits in garage for a week-no problem. Go to restart-it acts like the old Chrysler car-cranks & cranks. I stop and retry and it finally after several cranks catches. It acts as if it isn't getting that initial spark or something. Help me-took car to local Pontiac dealer for a computer check and they said it is fine. NOT! I've put new Points & etc., Walbro fuel pump,new plugs, wires.Not on right avenue-its embarrassing at the track sitting there cranking away...I don't believe I have an isolated incident-I'll replace--repair the problem-just need some badly needed technical solutions.

Thank you hydraulicdave

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but '85-'88 has the cold start injector correct? That may be interfering with normal startup of your engine. Does your car blow any smoke when it starts? I think mine has bad valve guide seals, which allow oil to seep into the combustion chamber, which fouls up plugs and makes it hard to start (all the oil has to be burnt up).

 

Luke,

Just want to thank you for the quick response-I don't know if the injector is a cold start...I do know that I smell gas outside vehicle after startup. I run Royal Purple in my engine, Tranny, and rear-end. I am planning to upgrade my nitrous to 125 shot(the limit) & install a nitrous cam w/ upgraded valves-hopefully this may be the trick...

Thanks again,

Dave-(hydraulicdave)

Ps--It may take awhile-I will keep you posted!!

 

if you run the car for about 10 minutes, then shut it down, and try to restart it immediately does it give you the same "crank crank crank" issue?

 

During the restart period (where it doesn't start), if you press the gas pedal while you crank, does that help it to start?

 

Yes--The problem could be in the mass air flow sensor-sending the wrong signal to the computer

 

Being fuel injected-this would send the wrong signal to the program--I'm checking on the possibility of my problem being in the mass air flow sensor--sending the computer wrong info.

Will let you know what I find---Thanks for your inquiry

Dave----------(hydraulicdave)

 

Not quite where I was heading lol.

If the motor fires up easily after it's already been pressurized and such, but after it sits a while it becomes hard to start it would lead me to believe there's a leaking fuel injector.


Hook up a fuel pressure gauge and turn the car on. Then turn it off after about 5 minutes. Check out the fuel pressure readings. Then come back about 10 minutes later and look at the fuel pressure reading, then come back again in another 30 minutes.

Report back with results

 

Sellman is getting at exactly what I am getting at.

 

New points in an '88 GTA?!?

Is this a stock motor? Still FI?

s for the floor to the pedal, simply, it'll clear out the engine if it's flooded. If you want the advice, listen to it, if you have a theory, give the reasoning behind it. MAFs by and large typically don't fail often without help, it's usually one of the relays, they in turn will sure help the MAF along.

 

Gentlemen: Performed the above test tonight(10:30pmEST)I have a new adjustable fuel pressure regulator already on car w/ guage-how convenient-lol.Turned key to run & established a reading-50psi-turned key off-5min. reading-10psi, 10min.-0psi. Obviously no reason for a 30 min. reading. Thank you Gents-sincerely appreciated.

 

Now disconnect your fuel injectors, leaving them on the fuel rail, and watch to see which one(s) leak... replace as neccessary