94 Trans Am hard starting

[zaktom]

My TA starts hard. I have to turn it over for 2-5 seconds in order to get it to start. I replaced the fuel pump and filter last august and didn't drive it much after. I just recently got it out again for the summer and now this. I have done some troubleshooting though. I turned the key on to allow the system to pressurize. Then, I unscrewed the cap on the fuel rail to see if any fuel would squirt out. It doesn't. Could this mean that my fuel pressure regulator is going out? Could my shot of fuel to charge the system just be going back to the tank via the return line? Any suggestions?

Tom

[stetzz05]

motor type and fuel delivery system info would help here. if you think fuel prob start with a fuel pressure test

[zaktom]

It is a stock LT1 engine. I haven't done anything to it to change it.

[wrightz28]

Fuel pressure gauge is your best friend at this point.

[Genopsyde]

i think you are correct in your suspicion of the regulator, try pinching off the return line and see if it holds the pressure then. Do not try to start it tho, just see if fuel will squirt out of the schrader valve. If it does, then your regulator is bad, if not, then the fuel isn't getting up that far for some reason.

[zaktom]

I checked the regulator to see if it held vacuum by sucking on the vacuum port of it and blocking it with my tongue and it does hold vacuum. Is this a good way to determine if the regulator is shot? Is there some kind of valve back by the pump that may not be working correctly? Where else should I look?