ok, perfect. Thanks!

 

so... apparently the car fixed itself. It stopped doing this all of a sudden. Thank god I was about to order a new fuel pump out of a 350z

 

I somewhat had your problem. First crank of the day would hesitate but always crank. then anything after that would crank just fine. It would also go away mysteriously from time to time. I found my problem last year i believe and no issues since. it was my Fuel Regulator.

 

the fuel regulator on our cars is integral with the pump, so unless you replaced the fuel pump, I doubt you're recalling correctly.

You may have done the fuel DAMPER, which is located on the rail and can cause similar issues.

 

Sorry Long write up, but worth reading. 05 G35 Sedan that had the dreaded fuel pressure bleed down. Turn key on fuel pump runs for two seconds shuts off (normal). Fuel pressure gauge indicated that pressure went up to around 30 psi, then immediately started dropping to around 15 psi. With engine running fuel pressure was 51 psi, which is normal. Immediately on engine shut down pressure would drop quickly to around 20 then on down to 2 psi within around 3 minutes. Car ran fine no codes, it was just the hesitation on starting. After car sat for awhile crank would be extended even longer. In this case I would turn key on to let pump prime, then turn key off, then back on for another prime. Sometimes this worked for an immediate (normal start), but sometimes it would take extra crank time for engine to start. Verified that there were no external fuel leaks. Replaced fuel pump and rubber grommet that connects fuel pump to fuel filter. Also replaced in tank fuel pressure regulator and new o-ring on pressure regulator. While I was there I inspected the o-ring on pump plastic housing that fits inside of fuel filter. Everything looked good, after all of this there was no change in issue. Suspected fuel injector leak, pulled plenum and fuel injectors. Ran fuel pump relay with scan tool pressure builds to 51 PSI, with no fuel leaking at any of the injectors. Put injectors back in, new gaskets on plenum, torqued to specs. The only thing that I had not replaced was the fuel filter, which I had replaced a couple of years ago with a Beck/Arnley from Rock Auto. I pulled the pump housing out again, for probably the seventh time. Disassembled the pump housing on the work bench. Pressure tested the fuel filter by plugging the hole with the rubber grommet in it. This is the hole that the fuel pump slides into. Also plugged the hole that fuel pressure regulator goes into. I plugged holes with my fingers. Applied 35 PSI from air compressor to filter. One of the seams at the top of the filter had a small seepage. I thought surely this is not enough to cause this issue. Ordered new filter from local Nissan dealership. Part # 16400-2Y505. It took a couple of days to get the filter. Installed the filter, primed fuel system a few times. Started the engine, ran rough until air was purged from system. I let the engine smooth out. Looked at pressure gauge while idling 51 PSI (normal). Shut the engine off, only leaked down to 48 PSI and stopped dropping. After 10 minutes it was still at 43 PSI. Problem fixed, it was the fuel filter allowing fuel pressure to bleed down. I sure hope this helps some else that is seeing the same issue.

 

Makes sense. Starting is fuel and spark related, pretty much the only non-major issue.