1996 hard start issue
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 102
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From: SE SD
1996 hard start issue
My 96 lt1 has been hard to start taking twice as long as it should. I put the fuel pressure gauge on it and it reads 41psi until the pump is done priming and than drops like a rock to zero. Also after it starts it reads 41psi till you get on it and it drops to 31psi. I pulled the vacuum line of the FPR and it's dry no leaking. Looks like I am in the market for a new fuel pump. Looking at the racetronix kit. (Wlabro 255lt/hr with all the stuff for install for $130.) Any comments? Missing anything?
....sounds like the fuel pump check valve.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 296
Likes: 1
From: Tipp City Ohio
My 96 lt1 has been hard to start taking twice as long as it should. I put the fuel pressure gauge on it and it reads 41psi until the pump is done priming and than drops like a rock to zero. Also after it starts it reads 41psi till you get on it and it drops to 31psi. I pulled the vacuum line of the FPR and it's dry no leaking. Looks like I am in the market for a new fuel pump. Looking at the racetronix kit. (Wlabro 255lt/hr with all the stuff for install for $130.) Any comments? Missing anything?
If you turn on the key and hear the fuel pump spin up, try pulling the key out, wait for 30 secs, stick it in and try it again but this time try starting. If it turns over quickly, it may explain that the fuel rail was empty and it took a couple spin ups of the fuel pump to fill and pressurize the rail.
My car is doing the same thing and I just replaced the fuel pump. There is a pinch test to narrow it down to the pump vs the injector or FPR. The procedure for that is out here on the forums somewhere (search for fuel and pinch test). That procedure is also in the FSM if you have access to one.
Good luck!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 102
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From: SE SD
I thought about a leaking injector so I primed the system 6 times in a row. I figured if it was leaking down that fast that I could fowl the plug and find it easy. No dice.
I then decided to pull the pump out to see if the short piece of fuel line might have a split in it that connects the pump to the assembly. The hose was fine. I took the pump out and blew some air threw it. Put it back together so it runs tip top. The check valve must have been jammed open. I am still going to replace the pump since I have a new on its way. I have new sender assembly coming too. My gauge goes from fuel to empty and nothing in between.
I then decided to pull the pump out to see if the short piece of fuel line might have a split in it that connects the pump to the assembly. The hose was fine. I took the pump out and blew some air threw it. Put it back together so it runs tip top. The check valve must have been jammed open. I am still going to replace the pump since I have a new on its way. I have new sender assembly coming too. My gauge goes from fuel to empty and nothing in between.
