Chevrolet Repair: Oldsmobile 98 regency Wont start, fuel pressure gauge, fuel pressure regulator

Question
Hi Mark,

I am having difficulty with my 1987 Old 98 Regency V6 3.8 L.

The car runs like a champ once started. The issue is to get it started once the car has stat for  the night.

Here it what happens. It fires like its going to start runs 15 seconds, then it dies. If I try to restart it it just keeps turning. In order to get it going 9 out10 times I need to pump the gas pedal or let it sit for 10-15 minutes(it backfires when it start). This is even worst when the car is cold  (I live in the northeast so we have cold weather and the car sleeps outside)

I can hear the gas pump run when the key is first turned.

I also have a service engine soon light that comes on when driving down the road. I do not know if the 2 symtoms are inter-related.

I usually do most of my car repairs but, I have no clue where to start with this one and the weather was too cold for me to work on it outside, so I sent it to the local shop. I went to pick-it up friday and they said they could not find anything wrong.

So now I'm back at square one and still looking what could be causing this. Could this be caused by an oil pressure, gas pressure, gas return, a relay, ignition module...

Any help or clue with resolving this would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Marc,


Answer
Hi Marc, what you need to do is put a fuel pressure gauge on the fuel rail tap. Now when you start the car have the gauge handy so you can read it. If you lose pressure below 30lbs the fuel pump is either no good or the fuel pressure regulator is bad.

Let me know what the reading are


Have a Great Christmas       Mark