Hard to start when warm, crank sensor is it a fuel pressure issue?

PUTSTER

MEMBER
2000 CHEVROLET LUMINA
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
63,000 MILES

My 3.1 liter starts right away when the engine is cold but if the car sits for more than 15 minutes after being driven it cranks a long time and I need to press the gas pedal to start it. After it starts it runs fine. Took it to a mechanic where he found fault codes for a random misfire and idle rpm being too high and my IAC was replaced but the problem persisted. He did a fuel leak down test and the first time it was normal but when he did it a short time later the pressure fell too fast. He thinks its a bad fuel pump but I hear the fuel pump activate when I turn the ignition to the "on" position.

1 Reply

DANNY L

MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS

Hello, I'm Danny.

Here is the information you requested. It sounds like you may have a weak or failing fuel pump that is not providing adequate fuel pressure. Your car has an in tank fuel pump so you will have to remove the fuel tank to gain access. I've attached picture steps below on how to remove and replace both the fuel tank and fuel pump on your car. The last picture below is the fuel pressure specification for your car.

Here is a tutorial showing how to test fuel pressure after the repair is complete to verify proper fuel pressure:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.

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