Greetings all, hope I can get some help.

I have a 1990 Astro V6 4.3L 262CID FI AWD with 158,000 miles on the vehicle and 30,000 miles on a replacement engine.

Here's my problem.

It cranks OK but doesn't start at first. After two or three tries it starts but stumbles and dies.
After two or three more tries, with a tap on the gas pedal,
it will finally idle but the RPM's drop off and it dies. It then will start again with the same effort but if I don't give it gas it will die. If I do give it gas it will smooth out a bit but when shifted into gear unless I feather the gas it dies and I need to repeat the start process again.
When I manage to get out on the street, unless I feather the gas it stumbles and will die.
After about a mile(the distance to my mechanic) it runs normally and will start with little or no problem.

Fluids are all at normal levels and have replaced the rotor,dist cap(carbon build up) and the idle air control motor.

He tested the fuel pressure and said it was OK. What the pressure was I don't know.

Any thoughts on what the heck is going on here or what needs to be checked next?

Thanks in advance.

 

might want to check the egr to see if it is stuck open a little or a piece of carbon has lodged in the egr.

 

EGR clean and apparently functioning normally.

What should the fuel pressure be at the rail?

I was given a GMC TSB # 91-6E-17 that indicates a PROM problem with warm -up idle speed.

Any thoughts?

 

Fuel pump replaced.
Problem solved.

 

Fuel pumps, they really do make an engine go. Glad to hear you got it running again. Did you use an ACDelco/Delphi pump? If not, be prepared to replace it again in a year or two. Aftermarket pumps just don't last in these vans. Also be sure to change the fuel filter once a year or every 20k miles, helps the pump live a longer life.

 

I read enough forum posts on several forums to take the hint that a ACDelco/Delphi pump was the only way to go.

I have found a good, honest shop that I was more than happy to pay $429.45 (including a gas tank fill up) to do the job. Drove me home when I dropped the van at the shop, and brought the van back to me when he was done.

 

Sure, take the easy way out.

 

Hey, I've only been around these vans for 14 years now.

 

Once upon a time the Memorial Day weekend was my annual maintenance on my CJ5.
Timing chain, water pump, pushrods, belt and hoses all replaced in about 6hrs.
If I could still do it I would.
Unfortunately, my back no longer lets me crawl under vehicles.
Actually I can get down, It's the getting back that's the problem.