2000 Safari extended cranking after cold soak

[kefinnerty]

I have a 2000 gmc safari and every morning I have trouble getting to start. it seems I have to crank it over several times before it starts. it doesn't seem like the weather has anything to do with it. I'm going to start by putting a new cap and rotor on. does anyone have any other suggestions?

[gmtech68]

have someone check fuel pressure overnight. Bad fuel pressure regulator, bad pump or leaking injector can do this. Injectors have been known to stick shut on these engines but usually it runs rough cold too.

[Jamie]

Changing the cap and rotor is a good start, eliminate the basics. ASSuming all the other 'basic' tune up stuff is good, fuel pressure COULD do it but I think once the key is turned on there should be full pressure, check to make sure. I just had to do head gaskets on mine, before I did, the longer it sat, the longer it took to start. Over night wasn't too bad, a couple of days, took some cranking. BTW, the leak was exhaust into the coolant, black soot in the coolant.

[kefinnerty]

well wouldn't a head gasket show some sort of misfire? what are some other signs I would be looking if it was a head gasket than low coolant?

[Mr_Bowtie]

Any other problems once the Van is running?
Check engine light on?

Check the fuel pressure for sure after it sits for a while, in the morning, when you first shut it off watch it for a few minutes, and while its running. Takes more fuel pressure to start the Van. Does the pump prime and stop before you crank over the motor? Try to turn the key listen for the pump to stop running then crank the motor over. Sounds like fuel pressure isn't being built up enough until you crank the motor over a few times. Which I have seen been caused by a system that leaks down over night. There are a couple things that can do that. A buddy had a check valve in the fuel pump assembly that wasn't holding the fuel in the line causing a bad cold start problem. Changed just the fuel pump module then found the real problem.

A headgaket would be smoking white exhaust and smell like coolant. This can go on for a while before you notice the coolant being low. If you are getting exhaust into the coolant most times you would know it by the overflow tank bubbling or overflowing on you. Plus there would be air in the system and you would have crappy heat and the motor would be overheating.

It sounds like fuel pressure problems to me. Just gotta determine that then you can move forward with possible problems.