Fuel pump question

[Bluefly]

I have noticed two or three times over the past several months when cranking the IO-540 in my Six 300 (cold start) that the engine seems to slowly starve for fuel immediately after the initial start. After priming, I crank with the electric fuel pump OFF as I have successfully for years. The times when I have noticed this issue as soon as the engine cranks it will slowly lose RPM as though it is starving for fuel. I’ll switch on the electric boost pump for about 5-10 seconds and it will catch up, then if I turn it OFF the engine will slowly lose RPM and I will repeat the process with the boost pump again. Usually after three cycles of this all goes to normal. This does not happen all of the time. My question is could this be a sign of an issue with the engine driven fuel pump?

 

[ycptechcom]

 

[NorthernAviation]

 

[flyguydon]

 

[Bluefly]

 

[ycptechcom]

 

[Mike Haraseviat]

 

[Bill GJPD]