Cadillac Repair: i am having a problem with..., fuel pressure regulator, vacuum hose

Question
i am having a problem with my 99 deville, when i go to start it , it hesitates to start it does start but you smell fuel after it turns over . what could it be, it runs great once it starts. help?

Answer
Hi Tammy, Anytime you smell gas like that you should have someone look at it asap to make sure where the smell is comming from and what needs to be fixed. With the engine running and the hood open can you see gas dripping and where does it seem the strongest. If dripping it would be best to have it towed to a shop in order to avoid starting a fire. Strong fuel odors in the engine compartment could be from a leaking fuel pressure regulator where the gas goes through the vacuum hose into the engine, stuck open injector or leaking fuel line. If it is overfueling durring the long crank time then a sharp tech should be able to repair it before engine damage or catalytic converter damage is done. Bill