I did a search on difficulties with starting but didn't find much regarding my "situation." Boiled down to 30 words or less: I notice that when I go to start the engine (having driven for say a half hour, stopping and shutting off the engine and then restarting) it takes a noticeably longer time to start. I have to keep the starter engaged for quite a while before the engine fires up.

The truck is an '03 K3500 with the Duramax/Allison combo. It has 49K+ miles, I change oil every 3K miles, replace transmission fluid at 15K, and change the air filter as often as necessary.

I can take it in to a local Chevy dealer and have 'em "look at it" but ----- not ready to do that before I hear from others who've experienced similar starting degradation and found out what was "wrong."

Thanks, in advance, for any replies. Jim R.

You need injectors.

Jim, how long is longer.

Mine does that as well. When it's cold it takes about 1-2 seconds to fire up. When it's warm it takes about 3-4 seconds.

I have no other injector problem symptons, so is this the first sympton?

Sounds like worn out injectors. Not an expert on D-max's, But CAT 3176's with high miles or poor maintenance exibit the same problems mentioned above.

Mine did the same thing. Below 30 degrees it wouldn't start at all. I had to plug it in for a couple hours before it would start. Took it to dealer and got 8 injectors replaced. Starts like it did new.

Thanks for the replies. I was athinkin' that injectors could be the culprit and believe they fall under the 100K warranty, correct?

You are correct 100,000miles on the engine.

ANNNNNDDDDDDD, the injectors were replaced about a week ago and it's all running like it should!


Now ------ hoping I don't need THAT done again before the 100K warranty is up........

I have an '03 Dmax w/ 20K, and just took it to the shop today for the same problem. When hot, it was taking 2 or 3 10-15 second attempts to start up. Should be interesting to see what the dealer says.