Help Please, Starting Problem
 

I have a 1998 A8 Quattro 4.2. Please give me a hand, money is kind of tight and I'm worried about this.
2 days ago I got in the car and it cranked over about 4-5 times and didn't start. Turned it off and tried again, on the second time it started. It has now been doing this every time. Crank it over, turn it off and try it again and it starts. Now it starts on the second or third try. What do you think?
Yeasterday I had the fuel filter replaced, same issues.

Fuel Pump? Fuel Pressure?
I did smell some gas last night, maybe because of the fuel filter being changed?
Fuel Leak?

Thank you so much for you advise,

Jonny

p.s. Never had a issue before, always starts on first try.

Did you check all of your fittings to make sure you don't have a leak? or if you are missing a gasket. Also did you clean the old areas before adding the new fuel filter? Once I had a old rubber ring still stuck and it caused a leaking issue.

that is were I would start.

You should not be smelling gas. Find that leak. Excess fuel from a filter change would have evaporated.

Check the fuel regulator. If you remove the vacuum line it should NOT leak fuel. If it does it's shot.

Check your fuel pressure. Make sure the pump is not on it's way out or a line crimped restricting flow.

If you crank it over and it does not start. pull a spark plug and see if it's wet (getting fuel) have your tools together first.