many cranks to start

[mtrdrms]

I have an 87 350 FI. I just had the motor rebuilt but that didnt affect my problem. Whether it is hot or cold the truck takes like 2 seconds of cranking to finally start running on its own. Its a little embarrasing and I cant seem to make it go away. Any suggestions? Other than that the motor is tip-top.

 

[k20]

2 seconds isnt that long lol. Is it cranking over at a good speed? Is it sluggish turning over, like a weak batt, or batt cables? Also, is the fuel system pressurizing when u switch the key to on, b4 you turn it to start?

 

[75-K5]

That's just how TBI motors work.

 

[clarkjw24]

Maybe timming? How about the air idle sensor, its like the choke but takes a few seconds to read and set for cranking.

 

[dyeager535]

I'm with you on the fuel pressure.

Do you hear the pump run when the key is turned to "run", before you start the engine?

 

[BigOrange90Jimmy]

Don't the oil pressure sending units have something to do with start-up? I believe I heard that it won't let the engine fire until it senses enough oil pressure.

 

[1979jimmy350]

on the tbi engines if the the fuel relay fails the fuel pump will not kick in until the oil pressure sensor reads 4 psi of pressure usually resulting in longer than normal cranking times

 

[dyeager535]

Yeah, as stated, if relay fails, oil pressure is what will "start" the fuel pump.

Thus, if the pump doesn't prime when key is turned to run, the relay is suspect.

 

[clarkjw24]

Yep, I believe we have a winner. I'm voting fuel relay also.

 

[mtrdrms]

The pump sounds like it is priming the system. I can hear it anyway. What is the fuel relay and how do I test it?

 

[87XJCO]

suggestion. turn the key to on for 2 seconds and then turn off. then crank engine nomally and see if it starts right up. This runs the fuel pump briefly and the injectors cycle once. Might eliminate some of you r possible causes.