5.3 Starting Harder

[Greg]

My '02 Av with 51K on the clock is starting to need more cranking to get started. Once going, it runs smoothly with no driveability problems. Smoke on startup is the same cloud as always. No check engine light, no oil consumption. The K&N still looks new. No lack of cranking power, though I'll probably replace the stock battery with an Optima this fall. Any suggestions?

[AirForceAngler]

You may be about due for a new fuel filter.

[chev_tech]

Take your vacuum line off the fuel pressure regulator on the fuel rail and check for gas in this line. If so, your regulator is bad.