2000 Lesabre problems starting

[Triumph]

So I just purchased a 2000 Lesabre custom 3800. After driving a few days the engine would stutter every so often while driving. This didn't happen on every trip but it seemed to always happen while driving up hill.
Now yesterday when I tried to start the car it just rolled over but wouldn't completely start. I then pumped the gas a couple times and it started right up. So I shut it off and tried it again and it started up without pressing the gas. I did this several times without issue. Then again this morning it wouldn't start the first time without pumping the gas.
I've turned the key to the on position and hear the fuel pump turning on and off, I've also changed the plugs. I'm about to change the fuel filter but I doubt that will be the cure.
Also no codes are showing up at anytime.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Spriteman]

Do you smell excess gas when you have to pump it to start?

The pumping would indicate a lack of fuel when trying to start and once you get enough into the fuel system it's starts well. Sounds like the fuel should be checked at the fuel rail for pressure and proper volume. Do you have a batch of bad gas? If you're in a rainy area right now maybe you got some water in the tank. Might be a good idea to go ahead and change the fuel filter - check it and see if there is debris on the fuel tank side. That might mean you have some trash in the tank as well.

If that tests normal then a good check of the ignition system from the ignition module, ignition coils, spark plug wires, and the plugs. Each one needs to be checked and make sure when you checking you're able to distinguish a high voltage spark that should be blue. They make cheap spark testers that are made for HEI (high energy ignition) systems.

You handy with the test tools? If you need more detail on the tests just shoot another post.

 

[Triumph]

There isn't any gas smell at all. Also I'm in a cold climate right now average temp 25-32.

I'll have to try and get my hands on a pressure gauge and check that out.

I was looking into it possibly being a TPS sensor or MAF, due to the stuttering while driving. Also once in awhile when it starts up I get a nice puff of black smoke.
I'll check for debris when changing the fuel filter, but I've gone through a couple tanks of gas, so I would rule out bad fuel. I also put premium in it to keep the octane level higher.

Thanks again

 

[Spriteman]

One quick check of the MAF would be to just unplug it while the car is running and see if that makes the car run rough and then smooths back out when you plug it back in. If it does then the MAF is probably good.

Focus on the fuel and spark first - once you rule those out then you can drill down to other areas.

 

[imidazol97]

Now yesterday when I tried to start the car it just rolled over but wouldn't completely start. I then pumped the gas a couple times and it started right up. So I shut it off and tried it again and it started up without pressing the gas. I did this several times without issue. Then again this morning it wouldn't start the first time without pumping the gas.
I've turned the key to the on position and hear the fuel pump turning on and off, I've also changed the plugs.

The car should be cranked with your foot off the gas pedal. The car adjusts the idle air control valve to give the right amount of air. Opening the throttle plate only confuses the mixture. The exception is flooring and holding it turns off the fuel to clear flooding.

The stutter driving might be from plug wires needing replacement since you've replaced the plugs. Did you replace with ACDelco's? The wires would give problem mostly under very light acceleration right after the 4th gear torque converter lockup speed, i.e., 46-55 or so. Accelerating harder or dropping into 3rd with lockup won't stress the ignition as much.

It would be low fuel pump pressure as well. But the fuel filter's not likely the cause of that.

I might suspect a weak coil since you can get some cylinders firing during cranking but it doesn't really want to start; that might be losing 2 cylinders and trying to start with 4.

For starting try turning the key to ON for couple seconds and then to OFF when the fuel pump stops. Repeat that 2 more times to be sure the pressure is primed to full level.

Also, are you losing any coolant in reservoir and inside the radiator? Are you getting a larger than normal white cloud when the car does start? Stutter could be coolant in cylinder and hard starting could be from plugs that are fouled with coolant.

You might check the fuel pressure regulator valve for leaking into its vacuum line by pulling the line checking for raw gas after the car's idling. I saw a youtube video where after a couple minutes idling with the vacuum line off, the gasoline starts coming out of the FPR.

 

[Triumph]

So I replaced the wires and fuel filter and the car seems to be starting fine so far. Fingers crossed.
I did smell like a plastic melting smell the first day, but I'm not sure if I got something on the engine while changing the wires or just the new wires giving off a smell. I tried looking where it was coming from but couldn't see anything. I do know the wires are exactly the same way as before.
I wasn't able to get my hands on a fuel pressure gauge, so i still not sure on that.
But as I right now things are running well but I will be keeping my eye on things. I've been reading on the FPR and I'm not sure if the recall was completed on this car or not. I do see two recall stickers on the inside of the engine bay.