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Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Bucking and shuddering at startup

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Need some help here. A couple of days ago I went out and fired up the pickup after it had sat for about a week. It hadn't been plugged in, but temps were only in the 30's, so not real cold. Waited for the grid heaters to cycle and cranked it over. It fired, but was missing terribly. It sounded like it wanted to die. I gave it a little throttle and the idle smoothed out. Ran some errands in town, and it started fine every time after that. The check engine light came on. I tried to access the codes, but failed to see any.



Tonight, I went out and started it up after a couple of days of sitting. Same story, it stumbled and sounded like it was only running on a couple of cylinders. I gave it throttle, and it smoothed out somewhat, although it took longer before it sounded like it would idle on its own. It was very cold tonight (5 below) and I had forgotten to plug it in. Started it up to come home four hours later, and it fired up like a champ.



Other considerations. Batteries are the originals and are getting weak. It is not cranking over as fast as it used to. I run straight #2 from the Cenex with Rotella DFA. Fuel filter was changed about 5000 miles ago. Oil is Rotella 5W40 Synthetic. VA was removed several months ago. Haven't adjusted valves yet. Fuel pressure is showing 11-12 at idle, 8-9 cruising, and 6 psi WOT. The grid heaters are engaging after startup.



What should I look at first? The check engine light hasn't come back on. If it does, how do I access the codes?



TIA.



Jason
 
Fuel bleeding down..........

When I installed my new injectors it ran similar to this until the fuel pressure stablized through all the injectors.



You may have a really small leak that's allowing it to bleed down after a long time. If it doesn't sit long enough it will start fine.



Did you change injectors? Even if you didn't I would snug up all the fuel lines to make sure.



Garrett
 
Muchos gracias!

Garrett,



Thank you my good man, you hit the nail on the head. My fitting for my fuel pressure guage was about a half turn loose. I snugged it up and tested it this morning after sitting for two days. Nary a stumble :cool:



Jason
 
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