My engine is hard to start?

I have a 2003 Chevy Blazer 4x4 4.3 V6. Over a period of a few months, the truck is becoming successively more difficult to start - it acts as if it's not getting gas right away.

It's been checked at the local mechanic and the usual recommendations have been suggested (most which were already done)

It's had (recently) new plugs, wires, fuel filter, and thermostat (mechanic assured us it was faulty, so at <$15, I replaced)

The engine turns over just fine, so I don't anticipate any starter/battery/charger issues. However, it takes several rotations before the engine will fire.

Once it's running, there's no bogging, hesitation, or apparent loss of power? Also, restarts after short periods of being off do not show the same symptoms.

I know the fuel pump is supposed to run for 1-2 secs before actual turn over? I don't expect any pump issues, though, as it has no problem once started.

ANY thoughts? Thanks in advance!

One additional note. The catalytic converter HAS gone out on this and has not yet been replaced - could this cause the issue (due to incorrect sensor reading on the exhaust side?)

Also looked into adjusting timing to find it self-adjusts. My only other thoughts are possibly PCV valve or oxygen sensor (no codes thrown though), or fuel injectors (the entire assembly would have to be replaced.)

Also, what is a good product to run through the tank to clean the injectors / fuel line?

Three key-turns does the trick, haven't tried it with two yet.

Told the wife it's probably just the age of the vehicle.104K is getting long in the tooth for any Chevy these days.

I don't suppose there is any way to lengthen the time the fuel pump turns on when the key is first applied?

I've recommended to the wife to steer clear of off-brand gas stations.

Also, as a side note to the side note, the wife's favorite mechanic is losing their touch. Turns out the catalytic was just fine. It was the blatantly obvious broken exhaust weld in FRONT of the catalytic that was causing the rattle.

Thanks for the help - let me know if you recommend anything else!

(Also, fuel pressure measured just fine.)

Hard starting, takes 20-30 times to start, or a little starting fluid to start, can drive it all day long no problem, turn it off and restart no problem, but when set over nite, next morning hard starting, I change fuel filter, at that time it was dirty the fuel was, and change plugs, no trouble code comes on, today I took the fuel line off of the filter, and turned the key on, it pump about 3/4 to 1 inch fuel into the bottom of a quart mason jar, this is the first time I ever had any problems

I never got the email, when you anwsered my question, but after I took the fuel filter off that day, and release the fuel from the line from the valve, it seem to help it better, now it only takes 5-10 times before it starts, I will try what you reccomend, dont worry about the donation

I have a 2002 Chevy Blazer with 130,000 miles. Within the past month I have to crank it for about 10 min before it will catch and stay running. Sometimes it will start after about 5 cranks other times its 10-12. Once it starts it stays running and will run with out stalling or hesitation. After work I find it only takes me a few cranks to start.

Just recently the only way the car will start in the early morning is when I spray starting fluid directly into the throttle body. After doing this the car starts right up and has no problems running. If I do not spray starting fluid in the throttle body then the car will not start, it only cranks. Even after numerous trys the car will still not turn over.

2001 Blazer 4.3 v6 147000. Intermittent cold start problem. My truck is hard to start maybe twice a month in the mornings. It is especially hard to start after rainy, humid weather. It turns over, then immediately sputters and dies out. If I press the accelerator during starting, it will sometimes eventually start, after softly backfiring in a few attempts. Yes, I do smell gas, but no black smoke is apparent. I have had the plugs, wires and cap changed. I have replace the fuel pump, filter and spider-piece (injectors). After it starts, there are no more problems for the rest of the day. It runs great. Gas Mileage sucks though. It used to emit a raw smell which my mechanic suspected to be coming from the catalytic converter. No other symptoms though. What gives!

Thank you for replying : )

I will check the crank shaft sensor. The check engine light has not come on. It has also started to bog down under heavy acceleration, but it doesn't do it every time.

Hey guys I hope you can help me. About two months ago we had a really bad nor'easter and it rained for 5 days. During the storm I chose to move my blazer to avoid possible flooding and it didn't want to start. It would turn over and even "chug" a little but it took about eight tries to get it running. After starting it would do fine until it sat for longer than about 6 hours or so and then I would have the same problem. Replaced the cap and rotor soon after and didn't have a problem until yesterday after the truck had sat in the rain for a day. This time it didn't want to start until about 20 or so tries, and only after I sprayed wd40 on the cap and wires (a recommendation from my Dad who works on older cars but not fuel injected ones) so that it would help to remove the moisture. He thinks maybe my coil or wires are bad and I am unsure as to what to do since I don't have the money to go to the shop right now and am away from home going to school. Any ideas would help and be very appreciated.
Thanks guys :-)

I will try the spray bottle on it tomorrow after work. I should have also mentioned that I have a brand new fuel pump in the truck that isn't even a year old yet so I am hoping that this is not the case.

Hello, this vehicle runs fine after it starts, but it has to turn over for a long time to start. I replaced the distributor cap and rotor, and the plugs are clean and appear to be in good condition. I hear the fuel pump whining and can hear the injectors clicking. The engine runs smooth and accelerates with no problems.

My Blazer takes about 25 cranks to get it started after 4-6 hours. After it is started it runs great. If it's off for a few hours all you have to do is bump the ignition for it to start. But after sitting for a long period of 4-6 hours it's very hard to start. Sometimes it won't start at all unless I get a jump. That may be because it drains the battery trying to start it. It has new plugs, new cap, new wires, new fuel filter. I hear the fuel pump and it's only a year and a half old. It is getting worse now. I had a ball joint replaced two months ago and the guy who did it says that it shouldn't take three to four cranks to get it started. He checked the fuel pressure and that was at about 55psi. Then he stated that it could be a leaking injector, a fuel regulator or spider gasket. Minimum would cost me $700.00. He said because he has to take off so many parts. And then the cost of new parts. He said it was probably leaking inside with gas. And this is flooding it. But I don't smell gas. And after I start it and let it idle to warm up I notice black carbon on the driveway from the tail pipe. But it doesn't smoke. And it does idle a little rough. Then I was told by a friend that he had the same problem and it was just the fuel regulator, a $59.00 item. This is crazy. I know the dealer wants $440.00 to replace it. Is there any other ideas? You guys helped me get my fuel pump working and were great. I just want to make sure I am not getting ripped off.

Thanks.