Hard starting, possible fuel pressure regulator issue?

Tiny
NICK PARISE
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 CHEVROLET CAMARO
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 115,000 MILES
Hard starting and gas smell when it starts.
Saturday, October 28th, 2023 AT 9:40 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,650 POSTS
Hi,

That would be my first thought, the regulator. Before you jump into the regulator, please know that it requires the removal of the fuel tank to access. So, we need to check the fuel pressure to make sure it is within the manufacturer's specifications.

Here is a link that explains how to check fuel pressure:

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

Pic 1 below provides the manufacturer's fuel pressure specifications. Additionally, the remaining pics are the directions for replacing the regulator.

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Saturday, October 28th, 2023 AT 9:40 PM
Tiny
NICK PARISE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Regulator checked. Not the problem. I have recently replaced both TPS and IOC. All this started afterward, replaced both these 3 times. Same problem, when cold hard starts fast idle then stops and returns to the right speed. Runs beautifully till I have to start it again. Tried resetting them by unplugging them with the ign on then turning the key off and re-plugging them, but nothing seems to work.
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Tuesday, October 31st, 2023 AT 10:36 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,650 POSTS
Hi,

I'm not sure what you are referring to when you say IOC. Also, how long does it take to start and how high and how long is the idle a problem?

Let me know,

Joe.
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Tuesday, October 31st, 2023 AT 6:48 PM
Tiny
NICK PARISE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Sorry meant Idle Air Control. Here's my cold start procedure. Turn the key on, depress the gas 5 times, turn the key off, wait thirty seconds to start the car. Idle shoots to 1800-2200 for a couple of seconds then comes down to 800. As soon as I put it in gear (it is an automatic) it jumps up to around 1000 and runs like the old cars did when the choke was stuck. This is for a couple of mins then it settles down and runs normally. It seems like something is sticking or not closing but I don't know what. I brought it to a reputable guy, and he charged me $89.00 and it's still the same. Any ideas? Thank you for your patience.
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Wednesday, November 1st, 2023 AT 12:12 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,650 POSTS
Hi,

Thanks for the update. IAC makes sense. LOL I was going crazy trying to figure out what an IOC was.

When you had the IAC removed, did you closely inspect where it enters the throttle body, making sure there isn't dirt or corrosion that could prevent the IAC from moving properly? Also, why do you pump the gas? With fuel injection, that really shouldn't affect anything. If you are trying to clear a flooded engine, you can hold the throttle to the floor when cranking, which shuts down the injectors. But other than that, it really doesn't do anything.

What happens if you don't pump the throttle five times? Also, have you tried cleaning the throttle body?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throttle-actuator-service

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, November 1st, 2023 AT 7:09 PM

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