5.0 V8 hard to start

[96Green]

My '96 V8 frequently takes two attempts to start. On the first attempt, it just cranks. It will start on the 2nd attempt, but, sometimes hesitantly.

Before I start getting my hands dirty chasing this, any thoughts on possible causes?


Paying the pic tax:

 

[97-5.0]

Easiest and least dirty job would be change fuel filter and check fuel press with a gauge, if that checks out within spec then your gonna get dirty

 

[boominXplorer]

Try turning the key to run (not start) 3 times for 3 second intervals. Then try to start. If it fires up quicker then you have a weak fuel pump. The key trick primes the system up to operating pressure (as long as pump works)

 

[koda2000]

Try turning the key to run (not start) 3 times for 3 second intervals. Then try to start. If it fires up quicker then you have a weak fuel pump. The key trick primes the system up to operating pressure (as long as pump works)

Turning the key ON/OFF multiple times also often wakes up a bad fuel pump. Either way, probably time to replace it, along with the fuel filter and strainer. All of my 2000-2001 fuel pumps started giving me trouble around 200k. The only exception was our '97 Sport which went 260k+ on it's original, dated fuel pump. It was still working fine when I changed it.

 

[96Green]

Thanks guys! You've given me some ideas on where to start. I just tried triple-priming the fuel pump, and it started on the first try, but still took more cranking than it aught to. I'm going to start with a new fuel filter... I'm at 169k miles, and I have no service documentation from the PO. If that doesn't resolve anything, I'll throw a new pump in it.

Really not looking forward to dropping the tank.