Very strange symptoms for a 95 Firebird

Tiny
SHWELLS
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
  • 160,000 MILES
I have a 1995 Firebird that lately has been extremely puzzling, the issue is starting. When the car is cold, it may not start perfect, but it doesn't have hesitation from the engine, it just takes a second, when I just get done running it and its hot, it starts like its brand new, but when its been sitting for at least a half hour or so, starting it is horrible. The engine will catch and start the first time then the rpms will sputter and it will dip and continue to dive and come back until it finally dies, which also creates a horrible sound and smell of unburnt gas. Sometimes I can give it a bit of throttle and try to bring the rpms up while its sputtering and it works, but that's the hard part, sometimes I cant get above 1500 rpms and as soon as I let off the gas or give it a bit too much, it dies.
after the first start when this problem happens, it will catch then die immediately, not sputtering, just dying. I can use starting fluid, and that makes it catch and run a bit longer but makes it sputter(with sound) and still dies. Once the car is started and stays running, the rpms stabilize and I am able to run the car with out a problem. Since the problem has occurred I have put a new belt with tension-er, new thermostat, new water pump, new timing chain (its timed I promise), new coolant, oil change, new IAC, compression test, Fuel injector test, and Ive cleaned the throttle body out. I have yet to do a fuel pressure test and a vacuum pressure test.
the EGR valve on her is kaput, but I don't think that would cause this much of a problem, seeing as the code has been thrown multiple times before any of this happened. There's a smell of gasoline in my oil, which is why I did the compression and injector tests, but I'm not loosing pressure in the cylinder, and every injector checks out to be working well. Its mind boggling and I don't know where to go from here, I've asked a few others and they say fuel filter, fuel pump, spark plugs, coil pack(s), crank sensor, vacuum leak, EGR, or all of them put together. I just need a few suggestions that aren't going to run too much money to fix.
I'm eighteen but I know a lot about my car, I've done all of the work to it, and I assure you this problem didn't come immediately after I rebuilt the cooling system. I wish I could attach a video because its very hard to explain. Please help! I along with anyone else I've asked have no idea where to go from here, anything would be much appreciated.
Wednesday, March 21st, 2012 AT 3:02 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
Based on what you listed, I think you have a lazy fuel pump. It isn't producing enough pressure to start it cold, but does when it is warm. Check fuel pressure and make sure it is within spec
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Wednesday, March 21st, 2012 AT 3:35 AM

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