I just bought a 1989 IROC 5-sp with 142,000mi. I love it but it now takes three separate attempts to start in the morning or after sitting for several hours. The first cranking for several seconds does nothing, the second attempt the starter spins a little faster and sounds like it might want to catch, then the third separate attempt it starts flick of the key. This is a consistent problem. I can smell gas from under the fuel tank in the morning and I beleive I say gas leaking from the fuel filter outlet yesterday when checking underneath. Would a fuel filter leak cause these problems? Any other ideas? Thank you. Also, would anyone know where I could find out what year my t-5 tranny is by the numbers on it? I know it was swapped in because my RPO indicates my car was originally an automatic trans. Thank you.

 

Well if your fuel filter is leaking then you have very low fuel pressure on start up. It takes a few turns of the key for the FP to build back up. I would change the filter if you don't know when it was changed last.

 

if your leaking gas, i would get that fixed as soon as possible..

 

yeah, that has bad news written all over it. (leaking gas)