Hard to start

2001 Grand Prix v6 3.8

Car is hard to start. Turn the key engin turns over but does not start at first.

2nd time engin will start but spudders then revs up to about 3000 rpm drops down to where it should be and then is ok. You can smell gas at this point but the smell goes away. Car runs fine after this.

Also car will crank first time if you hold the gas to the floor but still does all the above.

Any ideas what could cause this? Thanks

You can smell gas at this point but the smell goes away. Car runs fine after this.

The gas smell really concerns me. First thing I'd do is replace the O-rings on the fuel lines that are located on the motor. The O-rings may be losing their elasticity and are allowing fuel vapors to escape and a minute amount of fuel pressure.

My experience:
As far as mashing down the pedal to start, I had to replace the IAC (idle air control) valve to fix my car. It was an easy fix.

I agree, Try the iac first, maybe just pull it off and see if its all carboned up, sometimes you can clean them and make them work ok.

like eippermx said, might want to look into the fuel smell. Could rent a fuel presure guage from autozone and see if it holds pressure.