I have a 2000 Dodge Caravan with a 3.3L. I have an issue with long cranking before starting and a strong fuel smell, which quickly goes away after it gets started.

I have changed out the air filter, coil, plugs and crankshaft position sensor. I put a fuel pressure gauge on it this morning and it is just under 60 at idle. After turning the engine off, the fuel pressure gradually drops. I can detect no leaks in the fuel line. I am left thinking that it must be the fuel pump.

My questions:
1) Is the fuel pressure supposed to drop after the engine is stopped? I am thinking not, but just wanted to be sure.

2) Does this sound like the fuel pump?

Thanks
Jim

 

Welcome to DF
The long crank maybe a bad fuel pump. The fuel smell is because the spark plugs are starting to load up with fuel.

 

Thanks for the warm welcome. I've been active on a few motorcycle forums for the last several years...I've been fortunate enough to have been able to quickly diagnose my Caravan until now.

After sitting for about 30 minutes, the fuel pressure tested on the schraeder valve on the front fuel rail is almost zero.

I have very sensitive nose to fuel, and I cannot detect any fuel at any time other than the strong smell at startup. I am still thinking fuel pump.

 

Pressure regulator!

 

Where on the van would I find that?

 

part of the fuel pump

 

I neglected to mention that my van just passed 180K miles....and is going strong. I am thinking with that mileage if I am going to drop the tank, I should replace the entire fuel pump assembly, not just the pressure regulator.

 

its all one big unit

you can replace components of the fuel sending unit but rarely people do, just change the whole thing an u get new pump,filter,and pressure regulator
oh to answer your question if the fuel press is to drop off?
the answer is not for a long time
this allows you to restart the car easily
the press reg holds pressure and returns excess fuel back to the tank so if it bleeds off pressure the symptoms are just what you describe seeing it drop off

fuel press should be a min of 49psi so with your 60 I'd say ur pump is good and reg is putting the required pressure, but the fuel shouldnt return (press drop) so quickly

have you inspected all the lines for leaks or wetness??

 

2002 Caravan with 3.3L would not start. Continues to crank but does not fire. Similar problem to my 1997 Intrepid with 3.5L V8 > diagnosed bad camshaft position sensor and replaced > started fine.

Caravan ECM reported codes for cylinder misfire in cylinders 1, 2, & 3. Also large and small vacuum leak (which I think is tied to a bad gas cap seal and vacuum hose connected to intake manifold). P0353, P0352, P0351, P0442, P0455.

Replaced cam sensor and fixed hoses > no start. Checked ECM wiring connectors - reseated fine. Listened to fuel pump start-up and sounds normal.

Checked for spark > none.

Had van towed to a shop and diagnosed with no spark in 3 cylinders > one plug pulled out > strong fuel odor. Mechanic siphoned out ~1 cup of gas via plug hole. Said that cylinders are full of gasoline. Mechanic could not pin-point the exact problem for $87 but said it would take $500-$1500 to go through piece by piece and fix it.

I am wondering if my problem is related to original problem in this thread - perhaps a bad ASD or fuel pump relay or bad fuel pump. Maybe the pressure regulator. A signal is being generated by ECM to continue dumping fuel while cranking even though no spark is being generated. It could be a number of 25 different things. Fuel pressure at rail unknown at this point - not sure if cyl 1,2 3 are tied to the same rail as a starting point for troubleshooting.

 

Welcome to DF
The P351,352, and P353 are coil driver codes. You need to find out why you have those codes. If you need the PDF file to diagnose these codes, send me you email address.