I have a 99 GMC suburban with the 6.5 in it. About a minute+ or so after I start the engine cold the thing just dies on me. It does not want to start backup either. Today I was driving down the street, 30 MPH, and it just quit. I have to crank it for 4-5 seconds before it starts up again. It has not happen after everything is warmed up. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance...

What have you checked on it? Have you looked at the filters? Have you opened the bleeder on filter housing with the ignition on to see if it had air or fuel coming out?


Have you checked the condition of the + battery terminal connection on the passengerside battery? Ignition wire ties in here and a bad connection will stall you.Edited by: quantum mechanic

Filters were changed about 10K miles ago. I only buy truck stop fuel. I have not checked the bleeder. By the time I get home (15 miles/20 minutes away) the truck is running fine.


I checked the + terminal wires and connection. They look good.

Just be glad you don't have the problems that your brother has with his Duramax.....ha ha

Just be glad you don't have the problems that your brother has with his Duramax.....ha ha


You and your brother must be hard on equipment....carrying airplane parts and working around the tree farm sounds like it is taking it's toll...or maybe the wife jumping sand dunes is what took out the motor mounts.....<grin>http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

Good luck diagnosing the problem.....it could be random local Newtonian Distortions.....don't you just love intermittent problems. I started to give you a hard time for driving a Chevy diesel.....till I remembered my Powerstroke leaving me on the side of the road with a dead fuel pump.


Does it consistently die after startup when cold or is this random? Make a note of the water temp when it occurrs. Most vehicles have a cold start routine that is initiated by a water temp sensor.....could be a problem upon transition to the 'run' routine.


Do you have a manual for the 'burb'? If not, search on ebay for your vehicle. I have found manuals for all of my vehicles on DVD for less than $20 and have been very happy with them and their troubleshooting sections.


DM-----

Check the flux capacitor? Plug gap? Exhaust Bearing? Tire pressure?

yeah those muffler bearings are known to go out....

I had the spindle bendle changed out and I hope that does the trick. The muffler bearing looked good and flux in the capacitor was nice and fluxing so we left them alone. Gee... thanks guys... huuuu....

Just a wild shot in the dark here, pull off your fuel filler cap right after it starts to see if its on vacuum, too much vacuum could be starving your pump of fuel, leave the cap off and see if it stalls.

Check the fuel filter bowl. Look around it for diesel residue and down in the engine valley. If it has a leak there, it will suck air in when the engine and fuel cools down. Purges itself after the first minute of running, and good after that. Post back, and let us know. Can be re-built really cheap.

Same problem I had, since I had added a non-vented locking fuel tank cap. Put the stock vented one back on - if you removed it - and your problems will go away. Mine did after having already spent time & $ on a new pump, OPS, and filters.

Just being curious - does it happen when the engine is at, or near, idle, or at any rpm's?

Well I had to take the truck to the shop. It got to where it would not even start back up. Sure enough the dealer told me the injectors were bad. Changed them under warranty. Drives like it should now.


I had tried the fuel cap. My brother had told me about that one already. The truck would die at any RPM, just out of the blue. I have heard these injectors are like that I just did not know they just killed the engine when they did not like something.


Now I know why GMC/Chevy stopped making these Diesel Suburban. I have had mine for about a year and 1/2. I have a new block and new injectors put in, all under warranty. Can not say GMC does not back their trucks. And 16+ MPH is great for a 4X4. Im going to keep it for a while still.

The price we pay to drive a Chevy. Had a Dodge Cummins pickup for 2 years prior to the diesel GMC, and didn't repair a thing. However, I am a Chevy Guy, owned two Subs and 2 pickups so far (previously all gas), and while they broke a lot, they are much cheaper and easier to fix than Ford or Dodge. So that's it, and now having a Chev diesel is a new experience - but I'd still rather have the problems and drive a Chevy than any other make.