My 2000 Silverado (4.8L) seems to be having difficulty starting. It used to start almost immediately but lately I've noticed it cranking longer and then starting. Sometimes if I crank it for a few seconds, switch the key off, and then try to start it again, it starts almost immediately the second time.

If I turn the key to on (not to the start position) and then switch it to off one or two times, it will start the first time I try it.

To me that sounds like classic electric fuel pump issue. Does anyone agree with that?

 

Yes, sounds like a pump to me. They have a check valve in them which is supposed to keep the system pressurized when the key is turned off. Sounds like yours is leaking. By cycling the key like your doing your basically re-pressurizing the system.

 

Yeah... Thanks. Now I know what I'll be doing this Saturday, lol The bugger about it is the 36 gallon tank! I'll just have to use it more this week than normal, also need to check the sending unit. The gas gauge has developed a mind of it's own.
When I fill the tank, the gauge goes to empty. at about 3/4 of a tank it will read correctly (for the most part) and continue to do so for the rest of the way, but it does bounce around from the real reading to empty and back again, now and then.
Maybe I can kill two birds with one stone this weekend.

 

Do yourself a favor and just unbolt the bed. You can take the bolts completely out of the drivers side and just loosen the passenger side. Here is me doing my dually a few months back...

 

It gives plenty of room to get the pump out...

 

Great idea! Thanks. That exactly what I'm gonna do!!!!

 

Check your grounds first, pumps are expensive

 

10-4.

...and thanks.

 

Do you need any special tools to remove pump and replace it? You should unhook the battery?
Do you have to depressurize the tank?




Straightleg

 

On some you need the tool to disconnect the lines. The older trucks just unscrew. Battery should be disconnected and no you do not need to depressurize the tank. You have to remove the cap to either drop it or lift the bed and that is all that is needed.