1993 DGC 3.3 hard starting

[Len]

My GC 3.3L has become hard to start, van runs fine once started, filter and pump were replaced 2 years ago, about 50,000kilomters ago, this just up and started. Checked and cleaned all the relay connectors, didn't help, fuel pressure is like 20# when it won't start but when it decides to start it goes to 40#+. I have to turn the key on listen for pump to stop then turn it off then on listen for pump to stop then about the third time the pump won't start so I turn it over and sometimes it starts but most times it won't, 10 -15 second cranking and it won't start but turn it over and count to 3 then shut it off and do it again and sometimes it starts if not it will on the next try. Fuel pressure does not hold on a shutdown, it bleeds out.

Is this a back flow valve problem in the fuel pump?
Fuel pressure regulator?
Dirty injectors not closing?
How do I check to see which one it is?

Thanks

 

[Daniel J. Stern]

My GC 3.3L has become hard to start, van runs fine once started, filter and pump were replaced 2 years ago, about 50,000kilomters ago, this just up and started.

Checked and cleaned all the relay connectors, didn't help, fuel pressure is like 20# when it won't start but when it decides to start it goes to 40#+.

System spec is 48 pounds. If you cannot attain/maintain that, the pump and/or pressure regulator is/are faulty.

Fuel pressure does not hold on a shutdown, it bleeds out.

Pump and/or pressure regulator

Is this a back flow valve problem in the fuel pump?
Probably

Fuel pressure regulator?
Possibly

Dirty injectors not closing?

If it were that, the engine would run very poorly (very rich).

 

[Len]

Thanks for the reply Daniel,

Now the question is how to I go about testing the regulator or the backflow of the pump?

I really don't want to pull the tank, been there 3 or 4 times 2 years ago when I installed a brand new carter pump.

System spec is 48 pounds. If you cannot attain/maintain that, the pump and/or pressure regulator is/are faulty.

Pump and/or pressure regulator

If it were that, the engine would run very poorly (very rich).