My '88 GTA has been having this problem with starting for about a month now, and its getting worse. The car will start up just fine when its warmed up. But if it has been sitting for more than 2 hours, I have to turn the key to the 'on' position and wait till i hear the fuel pump shut off, then I turn the car totally off and wait about 10 seconds. Then I turn the key back into the 'on' position and wait till the fuel pump shuts off, then i will attempt to crank the ignition. For the past month, letting the fuel pump run twice before starting the car has worked fine. Now, the car has a hard time turning over even after letting the fuel pump run twice. What could the problem be? Im thinking that it is possible the fuel pump slowly going out...but really, I have no idea. Thanks, -Austin

 

Have you tried a new fuel filter? Could be clogged and not allowing a good flow of gas.

 

I havnt checked the fuel filter yet. I know where the filter is but in order to get it off correctly, do i unscrew the bolts on both sides of it? And then will gasoline come flowing out of those lines, if so, how much? Then, After it is off, how to i go about opening the cylinder to clean the filter?

 

Sounds either like you have a fuel filter problem or maybe a pump not developing enough pressure....... The fuel filter should be just a replacable canister. Remove the line on each end and replace the canister and connect the lines back up. Most are non servicable.

 

Can I get a filter at autozone? Also i have some sort of hole in the very top of the gas tank...not sure if the sending unit is not on there correctly or what, but would that cause the pump to not have enough pressure? Thanks, -Austin

 

Yes you can get a filter from autozone. My personal preference would be to install a wix filter or something along those lines. I am not a big fram person but thats just me...... You shouldn't have any exposed holes in your gas tank! there is something that prabably mounts there...... Are you able to take a pic of it? Or is it buried and can't be seen only felt...?

 

I bought a fuel filter today, so ill put that in tomorrow and hopefully that helps fix the fuel problem. The hole in the gas tank... I got my gas tank replaced about a month ago with one that is pretty much brand new. But I went to the gas station and filled my tank up all the way and right as the gas reached the top of the tank, it started overflowing, under the car and onto the ground. The car is going back into that shop this monday so they can fix that leak. But im guessin the fuel sending unit isnt attatched correctly.

 

There is a gasket on the fuel that is in between the fuel pump and the tank. The pump is held in by a lock ring, Sometimes the lockring doesn't seat right and the gasket can get cocked to one side causing it not to seal. This sounds like the problem you have going on.

 

It turns out that the problem Was caused by the fuel filter. Thank you guys for all of your help!

 

OK... so my car has randomly not been wanting to start again, after previously replacing the fuel filter. I have let the fuel pump run twice before it will start right up... Only when it has been sitting for 3-5 hours. If the car has been sitting over night, or was running up to 2 hours bfore hand, it will start right up. Is there a fuel sensor that tells the fuel pump how much fuel to actually pump?

 

No such sensor, I would suggest that whatever was clogging the old filter seems to be doing it to the new one, but you said the tank was replaced, however it isn't a new one so I'd keep that in mine, yet it could also be from your fuel source.
Once you're on empty try getting fuel at a different gas station.
I assume the fuel pump wasn't replaced? If not connect a fuel pressure gauge to the fuel pressure port and tape it to the windshield to monitor the pressure during the above conditions.

Good luck - RGarcia