Is it needed for FI guys to let the fuel pump prime before start Options

[carcus]

Just wondering. I have Bosch FI at Colorado altitude. My car will not start up right away unless I turn the key and wait about 10 seconds for the fuel pump to prime. All plugs and wires new, new fuel pump, and fuel filter. Moroso electronic conversion. New battery. I try to drive the car once a week. Just looking for advice. Car is a 1976 2.0 with 1973 2.0 engine. OEM fuel injection.

[McMark]

If you listen carefully, a lot of new cars will run the fuel pump for a few seconds when the driver's door is opened in anticipation of starting the car.

So it's normal, not just for our cars, but for all FI cars.

Fuel pumps should have a check valve to keep pressure from bleeding off quickly. I test drove a car yesterday before I left the shop, and now 15hours later it's still got full pressure in the lines. Almost none has bled off. This makes the next startup easier (without priming the pump). But if your system is bleeding off pressure over a couple hours or worse, then you'll have more need for priming the system before starting. If it is bleeding off, you may need a better quality pump (some cheap ones don't include the check valve) or you can possibly add an inline check valve. Just make sure the check valve is a bit oversize to avoid possible flow restrictions.