Fuel Pump Or Fuel Pressure Regulator

Paulie G · July 9, 2011

My 2001 8.1 is starting hard when it's cold lately. Gas mileage seam to be a touch low.

after sitting over night I go to roll it over and it won't start, it will roll over. When I let off the key and let the fuel pump cycle it will usually start the second time right away. it might take a 3rd time for this to work. once running it is a okay but seems a little low on power (could be in my head)

If I turn the ignition on and let the fuel pump cycle before I start it, it doesn't seem to help. Even if I do it two or three times.

The best way to start it seems to be: hit the key once, let off and hit the key again.

Starting the truck after it sits for a short period doesn't seem to be a problem.

I pulled the vacuum line of the fpr after driving home and didn't see any gas in it. I don't have a fuel pressure gauge tester.

Can any of you help narrow this down so I don't have to change both. Also Is it possible to change components on the fuel pump rather than changing the whole thing?

Thanks,

Paul

markw8 · July 9, 2011

This needs a guage on it to really know.

Mark

Paulie G · July 15, 2011

Will I get a definitive answer from a fuel pressure test?

txab · July 15, 2011

Pretty much. Bet it's your pump. Have you replaced the filter?

Paulie G · July 15, 2011

Filter has been done.

I want it to be the regulator pretty bad but I'm thinking pump too.

I don't suppose all fuel pumps are created equal either.

ChevyTech77 · July 15, 2011

$100 on a pump. Sorry dude.

If the regulator is going bad there will be gas in the vacuum line going to it, fyi.

Paulie G · July 15, 2011

$100 isn't bad, I was thinking more like $250

No gas in the vacuum line after it's been runing

ChevyTech77 · July 15, 2011

Sorry, that was a $100 bet on it being a pump. Not $100 FOR a pump. Maybe in '86 but not anymore.

Paulie G · July 16, 2011

I did change the fuel filter tonight, I changed 20k ago but that was in 06. Man time flies. We'll see if that helps.

If not,

Does a guy drop a low 34 gal fuel tank or slide back an 8ft box?

SS Crew · July 16, 2011

It's your fuel pump - $275 for the pump and $400 for labor. Ask me how I know.

My '99 did the same thing at 118,000 miles.

Paulie G · July 26, 2011

Can't believe it but found a new Delphi pump for $186 shipped. Going to tackle it this weekend. I think I'm going to drop the near empty tank. The 8' box with bed cover just seams more work.

Paulie G · August 2, 2011

The new fuel pump fixed the problem, starts right up. Took 3.5 hrs dropping the tank which I ran down to 1.5 gallons. It was not fun but thanks to all that helped troubleshooting.

Paul