My 95 V6 is hard to start in the morning after sitting all night. When it does start, a big cloud of grey smoke comes out. It smells like exhaust and it's not blue.

I have a new EGR, plugs, wires, O2 sensors, and headers. I'm wondering if my intake is just that dirty? I have a new high-flow cat so I know the cat isn't plugged.

I used 2 cans of throttle body cleaner (1 can last week and one can the week before) and when I was spraying the intake it was a constant stream of black. I've also used Seafoam Deep Creep with the same result.

I've also cleaned my IAC but I wonder if I should change that too. So, what do you guys think the issue is?

 

Check your fuel pressure when it is being "hard to start". Codes?

 

No engine codes. I'm not overly worried about it. The car is being stored in 2 months and I'm re-building another engine for the car over the winter.

I'm thinking fuel pump too, but the cloud of grey smoke is what makes me think it could be something else?

 

Check fuel pressure before starting in AM with a FI pressure gage. The system should be able to pressure throughout the night. If pressure is low with engine off, then the FI system has an internal fuel leak. Could be fuel pump check valve, leaky injector, or a bad pressure regulator. Due the smoke you mentioned, it is probably a leaky injector. The fuel leaks from the bad injector into the cylinder, and in the meantime the system pressure drops. When you start the engine in the AM you have a very rich cylinder and 5 starving cylinders. The car will be hard to start until the fuel pump has built enough pressure in the system. Try turning the key to the ON position several times before attempting to start. This will prime the system and the engine should start quicker.

 

I'll give it a shot. Can't wait to start rebuilding over the winter!