When I start my T/A, if it has been sitting for more than 24 hours (or enough time for fuel pressure to drop to zero), I get lots of hesitation and missing at light throttle for about 5 minutes, then everything seems ok after that. I am hoping it is just a fuel filter problem - the one that is on there now has been there for about 2 years and 10,000 miles. It does have me worried though... I hear fuel pump swaps are a nightmare, and the thought of changing one during winter isn't very appealing.

If that is the problem I may just fix it and sell the car, I've had it for almost 4 years but why should I waste lots of time and effort maintaining a 12 year old car that struggles to break into 14s? OK now I am rambling.... so does this sound like a fuel pump problem, or maybe something else?

 

Normally when fuel pumps go bad there are usually no warning signs, they just die. Your rough running problem could be because in the first few minutes your car is running in open loop mode and the computer is unable to make adjustments to the A/F ratio because the O2 sensor hasn't heated up yet. When was the last time you gave your car a tuneup?

 

I'd change out that fuel filter for starters. Two years is a long time to go between filter changes, esp. considering you could have picked up a tank or two of crap gas along the way.

Change the fuel filter and see how the car runs. BTW - you'll want to change the fuel filter annually along with the PCV valve. A lot of driveability problems many folks have with EFI vehicles is due to neglecting routine maintenance.

Dave

 

I heard you were lookin' at buying a Saab. Sierra club stickers dont look right on trans ams

hahaha

 

I had cold start/running problems myself, finally traced it down to a leaking pulsator on top of the fuel pump, replaced it with a short piece of fuel line & now it starts & runs well when cold. I'm not saying this your exact problem, just saying it's probably fuel delivery related. I would get a pressure gage on it & see if it holds a steady pressure under your hard start/run condition & holds it at least 30 min. after shutdown. Mine would immediately drop pressure to zero after shutdown. This was okay during warmer weather, but became a real problem in the cold.

 

Changing the fuel pump on a thirdgen IS a pain in the ***! The exact words my mechanic used were "this was an adventure"
=D
However, I woukdn;t sell the car =(
There are amny worse problems that you could have, and I think a fuel pump swap, new fuel filter and strainer will solve your problem. If not, check out "TOM P's major tuneup" and that'll have your f-body running top notch and struggling alot less to make 14 second power.

 

ahaha am I the only one that finds this line funny and sad at the same time?



I doubt its the pump, sounds ignition related. Damn Chicken Littles