1999 350 Will Not Start, Please Help!

dokks04 · October 12, 2007

I took my suburban to town today to put some gas on as the wife was going to use and it oly had a half a tank. I put 10 gallons in, paid for my gas and left. I drove the 1/3 mile home and just as I was pulling into my development the motor died. Tried to restart, would stumble but not run. Thought maybe fuel pump went out, so I walked home grabbed some gas and dumped about 4 oz. down throttle body. Same thing, will not start, just stumble. Truck has 89,000 miles on. As far as I know all items on fuel side original. I replaced plugs, wires, cap, and rotor about 5000 miles ago. Truck had been running great. Tried to replace fuel filter at same time, but couldn't get off, been spraying with penetrant ever since. The only funny thing I noticed was when I removed fuel cap I didn't get normal "whoosh" from tank being in a vacuum. Please help, I'm sure it's something simple but I don't have time or money to waste trips to parts store.

boomer 33 · October 12, 2007

I took my suburban to town today to put some gas on as the wife was going to use and it oly had a half a tank. I put 10 gallons in, paid for my gas and left. I drove the 1/3 mile home and just as I was pulling into my development the motor died. Tried to restart, would stumble but not run. Thought maybe fuel pump went out, so I walked home grabbed some gas and dumped about 4 oz. down throttle body. Same thing, will not start, just stumble. Truck has 89,000 miles on. As far as I know all items on fuel side original. I replaced plugs, wires, cap, and rotor about 5000 miles ago. Truck had been running great. Tried to replace fuel filter at same time, but couldn't get off, been spraying with penetrant ever since. The only funny thing I noticed was when I removed fuel cap I didn't get normal "whoosh" from tank being in a vacuum. Please help, I'm sure it's something simple but I don't have time or money to waste trips to parts store.

What engine, what year?

JOE2003 · October 12, 2007

I took my suburban to town today to put some gas on as the wife was going to use and it oly had a half a tank. I put 10 gallons in, paid for my gas and left. I drove the 1/3 mile home and just as I was pulling into my development the motor died. Tried to restart, would stumble but not run. Thought maybe fuel pump went out, so I walked home grabbed some gas and dumped about 4 oz. down throttle body. Same thing, will not start, just stumble. Truck has 89,000 miles on. As far as I know all items on fuel side original. I replaced plugs, wires, cap, and rotor about 5000 miles ago. Truck had been running great. Tried to replace fuel filter at same time, but couldn't get off, been spraying with penetrant ever since. The only funny thing I noticed was when I removed fuel cap I didn't get normal "whoosh" from tank being in a vacuum. Please help, I'm sure it's something simple but I don't have time or money to waste trips to parts store.

What engine, what year?

it s might be the fuel pump try hiting the center bottom of the fuel tank while someone is cranking the engine if it starts it the pump

JOE2003 · October 12, 2007

I took my suburban to town today to put some gas on as the wife was going to use and it oly had a half a tank. I put 10 gallons in, paid for my gas and left. I drove the 1/3 mile home and just as I was pulling into my development the motor died. Tried to restart, would stumble but not run. Thought maybe fuel pump went out, so I walked home grabbed some gas and dumped about 4 oz. down throttle body. Same thing, will not start, just stumble. Truck has 89,000 miles on. As far as I know all items on fuel side original. I replaced plugs, wires, cap, and rotor about 5000 miles ago. Truck had been running great. Tried to replace fuel filter at same time, but couldn't get off, been spraying with penetrant ever since. The only funny thing I noticed was when I removed fuel cap I didn't get normal "whoosh" from tank being in a vacuum. Please help, I'm sure it's something simple but I don't have time or money to waste trips to parts store.

What engine, what year?

it s might be the fuel pump try hiting the center bottom of the fuel tank while someone is cranking the engine if it starts it the pump

also did you hear the fuel pump run when the key is turned on for about 4 seconds to prime it self if not it maybe the pump

boomer 33 · October 13, 2007

The engine you have and the year model are critical to the diagnosis because it may be a simple solution. You have a common problem and I can save you a big hassle that dealers will not even know about. If you have the 8.1 engine , then respond as such. If not, then I probably can not help you.

dokks04 · October 15, 2007

Sorry about the delay getting back, opening of pheasant hunting this weekend. My suburban is a 1999 model year with the 350 Vortec motor. I can hear the fuel pump run/ prime when I turn key on. I figured that if the fuel pump was an issue I would overcome it by pouring a little gas down the throttlebody, enough to run the motor a few seconds. But like I said it woluldn't fire even doing that. If I were to purchase a code reader, what would your recommendations for brand or parts store to buy from? Thanks again.

dokks04 · October 18, 2007

Nobody has advice on even a code reader??? Truck cranks fine, fires when it usually starts, but won't catch. Also will backfire every now and then.

Nytemare · October 18, 2007

Possible causes I can see are;

1. crank pickup

2. timing chain skipped or broken, (unlikely with 89K, but possible none the less)

3. duff distributor cap/rotor.

4. fuel filter clog...pouring fuel down the TB may not be a true test were its a dry intake system. A better check is to disconnect the fuel rail and turn on the engine and see if fuel is pumped out.

I would just go buy a cheap code reader and see what comes up, or try and get a shop to come to your house and read it.

boomer 33 · October 30, 2007

Possible causes I can see are;

1. crank pickup

2. timing chain skipped or broken, (unlikely with 89K, but possible none the less)

3. duff distributor cap/rotor.

4. fuel filter clog...pouring fuel down the TB may not be a true test were its a dry intake system. A better check is to disconnect the fuel rail and turn on the engine and see if fuel is pumped out.

I would just go buy a cheap code reader and see what comes up, or try and get a shop to come to your house and read it.

Is there any chance that you were in a hurry and put diesel in it instead of gas? The way they have them on the same pump it could be a possibility.