1999 Chevy Atro Van only start with carb cleaner

Ok here is what I have.

1999 Chevy Astro Van 4.3L

When I purchased this vehicle 1 year ago it always started up on the first crank. Didn't make a difference whether it was cold or hot.

I noticed that once this winter started (I live in Florida) and the weather was a little colder. It started to become just a little hard to start.

It would take two cranks, then three, four.

Finally i hit it with some car cleaner and it fired up.

I have been doing this for quite some time. Hit it with some carb cleaner and it fires up.

Note once it is started it runs great. No hesitation, vibration, nothing it runs great.

Now I have read that you need at least 65 PSI fuel pressure for this van to start, and no I have not run a fuel pressure test yet. ( I will definitely do this weekend).

I guess i should also mention that whether the engine is cold or hot i still have to hit it with some carb cleaner.

I also read that it could be the ECT sensor (coolant temp sensor). It said that if this sensor does not tell the ECM the engine is cold it won't pulse the injectors to start.

Now as of late I have had to give it more than normal squirt of carb cleaner to get it going.

Now my question is what do you think it could be.

Something inside me just can't believe it is the fuel pump. I say this because once it starts it runs great.

Either way I am not sure what it is.

Also I need some advice on changing the fuel filter.

In anticipation of having to do some work I did purchase a fuel filter and a rebuild kit for the fuel pump. (Much cheaper than buying a new fuel pump from Advance auto or Autozone)

While I started to change the fuel filter I noticed that the fuel lines were bolted into the fuel filter very tight.

So tight it seems to me that I would break the fuel line before it gave.

I was wondering if anyone has had this problem also. I really want to change this filter but don't want to damage the fuel line trying to get the old filter out.

Anyway I hope someone can really help me.

Classic symptoms of low fuel pressure. Use a 13/16 open end wrench on the filter, and a 16mm line wrench on the fuel line. Put some anti-seize on the threads when istalling the new filter. Ignition in RUN position, engine off and cold, fuel pump running, pressure must be 60psi to 66psi. After the pump shuts off, pressure must remain above 55psi for 3 to 5 minutes. If you need to replace the fuel pump, replace the entire module. Use A/C Delco or Delphi parts ONLY or you'll have trouble in the future.

The ECT sensor is part of the OBDII system and if there's a problem with it, the Service Engine Soon, (SES) light will come on and a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) will be set in memory. The Fuel delivery system is not monitored by the OBDII system so if there's a problem, the SES light will not come on.

I agree with Old Master for the most part. My '97 had the same problem. I borrowed a fuel pressure guage and had 59 psi. I phoned GM Service, and was told "minimum 60 psi" .
I put in a new fuel pump, and it works fine. (1 psi !!!)
However, I used a aftermarket one. I was amazed at GM's price of $860.00, before taxes, in a box on the counter.
The one I bought (3 years so far) works fine, and the instructions also mentioned to make sure the electrical connections are clean and not burnt, and included a grease for the connector. There's about 10 amp continuous going to that pump when the engine runs.

I forgot to mention that there's a ground wire to the chassis, near the front of the tank, which is known to corrode.