Is this a fuel pump going out?

[lewisp]

Here is my situation: I have a 1990 Lumina Euro with around 110,000 miles. In the last week, on the cold winter mornings, it will turn over and over but not catch/start right away. For now, I'll let it sit for a few minutes then try again and it'll start. I have a 6-month old battery so it's not that. For a few times, it was only doing this when I hadn't started it the day before, when it'd just sat there for over 24 hours. I've also noticed that when it's cold, I really have to push down hard on the accelerator for it to go - it just accelerates very sluggishly until it gets warm. Sometimes when it's cold, I'll even be holding my foot steady on the accelerator and the car's movement will be kind of jerky, like it's not getting a steady stream of fuel or something. Someone guessed it might be the fuel pump that slowly loses pressure overnight or when it sits - does that sound right? Any other ideas much appreciated!

[richtazz]

First, how long has it been since it's had a tune up? If it's been a while, new plugs and wires are needed before we should even bother going any further.

[jeffcoslacker]

Follow Rich's advice, but just for laughs, try turning the key to on, but not cranking the starter for about 15 seconds, than kick it over....see if it lights right up, or still cranks but won't fire...I just wanna test a theory...

[lewisp]

First, Rich, I had all new spark plugs (would that automatically include new wires?) in 2004, about 20,000 miles ago. Is that too long ago?
Jeff, somebody else suggested that and I tried it this morning - it did start up relatively quickly. But I also drove it around 9 last night so it would only have had about 9.5 hours to lose the fuel pump pressure by this morning - it might have started just fine this morning anyway. What would it mean if your suggestion really helped it - that it just takes a few seconds for the pressure to build back up in the fuel line?
Sorry, I'm quite clueless, as you can tell!

[tblake]

I'd start by replacing the fuel filter if that hasnt been done for a long time

[richtazz]

Having the plugs changed doesn't necessarily mean they changed the wires too (and the fuel filter). A lot of people only change the plugs (why, I don't know). Usually cold start problems stem from worn tune-up parts. If the tune-up is current (20k miles is considered current if plugs, wires, fuel filter and PCV were all done) then it could be a fuel pressure issue. What Jeff was eluding to in his suggestion is that your FPR is bleeding off fuel pressure or your fuel filter is clogged. You can pull the vacuum line off the FPR and inspect it for raw fuel. If it's present, the regulator is shot and it needs to be replaced.

[lewisp]

Well, here's today's update... temps got down near -20 last night and my car wouldn't start this morning. I tried cranking it about 5 or 6 times, waiting a few minutes in between. One time it barely caught but died right away. Thanks much for all your info; I'm taking it to a mechanic this weekend and I'll feel slightly more knowledgable after coming here!

[jamesmetairie]

keep the forum posted the results.