Hey guys,

First post here. The truck is a 2001 2500 2WD auto. I've had it for about 8 years, and truck has been mostly trouble free. It now has 210000 miles on it, and I'm starting to have some problems. The current issue is at startup. If the truck sits for a few days, or if it is parked pointing uphill for a few hours, it will have issues starting. When I crank it, the engine will spin over and start, but then stumble and die. If I feather the fuel pedal I can usually get it to stay running, but if it dies I have to cycle the lift pump a few times and then let it crank for 20 to 30 seconds.

I checked the fuel pressure at the schraeder valve on the VP44, and I'm seeing 7 to 10 psi (I know it is on the low side). The truck has a stock style lift pump which I installed about 7 years ago. Fuel filter has about 5000 miles on it. The inlet line on the lift pump looks damp. I can't tell if it is just road grime, leftover power steering fluid from when my hydroboost was leaking, or if it is leaking fuel at the line.

There are no trouble codes set.

Any thoughts? Could it just be a fuel line with a leak which is allowing the system to bleed off fuel? Weak lift pump? I do have a Di-pricol fuel pressure gauge, but the sending unit seems to be dead on that (gauge goes to max pressure when you turn on the key). Since Di-pricol is gone I can't just get a new sending unit. Any ideas on how to remedy that without buying a whole new gauge kit would also be appreciated.

Thanks for any help or suggestions you can send my way.

Elmer

 

See if parking with the nose downhill helps. If it starts easier after parking downhill, it point to a leak in the system towards the front of the engine.

Also, bump the lift pump before trying to start the vehicle. It may help the problem. Just bump the starter and the lift pump should run for 25-30 seconds.

Also, dry off the inlet to the pump and then turn the truck on and see it it gets damp.

 

Thanks for the response. Was hoping someone else had experienced the same kind of issue.

Anyone have thoughts about the Di-pricol gauge? I found a couple of other posts asking the same question, but none had any responses.