Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Hard starting issue.

[Beach]

Recently, my truck has been starting hard. It takes about 10-15 seconds befire it starts. Normally it is instant. I started by changing the fuel filter, but that did nothing. My FASS pump is working and I have fuel pressure before start up. What else should I look for or what could be causing this? Thanks.

 

[JohnBoy5]

when you turn the key on to start the truck try something then let me know how it work. turn the key to the on position, pause for about 5 seconds there and continue to start position.



i have been having a similar problem and found this to help but i might be figuring it out. let me know if this works for you.



is it hard to start all the time or intermitting?

 

[ALepley]

Recently, my truck has been starting hard. It takes about 10-15 seconds befire it starts. Normally it is instant. I started by changing the fuel filter, but that did nothing. My FASS pump is working and I have fuel pressure before start up. What else should I look for or what could be causing this? Thanks.

Any codes? How many miles? Maybe an injector leaking down.

 

[Beach]

195,000 miles, no codes. It"s doing it everytime I try to start it now! Turns over for a while before it fires up.

 

[JohnBoy5]

did you try my idea with pausing at the on position for about 5 seconds? does your fass system run non stop upon turning the key on or does it pulse for a second?

 

[JMetzger]

I was having the same trouble with mine + a 1689 code once in a while. Took it to Dynamic Diesel in Reno thinking it might be a VP44 what with the 1689 code & they cleaned the electrical connections at the ECM, VP44, Banks & battery terminals. So far it has been starting up like it use to. They said that all this electronic equipment has to have squeaky clean connections. So far it has worked for me, just an idea.

 

[JohnBoy5]

I was having the same trouble with mine + a 1689 code once in a while. Took it to Dynamic Diesel in Reno thinking it might be a VP44 what with the 1689 code & they cleaned the electrical connections at the ECM, VP44, Banks & battery terminals. So far it has been starting up like it use to. They said that all this electronic equipment has to have squeaky clean connections. So far it has worked for me, just an idea.

thats a great tip! i am going to get something to clean all my connections and put some electrical grease on them. my issue seems to be gone for now but thats good preventive maintenance!

 

[Beach]

Sorry I haven't replyed. I got home fri. night after work to find a trail of oil up my drive way and the whole underneath of my truck dripping oil. Thats a new issue I'm trying to figure out because oil was full and good oil pressure. I've degreased the whole truck twice now and I see a couple drips hear and there, but nothing. Anyway's, my hard start seems to be after the truck has sat for a while, over night or while I'm at work. Waiting 5 seconds doesn't do anything. I started it up and shut it off 3 times in a row just to see if it would start right away after I drove it and it did, but I got a code 0500? I think thats maybe crank position sensor? Could that be it? I'm more worried about my oil leak now, which I'm going to post to see what everyone might think. Thanks.

 

[Beach]

I've noticed that if I bump the starter to let the fass run longer(build more fuel pressure) it seems to start quicker, but still not a normal start. It also starts normal if I'm starting it frequently like running errands or so. Overnight starts and bad. Could I have air getting in myfuel line somewhere? I think I'm going to replace the fuel line and inline filter this weekend to see if that helps. It's getting a little hardened anyways.

 

[JohnBoy5]

Sounds like fuel is leaking down and letting air in the line. i would start by checking all the injecotr lines fuel supply lines and reinspting all the hoses. check around the fass filters for leaks. then you could try the sensor if nothign is found. could be the vp 44 but i have not heard you say anything about loss of power so i dont think thats it... .



one other thing to inspect or replace is the check valve on the return line. it could be letting the fuel out of the injection pump and draining back to the fuel tank after it sits for a while.....



food for thought

 

[SAronson]

Sounds like fuel is leaking down and letting air in the line. i would start by checking all the injecotr lines fuel supply lines and reinspting all the hoses. check around the fass filters for leaks. then you could try the sensor if nothign is found. could be the vp 44 but i have not heard you say anything about loss of power so i dont think thats it... .



one other thing to inspect or replace is the check valve on the return line. it could be letting the fuel out of the injection pump and draining back to the fuel tank after it sits for a while.....



food for thought

+1... the leaking fuel could be the "oil" problem that you mentioned as well.

 

[Beach]

The starting issue hasn't been as bad, but I installed new fuel line and in line filter from the tank to the fuel filter at the motor. The old filter was rusty, maybe it had a small hole in it, I don't know. It seems to be alot better, but still not 100%. Some mornings it starts hard, but today was instant. Where is the check valve roughly on the return line? Also, it was definately oil that was under my truck. That issue seems to be gone!? Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[madmanmanick]

the thing you might want to check with the oil is if it has a smell of diesel fuel. Fuel could be leaking down like the other guys have said and is getting in the crankcase. That could be causing it to get to full and over flowing out the breather tube. hope this helps.

 

[Bob Cochran]

The check valve is what looks like a fitting between the IP and return fuel line.

 

[Beach]

I still havent looked around for my hard start issue(I know, way too long), but lately I've noticed that after I fill up, fuel starts dripping out of the top of the tank. I think I might have a cracked line or something letting air in the lines somewhere. Plan on looking into this soon. Just thought I'd update on this.

 

[JohnBoy5]

I still havent looked around for my hard start issue(I know, way too long), but lately I've noticed that after I fill up, fuel starts dripping out of the top of the tank. I think I might have a cracked line or something letting air in the lines somewhere. Plan on looking into this soon. Just thought I'd update on this.

i had this problem and oddley enough it was my vent leaking it out somehow. i have not figured this out phenomena out yet as that vent does not have a tube to reach the fuel. this would even happen sometimes at a half of tank... . go figure. i installed a short piece of hose to make it go to the ground rather then make a mess out of my truck. that seems to be what i do with everything a piece of hose to the ground and let it leak. lol

 

[Sticks]

WHOA!!

Sorry I haven't replyed. I got home fri. night after work to find a trail of oil up my drive way and the whole underneath of my truck dripping oil. Thats a new issue I'm trying to figure out because oil was full and good oil pressure. I've degreased the whole truck twice now and I see a couple drips hear and there.....

Big red flag right there! A hemorrhaging truck is more important than a hard start issue.



If you have not positively identified the flavor of the oil in your driveway and what was a drippin', you need to check all your fluids. Transmission, differentials, transfer case, engine oil (if full take a drop onto a cheap fast food napkin and see if there is a ring that spreads out into the napkin faster than the rest of the drop - that will be fuel in the oil).



What is this inline filter between the tank and the LP you are talking about? If this was a DIY mod, then check your clamps and fittings.

 

[Beach]

All fluids where checked. I think it was over filled. I just got back last week from the same trip up to Minnesota and back and haven't had a drip since. I made sure I put the right amount in this time. I think it came from the overflow tube on the front of the engine. Thanks for the concern and info though.

 

[JohnBoy5]

i was having hard start problems with my truck for a little bit and found when i dropped my fuel pressure to 17 psi it all went away.

 

[Dieseldemon]

I had a cust that had a hard start problem with the Fass pump the problem is the check valve on the vp44 is 12 to 15 psi and the Fass was 20 psi which opened the ck valve and would not start I put a 12 valve ck valve that is set at 20 psi and that fixed the problem