Well, not really troubles, the car starts every time. But the amount of time the starter has to crank the engine before it turns over is really rediculous. There will be times, like after I've turned the engine off, and start it again w/in about 10 minutes, or a lot of times first thing in the morning when it'll start right up. But for the most part, I have to crank it over for far too long before it starts. I was thinking that the starter was going bad, just because the previous owner installed an alarm with the remote start function, and I've heard from some people that the remote start function over cranks the engine when it's used, which burns up the starter motor. But the more I think about it, other posibilities come to mind, such as fuel pump relay, or ignition issues (which I don't think are playing a role in this as I've replaced most of the ignition components), or possibly a vacuum leak. I'm tired of trying to figure it out, so I thought I'd ask you all and see if we could come to any general consensus. Thanks.

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ICQ #: 77308896
AIM: Ezekiel2sc
2.8L MPFI w/ K&N filters & homemade ram air
5 speed manual
3.42 rear axle
180W Clarion CD Deck
Pioneer 5.25" in front
Polk 3 way 6*9 in back

 

What I and others do is turn the key to the On position to prime the fuel pump before trying to start the engine. It only takes an additional second or two, and you should be able to hear the fuel pump hum when you do this. If not, then you'll want to check out the fuel pump relay or possibly the fuel pump itself (check the pressure).

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Greg Westphal
'87 IROC 355TPI/A4

 

I have the same trouble with my car in the morning and if I prime it I have no trouble. I was thinking of taking my car to the chevy dealer because there has been 2 TSB's for the fuel system on thirdgens. I know for 91 but maybe other years. They are a fuel pump one and a pressure leak in the gas tank. I am going to have them check both at once because if something is wrong they have to give me 1LE gas tank becuase the others aren't made anymore. Also because if you are going to check one why not do both. I hope this helps.

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91 z-28 305 700R4
3.73 gears out back
T-Tops and Black all over.

 

91z4me, if your car starts fine if you let it prime in the morning that is completely normal and the dealer will laugh at you if you ask him to 'fix' it. The reason you have to prime the fuel pump in the morning (or after a long sitting) is b/c the pressure in the fuel system goes away over time. You prime it to restore pressure so that when the injectors open fuel will come out. Their is no fix for it, it's just the way fuel injection works.

The only fuel related TSB i know of is for the fuel filler neck leak, basically they crack and leak. This would not have any effect on starting the car though. Also, if your car doesn't leak gas when full, or smell like gas all the time, especially after tight hard turns, you don't have this problem. As for the 1LE tank, it seems that most later model f bodies got the baffled tank. If your car doesn't stall when turning when down to the last couple gallons in it, you have the baffled tank already and would stand to gain nothing except letting dealer idiots touch and potentially break your car.

 

All these sound like some good ideas, but I've tried the whole priming the fuel pump before I crank it over, and it doesn't really seem to help. I can hear the fuel pump going on, and I'm pretty sure that end of the equation is ok, considering the previous owner had the fuel pump replaced in December of 2000. I will probably want to check the fuel pressure at the schrader(sp?) valve on the fuel rail to see if everything's cool there. Any other ideas? Could a vacuum leak from the climate controls cause the engine vacuum to be messed up?