1999 Rodeo LS 3.2L V6 M/T 287K miles
It has been starting "harder" a few times per day over the last week.
Sometimes it starts right up normally, quick crank and no gas. Other times it requires much more cranking and then a few taps of the pedal to start.
It seems to be happening more frequently over the past few days but it will always start.
I replaced the fuel pressure regulator and the fuel filter (external) along with the air filter, and that seemed to do it the first day, but then the occasional hard starting returned.
I also swapped positions of the fuel pressure relay and the heater relay just to see if maybe the pump relay was sticking intermittently, which I didn't think was happening since I can hear the fuel pump running when I turn the key before cranking the engine.
No hesitation while driving/accelerating, runs fine once started. Starts hard at different times during the day.
I'm planning to change the spark plugs this coming weekend just because they're due, but I don't expect that to cure this since it runs great once started and I have no CEL.
Ideas anyone?
Thanks,
Mark