I have an 03 HO cummins with 68k on it. Truck seems to run fine but it takes a significant amount more time to start in the last 2 weeks or so. Problem seems to be getting worse as well. At first, I thought it was just in my head but now it is very noticeable. Is there a check valve in the system or is it built into lift pump? As I stated, once it starts it runs as good as when it was new. Only hard starting. Any input appreciated. ...Tim

 

I would say that you have a crank or cam sensor going,, most likely the crank sensor. Timing is getting out of whack, which will make it hard to start, but still run fine once it does

Kevin

 

Sounds possible but I am getting no codes. Wouldn't either one of them throw a code?

 

nope, they will just go,, had the crank sensor go on mine

Kevin

 

hey if you get this one figured out post it please i am having the same problem.

 

Should be post after post on this issue if you used the SEARCH function.Seems 95% of them is a failing injector or injectors.Thats what allows bleed down.

 

Mine acted the same way and it had injector leaking down. If there had been 2 leaking it probably would have been extermely hard to start. Had to use ether on a couple of occasions to get it to fire off. As all know that's not recommended with the possibility of the grid heater lighting it off before getting into the cylinders. A hot summer in Texas left me fairly safe on using ether in an emergency. Time to look into some F-1 nozzles.

 

I'll vote injectors... mine did the exact same thing and all my injectors were gone.

 

Hey Tim,
My 03 started out like what your describing. It would crank and crank then eventually start and after a while it wouldn't start at all. The only way to get it to fire would be to give it a snort of ether.. Turns out the fix was new injectors. Now some guys have had the same trouble and cleaning the COV helped a great deal. If I were in your shoes I would clean the COV and see if that helps. If not bring it the dealer and let them scan it. On my wife's 05, she had a hard start situation and it turned out to be a cam sensor was bad.
She had a check engine light.
Good luck,
Topper

 

What is COV? I'll give that a try but it looks like it is probably going to be injectors going by the posts on here.

 

I'd run some basic injector test before just assuming injectors but it seems like that most always follows that complaint.They are covered for 7/100 under the fuel and engine warranty with a 0 deduct until years 6 and 7.Then its $100

 

what kind of fuel filter are you running?

 

Just replace the nozzles or whole injector ? Or is that the same thing?

 

my harder start problem was the oring on the fca had a rip in it. new oring, fires right up..

with the bad oring, it ran just fine, but didnt want to start.

 

Just tried that, Oring looked OK, but replaced it anyway and now it starts up right quick!! Cranks over once or twice and fires.
This morning it cranked for a good 10-15 seconds or more.

We'll see how long this lasts.