1994 Caprice starting / idle problems

[markm1101]

Hello everyone! Wondering if I could get some help and advice on my 1994
Chevy Caprice Classic 4.3L troubles?

My Caprice has starting issues. Here are the facts in order, to make it easier to understand:

1. Caprice won't fire up on first starting attempt.
2. Caprice might fire up on second start, but only if I crank for a while
on first attempt (7 seconds or more).
3. Mostly starts on 3rd attempt, hesitates and sputters, then gets up to
"correct" idle speed. I have no tach to verify how "correct" it is, but it sounds right.
4. Once running, hesitates and bogs down badly in drive, unless it idles in park for a while first (5+ minutes) and gets up in temperature.
5. Once engine is running, audible ticking sound that goes away once car is warm enough. Now I notice a slight quiet one, no matter how hot engine is.
6. When running on cold temp., engine bogs down and almost dies if I go from reverse to drive, accelerate (especially up hill), or turn wheel while coasting. No such problems if engine is warm enough.
7. Seems like oil pressure guage is too high, as in almost reaching the last
notch before the 'H' . Doesn't really change much, but reads a bit higher on pressure when engine is cold.
8. Under hard acceleration, bogs down a bit before taking off. Seems to pull well and speed up just fine once it gets past the bogging down part. Better throttle response on hotter engine temp. as well.

I'm not sure where to begin. Could be a simple case of needing new wires or plugs, or maybe something deeper and more expensive to fix? One friend swears that all is needed is cleaning out the oil pump pickup screen.
Anyone ever have to do this? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

Mark


---Update-----

I took Caprice out around the town to go see dentist. Came home. Came out
and started Caprice after sitting for 2 hours. Fired up on first start, but barely.
Now I notice that if I give the car some gas slowly and evenly, in park, the
rpm's increase smoothly. If I stomp on pedal, the engine sputters and stumbles
before rpm's rev up. If I stomp on pedal two or three times in a row, engine
stumbles and even backfires a bit. But like I said, doesn't do it if pedal is applied
slowly and evenly. Hope this helps.

[jdl]

When was the last time you did a tuneup? You know, air filter, fuel filter, clean the throttle-body, stuff like that?

Have you checked fuel pressure lately? Were there any trouble-codes?

If you think the problem is temp related, check the CTS. If throttle related, check the TPS. I'm not saying replace anything, there are tests for those sensors.

[Blue Bowtie]

Originally Posted by jdl

Have you checked fuel pressure lately?

What he said...

[markm1101]

Thanks

sorry for delay, but busy week. I will definitely do it in the order described.
I Apreciate the help and will keep you posted!

Mark