Just started having a problem starting my truck this past week. Acts like the fuel system has lost prime. I have to crank a while on the starter till she fires up. Runs fine once it gets started. Seems to start better when I park with the nose down in the driveway. Lift pump going out, do you think? Any help would be appreciated.

 

Does it start easier if you give it a little "gas" while cranking?

If it helps, your idle might be too low. Mine used to do that when it started to cool down outside, raised the idle and now it starts fast and easy.

 

Needs a new fuel delivery hose?

 

Let the grid heaters heat up

if you hear a ticking, it is signs of ur lift pump going out, if its an original, it probably needs to be replaced. Another hard start symptom is your idle, where does it sit at when your truck is on, and with AC on? should be at 650 bare minimum or so. If it starts easier with the nose toward drive way, id say fuel goes forward, as liquid shifts,and more towards the lift pump which allows it to pick up more fuel, and facilitates your starting..

Welcome to DTR!

Tx

 

Sounds like you are sucking air, most likely the hoses at the rear of the engine need to be replaced. They can suck air without leaking fuel.
Many rigs have gone 500k plus on the original lift pump.

 

When you finish your hose maintenance, check the pickup tube hose in the tank. There was a recall back in the days of you rig, and it was associated with the in-tank hose cracking and pulling air when the fuel level dropped below approximately 1/3 of the tank.

The other thing to check is the overflow valve. Look and make sure you have the two piece valve with the small nut inside the larger nut. Sometimes even that valve will crack the spring, but you can pull the smaller nut and lift out the spring and follower and inspect them. Just make sure you get all the grease and dirt away from the inside of your P7100 before you open that valve (it is the valve with the fuel return hose attached, and is located between the engine and the fuel injection pump). If you have the one piece valve, just order a new two piece and replace it, the one piece units were wonder valves - it was a wonder any of them worked!