Symptom: On start up the engine turns over more than normal and then starts. Often the engine turns over about 8-10 times before it starts. Sometimes, but not very often, it starts immediately with 1 or 2 engine turn overs.

This sounds like a fuel issue to me, possibly part of the design. Two different 1990s with 3.3Ls doing the same thing sounds systematic.

Any thoughts or similar experiences with this generation of Chrysler's minivan?

 

that sounds completely by chance to have 2 doing the same thing so here's what i want you to do then report back. cycle key a couple times prior to attempting to crank

 

Thanks for the quick response. That's been done. No difference observed in starting. Same old, same old.

 

So like what's yalls fuel pressure read when ya go to start?

 

No pressure tests have been done, to my knowledge. These two vehicles belong to an acquaintance about 10 minutes away, who is a retired aircraft maintenance mechanic.
I suspect there is a fuel delay of some sort, for some reason (maybe by design), at startup. Wouldn't expect any sort of flooding / too rich mixture but must find out if there is any indication of that from the exhaust at startup.
I suggested he rule out spark by hooking up an inline neon timing light to see if that indicated anything meaningful on startup.

 

so the man that said to cycle the key he's right on for the fuel thing but yall eliminated pump drain back so if yall put on a gauge then ya know if ya got a fuel pressure prob. sure seems awful hard to be the middle man on the internet trying to solve someones problem

 

Yeh, I haven't seen him for a couple of days so I don't know what else he has done in the meantime. That starting delay has been there for a long time, it's not just a recent problem.

I think firstly he is wondering if the delay is normal operation for that year / engine. Any insight there?