8.1 morning starting trouble

work'n 8.1 · October 30, 2006

Recently my 8.1 has been acting up when I start it in the morning. I have to crank it 2-3 seconds before it fires and then it takes a couple more seconds to get a good idle. It only does this in the morning. Every time I start it during the day it fires right up no matter if it has sat 5 min or 8 hours. Any ideas on the problem. Hopefully its nothing major, I'm going to buy my dad's duramax in a couple months so I don't need to dump alot into this truck

Haulin' 8.1 · October 30, 2006

Try cleaning the throttle out (air-not enough). If that doesn't do it, it's probably the fuel pressure regulator (fuel-leaking, flooding).

mitchntx · November 2, 2006

I would assume "morning start" means that the truck has sat for 12 hours or so and "during the day" it has sat for a few hours.

With that assumption, it might be fuel pressure issues.

Over night, the pressure bleeds off and has to build to give the 38psi these EFI motors require.

In the morning, try turning on the key and letting the pump build pressure before starting. Might have to cycle the key a couple times as the ECM won't let the pump run very long.

If the motor fires immediately and idles normally, it's the pump assembly. The bleed valve, regulator and pump are all inside the tank.

DSengineer · November 2, 2006

The bleed valve, regulator and pump are all inside the tank.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The regulator is not part of the pump assembly. It is located on the drivers side fuel rail. Remove the retainig clip and pull it out before you start it in the morning. If it is flooded with fuel it needs replacing. The little boogers run about $50-60 even from the auto part store.

work'n 8.1 · November 3, 2006

Thanks for the info guys. It seems to have gotten better the past few days. If it gets worse again I'll look into your suggestions.

Haulin' 8.1 · November 3, 2006

Just to clear up some contradictory information. 2000-03 use a return fuel regulator on the rail. 04-present use a returnless rail with the regulator attached to the pump assembly in the tank.

Vernon

Haulin' 8.1 · November 3, 2006

double post

mitchntx · November 6, 2006

Just to clear up some contradictory information. 2000-03 use a return fuel regulator on the rail. 04-present use a returnless rail with the regulator attached to the pump assembly in the tank.

Vernon

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Thanks ... I thought I was going crazy for a minute.