Leaning Out?
 

Lately my 95 GT has been starting kind of hard. When its cold and I try to start it, it doesn't fire on the first try. I have to crank it a few times before it will catch. Its been doing it for a few weeks. Then last week after I reved it, it hiccuped out the exhaust. Not full blown back-fires, but little coughs/hiccups. Then yesterday I nailed it on the highway to pass a semi and it started to ping/detonate. To me that sounds like its running lean.

The car is stock, stock timing, stock exhuast, stock everything but I only run the good gas in it, 93 octane. My check engine light hasn't come on and I can't seem to pull any codes from it. Anyone have any ideas what it could be or where I should start looking?

check the fuel filter it maybe clogged or clogging? it also could be dirty fuel injectors . it might be a bad regulator ? itcan be that the pump is on its why out or the pump screen is getting clogged. thats all I can think of ....

You really need to get a pressure tester and check your fuel pressure. it definately sounds like a problem in the delivery of fuel to the engine.

Take care,
-Chris

Chris,

Will I need to get a special tester since I am dealig with fuel?

Steve

Sears: $25
Fuel Injection Fuel Pressure Tester

It's a guage with fittings that attaches to the schrader valve, and allows you to test your pressure under various conditions, as well as see how fast it bleeds down, and where it's bleeding down.

Take care,
-Chris

Sounds exactly like the problem I was having a while back when my fuel pump went south on me. Do you hear it prime when you turn the key to on, just before you start it? Incase you are unaware what it sounds like, its a whine noise that comes from the rear of the car. Listen for it, and if you dont hear it then the pump is bad. They are not very expensive and are fairly easy to install.

good luck with it,
-Drew

Yeah, it primes. The trick I have been trying is to let it fully prime and kick off before I start the car. It seems to work, but I can't tell, because sometimes I forget and it starts fine. Then other times it takes 2 or 3 turns of the key even if I let it prime.

What made me think I had a problem was when I drove my brother 94 GT (the one in my profile) and that thing starts the instant you turn the key.

I am going to get the tester from Sears this weekend and see what I can find out.

Steve