1993 4.3L astro van will not start.But by pushing gas down a little bit it will start

[jebaker2621]

why do I have to press gas pedal down no 1993 4.3L astro van to get It to start.It would start first time every time.now I have to push gas down just a little bit to get it to start then will run fine, Hot or cold don't matter.I changed roto cap and button wires plugs and temp sensor gage on the front of motor, did not help THANKS

[Blue Bowtie]

Welcome Aboard!

Without diagnosis, my initial guess is that the fuel pressure is adequate. I mention that because a common problem associated with no-starts is low fuel pressure in the CPSI systems. Since there is evidently sufficient pressure to deliver fuel and tun the engine, that is less likely an issue.

More likely is that there is excess fuel, and you need to admit more iar (by opening the throttle) to start the engine. Fuel pooling can result from leaking injectors, a leaking fuel pressure regulator, or leaking fuel line set. All of these items are inside the intake manifold and any leaks will flood the engine.

Monitoring fuel pressure is a good diagnostic aid. If the pressure drops off within a few minutes of turning off the fuel pump there may be fuel leaks in the intake. It could also be from a regulator leaking through or fuel pump check valve leaking backward, but given your symptoms I'd suspect leakage into the intake.

Another indicator is whether the engine will start easily shortly after shutting it off - Before there is sufficient time to flood the intake with fuel. If you shut off the engine and attempt to restart it after about one minute, does it start easily without having to open the throttle?

[jebaker2621]

Thanks for the reply I thank you are right.I'am goning to buy a car for now,may work on in the summer,if it would warm up I will try to check the fuel pressure for leaking back.I don't no how to do this but will look it up no the internet.

[usa1qman]

Originally Posted by jebaker2621

Thanks for the reply I thank you are right.I'am goning to buy a car for now,may work on in the summer,if it would warm up I will try to check the fuel pressure for leaking back.I don't no how to do this but will look it up no the internet.

I think your Astro should be easy to check fuel pressure, if the engine is same as my 1997 you should have a schrader valve on the fuel supply line. Should be right under the "doghouse" near the distributor I believe. You can actually check prime pressure just by hooking up to the schrader with a press gage (Autozone or even crappy Harbor Freight) then turning ignition to "on". Get service manual specs for prime pressure, bleed down pressure (what it settles out at after prime cycle complete) and engine on running pressure (will usually be lower). You need the most fuel press to start, and need to keep that pressure for enough time. Try 4 or 5 prime cycles (key to on, hear pump buzz, then off for 5 sec --- repeat) and see if it starts better. May be fuel injector(s) not holding pressure. Good luck...Service manual is a big help check ebay

[sickcars]

Also I dont know if you've fixed this yet but on some of the throttle boddies get pretty gummed up with carbon and what not. If you pull the throttle body off and check it out I bet its pretty nasty. That would also cause the hard start or stalling at idle.

Just another idea. Its cheap and fairly easy to do.