problem starting 95 civic dx
 

i just replaced the fuel filter, fuel pump, and fuel pump strainer on my 95 civic dx, and at first it was starting and running fine, but now almost every other time i start it, it takes multiple tries. the started is engaging, my battery and alternator are good, and i can hear the fuel pump engaging when i turn the key, but it still takes several tries, and when it does finally start, it runs like crap and sounds like it's going to die until i give it more gas, and then it's fine. any suggestions on what to check next? my check engine light won't stay on consistently enough to have the code check done, so i'm at a loss on what to look at.

Have you checked for a vacuum leak?

ECU codes should be stored even after the light goes out. On the 95 you don't need a computer, just jumper the test plug and read them yourself.

have not yet checked for vacuum leaks, though I've suspected that I might have one. I've also had a weird problem with the way it shifts, it's not slipping or shifting hard, it just takes a long time to shift, like when i screwed up the timing on my crown vic. i have no tach so i have no clear idea of what the car is doing when it shifts, only that sometimes it takes forever to go from 2nd to 3rd gear. i bought this thing to be a project car, and damned if i didn't get a project. :p

I would start with checking for a vacuum leak. This sounds like what my car was doing prior to replacing a line that fell off of my intake. As far as the shifting, not sure about that one.

I will say that it def made the motor lag though*