2001 Topkick

JRGIV6 · September 24, 2005

I had purchased a used 2001 Topkick with the 8.1 gas engine and Alison tranny. It used to be part of Penske Rental. The dealer I bought it from cut off the 24' box and installed a 14' dump on it for us.

The problem we are having with the truck is that no matter if you are stopped, driving down the road, or parked it dies and it could take anywhere from 2 tries to 15 or more tries to restart the truck. It could go for days and not stall or even minutes. I have relied on the dealer to fix it because it is under warranty. But I need the truck yesterday. As far as I am being told they changed the fuel pump, crank speed sensor, ecm (from another truck) and a number of other modules one is located on the passenger side of the firewall, said that they check the ground wires on the truck because they thought that some of the circuit breakers are getting hot.

They have had it for a month now and I have had it.

GM-Tech · September 24, 2005

Sounds like the shotgun method of auto repairs. But in their defense I will say that if it won't quit running for them, sometimes all you can do is take your best shot at it.

I'd say the first step is to know what you're losing. Is there injector pulse, spark, fuel pressure, etc., etc. For an engine to run, it needs compression (that wouldn't go away intermittently) fuel/air in a fairly proper quantity/mix and sufficient spark at the right time. What's missing?

Nothing really common on the 8.1 that I'm aware of, but we don't see many 8.1's.

JRGIV6 · September 26, 2005

You are right about the shotgun auto repairs. The problem is happening to them and they refuse to send it to a shop to have it fixed they are trying to save $$. They told me they sent it to a shop but all they did was tell them what to change the shop didn't do the repair.

Little do they know that our attorney will be making a call today.

Thanks for the reply.

wireless101 · September 26, 2005

samething happened to me, fuel pressure regulator causing a fuel block and loss of air presssure.

JRGIV6 · September 28, 2005

Got it fixed at a GMC truck center. It was the crankshaft speed sensor. The backyard mechanics said they changed it. The service manager told me that there is a certain way to install them and they didn't do the correct way. Don't figure.