grand am hard to start without pushing gas pedal down

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hostilian

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Hello,
I have used this forum for all of the service work that I have done to this new to me 2003 grand am with the 2.2l 4cyl. I have now came across a problem that is stumping me. If I let the car sit for a couple hours, i have to crank on it for 5-7 seconds before it fires up (can be shortened if I press the gas pedal down). Once it fires up, it pures like a kitten and if I turn the car off and try to start it, if fires right up. I also can not fill up the fuel tank very fast. It is almost like the tank is under too much pressure and wont let fuel go in. It takes like 15mins to fill it up. I dont know if the two issues are some how related. Fuel pressure is 55 psi while running and about 57psi once the key is turned to the on position. I have preplaced the fuel filter, evap purge solenoid, idle air control valve to no help. I have a code scanner but im not getting any codes. Any help would be great. Thanks
-darin
 
check the fuel pressure regulator vacuum line for gasoline, if found replace the regulator, Could have a leaky injector.
 
I should have put this in the original post. I have already pulled the vac line off the regulator and there is nothing there. I also pulled the whole fuel rail and cleaned and tested the injectors. Both of these check out fine. Unless the regulator doesnt have to have fuel present in the vac line to be bad.
 
how long does the fuel pressure stay high after you turn the key off?
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It been a few days but finally had a chance to look at the car again. Here is what the fuel pressure is doing.
54psi - Key is turned to the on then off position to kick on the fuel pump
50psi - After 1 mins of rest
48psi - After 2 mins of rest
46psi - After 3 mins
43psi - After 4 mins
41psi - After 5 mins
36psi - After 10 mins
31psi - After 15 mins
25psi - After 30 mins

Sound normal?
 
after 30 minutes remove the spark plugs and see if one or more of them is soaked with gasoline.
 
Pulled all the plugs and there wasnt a one that had fuel on it. They are however ghost white. Shouldnt they be a nice light brown?
 
with all the stuff they put in gas these days the color has become less of a true indicator. As long as it is the correct type and heat range plug you should be ok. If you are down to 25 PSI in 30 minutes after a couple of hours you will be down to zero. When you go to start the car, do you leave the key in the run position until you hear the pump shut off and then try starting it? Have you checked the IAC solenoid and throttle body for carbon build up?
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Turn the key to on postion wait a second then fire it up. (or try to fire it up) I thought that the IAC was the problem at the start, so it has been replaced and the throttle body has been cleaned and looks like i just bought it. Is there anyway this would have anything to do with not being able to fill the gas tank up. It really does seem like a check valve isnt allowing fuel to go it or pressured air/fuel vapor to release. I dont know, I have just tired everything I can think of. Maybe a timing issue?
 
You mentioned the code scanner isnt geting any codes but is the check engine light on? Usually an issue with the evap system throws a code. You can check the charcoal canister vent valve in the back. I just saw a video where an insect built a nest in the vent tube causing trouble filling the tank.
 
Thank you Melsg5. I found that video of the hornets that made that nest in the guys vent line and checked mine. This car however doesnt have just a vent line, it is some kind of regulated breather system. I pulled it a part and it was completely full of dirt. Cleaned it all up and went to the pump today. The condition is MUCH BETTER, however it is still lacking. Thank you so very much for suggesting that video. The hard starting condition still exists but I believe that I am close now as maybe the whole system has been filled with dirt and needs to be cleaned and or replaced. I will do a few more test with pulling different hoses and see what I can come up with. Thanks again for leading me in the right direction.
 
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