I, like many others on this board, have been having hard starts. I think my problem may be a lack of fuel pressure at startup due to a leaky injector or bad check valve in the fuel pump. I have read that I can test this by getting an in-line fuel pressure gauge. Where is the best place to get one of these and what range should the gauge read so that I can accurately tell if my pressure is too low? What should the pressure be just before startup?

 

my car starts hard also. i dont know maybe the spark plugs need replacing or somthin.
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Try turning the key 'on' for 5-10 seconds before hitting 'start'. This will build up fuel pressure if a leaking injector has lost it. If a fuel pump is weak, you'll also notice decreased power on hard acceleration or high loads like 5th gear up a hill.

The pump should be putting out about 43 psi with the key on, engine off, and around 34-36 psi while idling. I don't know, but you might be able to borrow a gauge from Autozone or take it to a friendly shop who can check pressure in a few minutes. Low pressure could also indicate a clogged fuel filter.

 

Thanks for the info. I was going to buy an in-line gauge off of e-Bay but someone else bought it.