267kbird

New to the forum love it. Got a 97 firebird lt1 auto. Starts hard sometimes but runs fine doesn't die or anything

hrcslam

Check fuel pressure.

You can also try priming the fuel by cycling the key to on (not start) a few times before cranking it. If that works it's either you fuel pump or fuel pressure regulator.

267kbird

I guess I wondering what could possibly making it take a bit for it to start doesn't do it all the time

hrcslam

Again, check fuel pressure.

Cycling the key as I stated above is one way to do it without a gauge.

267kbird

Also unsure on how the fuel pump if working properly is suppose to sound? And yes if I prime it a couple times it's seem to pop over sooner

hrcslam

It sounds like a running pump. Well, now you know it's fuel delivery related. At this point you want to hook up a fuel pressure gauge at see what the pressure is with the key on engine off, and how fast it drops.

You also want to pull the vacuum line to the FPR and see if it smells of fuel.

267kbird

ok will tell after I do that thanks. also the other day the throttle stuck wide open wouldn't come back till I shut car off did it twice?

hrcslam

Time to clean the throttle body.

267kbird

it was weird didn't seem to have all the get up and go it usually does when the throttle stuck down?

267kbird

car has 267000 miles . is the FPR pretty common to go out before a fuel pump?

hrcslam

The only thing that can stick the pedal on these cars is a mechanical interference. Either the floor mat, the cable, or the blades are dirty. Most commonly is the blades.

hrcslam

No. Its usually the fuel pump. But at 267k miles, anything can fail.

267kbird

What would you recommend for cleaning the throttle body taking it off? Or any simpler route on cleaning the blades?

Kcutty85

iTrader: (3)

They sell throttle body cleaner at autozone , alot easier to just remove it (4 bolts , couple sensor connectors and couple hoses ) and clean it , just watch removing the coolant hoses ,tends to want to fall on the opti .

267kbird

What would you recommend for a new throttle body? Wouldn't mind a bigger one if I didn't have.to go thru everything else to put one on?