My truck has been hard to start recently. (1997 Chev C2500 5.7L Vortec 209,000 km). This difficulty started in the winter. It needed a new block heater and I also had plugs replaced and the remaining ignition parts checked and OKed. The condition now is that it will take several attempts with the starter to start the engine: battery is good; fuel pump engages (can hear it for 2-3 seconds); starter turns over well when key is turned; it appears to try to start with a few sputtering sounds; after several attempts (usually 5 to 10 times) it will start and sputter for several seconds and then run fine.
I had it in a mechanic's shop a few weeks ago and they could not determine any cause for the difficult starting. No codes would show up, fuel pressure was good. They suggested it might be the fuel pump, but did not want to replace it because it actually tested ok for pressure at start up and running conditions.
Other recent work done in Jan 2009 was replacement of intake manifold gasket.
I had it in a mechanic's shop a few weeks ago and they could not determine any cause for the difficult starting. No codes would show up, fuel pressure was good. They suggested it might be the fuel pump, but did not want to replace it because it actually tested ok for pressure at start up and running conditions.
Other recent work done in Jan 2009 was replacement of intake manifold gasket.
May 13, 2009 at 10:07 AM