Starts then dies

[GN HEAD]

I have aquired an '85 Buick Century Limited, with the 3.8 FI engine. I know it's not a turbo car, but bear with me.... I know these engines.(see sig.) my problem is that when the car sits after it has been run (hot) the fuel seems to vaporize in the fuel lines, because it will start right up, but then die in about 20 seconds...then sputter and cough for about 30 seconds or so..then it runs great.... I am not running any crap fuel....no ethanol... Any info out there on this.....I changed the fuel filter and when I released the fuel pressure off the system, at the fuel rail, there seemed to be plenty of "hissing" (air) along with the fuel. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[gndoug]

more than likely the fuel pump is going to be the problem. When you turn the key on and the pump primes, it gives it enough pressure for the car to start, but after it gets running and requires pressure AND volume, the pump cant keep up. If you get a fuel pressure gauge with a bleeder button, you can check the pressure at prime, then running, and you should be able to press down the bleeder button, get good volume bleeding out, and the engine SHOULD stay running. If the pressure or volume is low, or the engine dies when you bleed off, then its definitly the fuel pump.

 

[GN HEAD]

Don't think its the fuel pump....the car runs out great and accelerate up long hills, where the volume would be an issue, more than at idle.....