Pontiac Repair: 1998 Grand Prix GTP Difficult Starting, fuel pressure regulator, vacuum line

Question
3.8L supercharged engine. Diffuclt to start, warm or cold. Takes a lot of cranking over, or a number of attempts to start. The problem seems to be progressively getting worse ove the last month. Runs fine once started.

Answer
Hey Gary:

Once it starts does it billow black smoke out the exhaust? If so I would suspect some kind of an issue with either injectors leaking into the engine when it's off or a fuel pressure regulator leaking fuel into the vacuum line. You could have a check valve in fuel pump module leaking the pressure back into the gas tank. Does it start harder if it sits when it's hot or when it's on a cols start. When was the last time the fuel filter was replaced? Aai restricted filter or plugged filter will cause issues as well and will eventually damage the fuel pump. Has any service engine soon lamp come on? Good luck :0