Astro Van Starts Poorly

romeroom · March 14, 2009

1995 Astro van just started to struggle to start--warm or cold. Lots of cranking, but after it starts it runs fine. However, after it starts there is strong smell of gas. Also, it seems to start a little better if I press the gas pedal--like the old days. This makes me think that the fuel mixture is too rich and the pressing down the gas pedal lets more air in, helping with the mixture and starting. But, I could be wrong. Is there a fuel pressure regulator on this van somewhere that could be acting up?

Thanks for our help.

(A couple years ago it did the same thing, but then discovered it needed a new fuel pump. Back then, however, there was no fuel smell after it started.)

rickpilgrim · March 14, 2009

A few years back one of the neighbors 4.3L TBI S-10 had the same problem. First we replaced the fuel pressure requlator (which is on the back of the throttle body) and it helped some but the injectors were dripping fuel after shutdown so I ended up replacing the complete TBI unit with a salvage yard one. His always displayed the check engine light untill we did that.

1995 Astro van just started to struggle to start--warm or cold. Lots of cranking, but after it starts it runs fine. However, after it starts there is strong smell of gas. Also, it seems to start a little better if I press the gas pedal--like the old days. This makes me think that the fuel mixture is too rich and the pressing down the gas pedal lets more air in, helping with the mixture and starting. But, I could be wrong. Is there a fuel pressure regulator on this van somewhere that could be acting up?

Thanks for our help.

(A couple years ago it did the same thing, but then discovered it needed a new fuel pump. Back then, however, there was no fuel smell after it started.)

romeroom · March 14, 2009

Thanks for your reply. Interestingly, no "check engine" light with me.

I'm doing all I can to avoid getting into the TBI until I absolutely have to.

A few years back one of the neighbors 4.3L TBI S-10 had the same problem. First we replaced the fuel pressure requlator (which is on the back of the throttle body) and it helped some but the injectors were dripping fuel after shutdown so I ended up replacing the complete TBI unit with a salvage yard one. His always displayed the check engine light untill we did that.

1995 Astro van just started to struggle to start--warm or cold. Lots of cranking, but after it starts it runs fine. However, after it starts there is strong smell of gas. Also, it seems to start a little better if I press the gas pedal--like the old days. This makes me think that the fuel mixture is too rich and the pressing down the gas pedal lets more air in, helping with the mixture and starting. But, I could be wrong. Is there a fuel pressure regulator on this van somewhere that could be acting up?

Thanks for our help.

(A couple years ago it did the same thing, but then discovered it needed a new fuel pump. Back then, however, there was no fuel smell after it started.)

superjim · March 14, 2009

There is a vacuum line on the fuel pressure regulator.

Pull that line and see if there is any evidence of gas in it AT ALL.

There should be NONE.

If there is...replace it.

romeroom · March 14, 2009

There is a vacuum line on the fuel pressure regulator.
Pull that line and see if there is any evidence of gas in it AT ALL.

There should be NONE.

If there is...replace it.

Thanks for the reply, Texas Jim. Can any of you guys helping me with my problem give me a diagram or tell me exactly where the fuel regulator is? I've done just about every other piece of repair work on this van except get into the TBI. Any suggestions here would be extremely appreciated. Remember, this is a "mini" van, where half the engine is in the passenger cabin and the other half is under the hood, and the other parts are accessible through the wheel well. Fun. Fun. Fun.

Also, are Delco parts really that necessary with this vehicle?

By the way, thanks for tuning in to my problem so soon. I've not had this kind of response from any other forum.

VR021302 · March 14, 2009

A friend of my dad's had an s-10 that had the fuel lines in the intake leaking and caused the same problem. We just got fuel line from the local auto parts store and replaced the line. never had another problem.

superjim · March 14, 2009

There is a vacuum line on the fuel pressure regulator.
Pull that line and see if there is any evidence of gas in it AT ALL.

There should be NONE.

If there is...replace it.

Thanks for the reply, Texas Jim. Can any of you guys helping me with my problem give me a diagram or tell me exactly where the fuel regulator is? I've done just about every other piece of repair work on this van except get into the TBI. Any suggestions here would be extremely appreciated.

Also, are Delco parts really that necessary with this vehicle?

I think the FPR is at the REAR of the throttle body.

Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

I was lucky and never had to do that particular job on my 99 Astro Van.

And as for AC Delco parts...for the FPR, I do think that I would stick with the OEM for that, not aftermarket.

I think that you will need to take the doghouse out to get good access to it...well as good as you CAN get.

ZZ327 · March 14, 2009

if theyre anything like the TBIs from the pickups. Its at the rear of the Throttle body.

Jegs has them for sale for around 80 bucks.

Heres a bunch of diagrams

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt...nUS298%26um%3D1

romeroom · March 16, 2009

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions. I'm going to probably tackle this next Saturday. I'll keep you posted with what I find and post pictures if necessary.

superjim · March 16, 2009

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions. I'm going to probably tackle this next Saturday. I'll keep you posted with what I find and post pictures if necessary.

Hope we helped a little bit.

Keep us posted on what you find.