I have a 99' Grand Caravan 3.0L. It had troubles starting in the morning (had to try 10-15 times to get it started) but once it started it ran perfectly fine. We changed the fuel pump and now it only takes about 3-4 trys to get it started in the morning. The oil filter was changed a year ago. It also had a tune up last year as well. It only has trouble in the morning but once it starts it runs good and through out the day there is no problems to start it back up again, the problem only comes up in the morning when its been parked all night. It has 195 kms. Please Help!

 

Welcome to DF
I would hook a fuel pressure gauge and then try starting the engine in the mornings. And post the readings. Also is the check engine lite on?

 

Thanks

No there is no check engine light. Car seems to be perfectly fine once it turns on. Just getting it started takes 3-4 trys (now that the fuel pump has been changed). (My mechanic can't seem to figure out why its still having this issue because all seems normal once its on). Where would I get a fuel pressure gauge?

 

Any parts stores should carry them, Sears, autozone or petboys.

 

did the fuel filter get changed with the pump?

 

i never heard of "petboys".

op--- oil filter changed a year ago?

I'm no mechanic, but I don't quite get the 3-4 tries? this explanation can be open to all kinds of interpretation. some people state they have to try starting the car 3-4 times to get it to crank over, some say it takes 3-4 times of cranking over before starting, some say 3-4 tries of starting where each time it kinda fires but stalls as soon as the key is released.

From what I read about this problem, a fuel filter plugged would cause acceleration problems like intake backfire under load. If there was a filter restriction, then the OP wouldn't have normal running after getting the car started.

The best thing to do is take it to a different quality mechanic. a fresh set of eyes can really help solve a problem. Too often people get tunnel vision and after a point of frustration, just give up.

 

It's 3-4 cranks before it starts. Once it catches and turns on, it stays on. This morning for example it took a few more for some reason. But once it starts I could turn it off for a couple hours go back to it and its fine and starts with no issues. So through the day I have no issues unless it stands for 10+ hours.

I figured it wouldn't be the fuel filter because there are no issues with the acceleration. I have taken it to another mechanic and they just keep bringing up other options of what it "could be" but I can't afford all the different options for just a "maybe it will fix it". I was hoping someone on here would have had/seen/heard of this problem. Im lost and have been dealing with it but Im worried it will cause more problems by starting it this way everyday.