Have ther fuel pressure checked and change the fuel filter.

 

Had it at an Auto shop today (follow-up from brake repairs the other day). The tech told me that I have a slight engine mis-fire going on, it's noticeable at idle. He said that a tune-up with fresh set of plugs and wires would fix it. Thoughts?

 

I had the same problem and had to replace fuel pump. It just quit one day on the roaqd. Good luck.

 

yea sounds like a weak fuel pump or a dirty filter to me like lzn197 said cause your losing fuel pressure somewhere when the engine is not running

 

Sounds like it might be the fuel pressure regulator. Check the regulator vacuum line when it's running and see if there's gasoline in there. If so, time to replace. There's a lot of threads on here regarding it and it is an easy fix. If no gasoline in the vacuum line, check the fuel rail pressure. AutoZone and the other stores rent a fuel pressure gauge kit if you don't have one.

I wouldn't replace the fuel pump right off unless the engine-on fuel rail pressure is not within spec or you have engine-off leak-down not caused by the regulator (could be a check valve at the pump in the tank if I remember right).

Never a bad idea to do plugs, wires, and filters on a truck new to you either...

 

+1 on the fuel pressure. Try putting the key in the on position for about 5 seconds and let the fuel pump get up to pressure. Then see if it starts on the first try. Had a leaky O ring in my old jeep that was in the gas tank. It would allow the fuel pressure to drop and the ECM would not fire until the pressure was up. Would just have a long crank time or two cranks unless I gave it the 5 second pause before starting.

LGSONE

 

x2 on either the regulator or the pump...had a 04 6.0 a few years ago do the same thing..ended up being fuel pump..and they were nitorious for it...do a fuel pressure test ..watch for bleed off!

 

Just changed my pump for the exact same problem. Check valve in pump was allowing pressure to drop instantaneously upon shutdown. Regulator did not have sign of fuel in vacuum line and no fuel coming out of connector when running

 

Check valve in pump was allowing pressure to drop instantaneously upon shutdown.

I was thinking this. Check your fuel pressure including a leak-down and let us know how it goes. Goodluck again.

 

another thing worth looking at is fuel injectors. Some may be clogged not delivering enough fuel to get a successful crank on the first turnover. These typically should be changed every 100,000 miles along with the fuel pump anyway for maintenance purposes. Understandable is an expensive preventative maintenance but it is what it is.

 

another thing worth looking at is fuel injectors. Some may be clogged not delivering enough fuel to get a successful crank on the first turnover. These typically should be changed every 100,000 miles along with the fuel pump anyway for maintenance purposes. Understandable is an expensive preventative maintenance but it is what it is.

Um? No!. Wouldn't you think the same fuel injectors that are clogged when they are cold are also clogged when they are hot and running???

 

Hi all,

I haven't gotten around to testing any of this yet, but I did notice that when I turn the ignition key on for five seconds and the pump runs, that I can hear a hissing noise from somewhere near the fuel tank. It gradually decreases in sound over time. To me, this is a clear sign I have a pressure leak somewhere. What would be the best way to isolate such a leak?

 

Ide say 2 people! If the leak is external they could shoot it with windex and confirm?

 

Did you ever figure it out? I'm curious, as my 5.3 does the exact same thing. I'm thinking fuel filter, unless the guy I bought it from lied to me. He said he had recently put in a fuel pump.

 

Did you ever figure it out? I'm curious, as my 5.3 does the exact same thing. I'm thinking fuel filter, unless the guy I bought it from lied to me. He said he had recently put in a fuel pump.

Good timing! I just did a couple things, and made a separate thread related to fuel injectors...

- I changed the fuel filter a couple months ago. No significant difference, although the old filter was really dirty inside
- I just changed the fuel pressure regulator, figured it was worth a shot for the $48 it cost me. Again, no significant difference here
- I think the fuel pump is the most likely culprit, as the last time I had it in the shop, the mechanic told me it was showing electrical current spikes (I knew something was wrong, as the fuel gauge reads "untrue" when first filled up. It shows "zero fuel" for the first 50 miles, and bounces around a bit until settling out at about 3/4 full, then reads true the rest of the way down)

This truck is just plain frustrating the heck out of me. I think I'll sell it and get a Tundra ;-)

 

That's interesting. My fuel gauge hasn't had any issues, no other problems than the no start on the first crank

 

on my 2000 silverado when the battery was goin out (due to my 2 amps) it would make a tick sound so try pouring some seafoam down your gas tank after replacing fuel filter..

 

Not the battery lol. I replaced mine as soon as I bought the truck. I'm not terribly concerned about it just yet. Still gets me from A to B haha

 

Ill second fuel pump. Mine started this then a week later I was out getting steel on my lunch break and bam would not crank when I was ready to leave to go back to work.

 

(I knew something was wrong, as the fuel gauge reads "untrue" when first filled up. It shows "zero fuel" for the first 50 miles, and bounces around a bit until settling out at about 3/4 full, then reads true the rest of the way down)

This truck is just plain frustrating the heck out of me. I think I'll sell it and get a Tundra ;-)

The fuel gauge problem is the sending unit thats on the pump in the tank. It has two metal tabs that run up and down two metal strips and those tabs are not contacting the strips on the upper portion. And if the fuel sloshes just right the float can move just enough for the strips to make contact and thats where you get the sparatic jumping around. A new one come on my pump I just put in and when I first got my truck I replaced just the sending unit with one from gm was $75

 

So all of the changes I made have not helped. I really don't have the time to put it into a shop again. Any more ideas about how to do a simple fuel-pressure check? I could replace the fuel pump, but I REALLY don't want to go through that expense without knowing for sure what is wrong.

 

Try turning on the ignition without starting the truck a few times. This will prime the pump and it should start in the first try. If this works itis the fuel pump. This is a common problem in these trucks. It is a check valve that no longer checks...

 

It doesnt have a distributor. I suspect the fuel pressure reg or the pump itself. Ideally get a pressure tool and hook into it and watch what the pressure is when you turn the key, then watch for the bleed down and see if it does. I suspect the valve in the assembly... But DONT thro parts/$ at it without diagnosis!

 

fuel pressure regulator, cheap and easy. start with the cheaper fixes then move on if it doesnt work

 

I doubt its the pressure regulator. Pull the vacuum line from it to see is it has fuel in it. If so, its bad. Replace it.