Cold engine still hard to start

[Roadking_]

1994 Sunbird LE 2.0L manual.

The original reason this car sat for 4 years was this same problem.

What befuddles me is once the car has been started it restarts quickly.
like as if it was reminded oh yea! I'm a car and am supposed to run!

The symptoms are as you crank the engine it tries to start. The revs pick up and it sputters if you stop key. Visualize saying C'mon baby as you crank it.
Does this about 3 times before it starts.

I have replaced the fuel pump. Also turned key on and off to try build up fuel pressure. No help. Right now it is starting. Just need to troubleshoot further.

Its my recollection that the fuel pump produces 50psi to overcome injectors, then has a regulator that drops pressure to 7 or 8 psi for run pressure via vacuum operated regulator. would that regulator cause the fuel not to be getting to the rail before starting? Sounds like its starving for fuel

 

[melsg5]

You have gone through the basics, plugs, air filter and fuel filter?
You have checked that the engine temperature sensor is working?
You have cleaned the throttle body and IAC?
You are sure the EGR valve is working correctly and has no carbon build up?

 

[Roadking_]

You have gone through the basics, plugs, air filter and fuel filter?( fuel filter not recently, but last time I worked on car-4 years ago- but didn't run much afterwards)
You have checked that the engine temperature sensor is working?(new & Yes)
You have cleaned the throttle body and IAC?(yes cleaned TB, New IAC)
You are sure the EGR valve is working correctly and has no carbon build up?(no)

Would the EGR cause hard cold starting? never thought of that

 

[melsg5]

google "egr causes hard cold start"

______________________________

 

[Roadking_]

update!
I'm a dummy head! pulled spark plugs out and they were plumb wore out! Guess I never did pull one out. I must have just checked for spark with a loose plug.

Oh well happens to the best of us. Leona starts and runs like a champ!
One symptom that led me to overlook the spark plugs was it happened all of a sudden.
didn't get worse over time. Maybe that's a trait of electronic ignition?

 

[cammerjeff]

Glad you got it figured out.