Somebody help...lol...

i just bought an 88 Camaro, 2.8L.... it starts when it wants, i can smell fuel in the engine compartment, but sometimes it just doesnt turn over, it trys and trys but it acts as if its out of gas, i was thinking the fuel relay???? i thought the pump as well, but i thought that if the pump (fuel) was bad, it wouldnt start period, yet as i said its pretty moody and starts when it wants to!!

help???anyone have any ideas??

 

There are two electrical paths to the fuel pump. One through the fuel pump relay, the other through an oil pressure switch. The fuel pump relay controls the pump at start time, the oil press switch power the fuel pump after the oil pressure goes above 5 PSI. If the relay is badbut ifthe starter can spin the engine fast enough, the engine will still start because the oil pressure went high enough to close the oil pressure switch and power the pump. Try changing the relay & see if starts up quicker.

 

You said you smelled gas in the engine compartment? Sounds like a leak..is that 88 a CFI or do you have multiple injectors? In addition to what z28Pete said, your injectors could be leaking or the o-rings on the fuel rail..good luck