I have an 03 D'max that recently is hard to start hot or cold. It takes about 10 seconds of cranking, give or take.

I did a search and found that 99% of the responses to this type of question have been to replace the injectors. Here's the catch, all 8 injectors have recently been replaced under warranty as well as the filter assembly under recall.

The problem started recently after running the tank low, but not out of fuel. The filter did pick up air and I primed it out. I did notice that the pump on the filter housing is not remaining firm and I'm suspecting that it's possibly picking up just a little air somewhere. I'm not sure where though. I've primed plenty of fuel out and only get a little air, most of the time fuel comes out right away. How firm does the pump on the filter assembly need to be? Anything else I could check?

When you say recently do you mean before or after the problem started? I would begin by checking the o ring on the fuel filter.

This sounds just like my problem. I posted a couple of days ago. My truck has never been hard to start until now. Cranked good that morning & started the 10 second crank that afternoon. I've only started it a couple of times since then & still taking a long time to start. My truck's bone stock with no injectors replaced (YET!) I'm very puzzled.
:confused: :confused: :confused:

The problem started just this week. Injectors were all replaced this spring. I'm going to take the filter off and replace it. I'm suspecting that something in the filter assembly is not sealing right or if the water drain itself is leaking.

While you have the filter off look for cracks in the filter housing and around the bleader screw.

sidebite, Im going with injectors on your truck

I found my problem. It's that Mickey Mouse water drain/water sensor in the bottom of the filter that was loose. I was checking out the system & decided to pump my primer pump about 5 or 6 times. It did start getting firmer when I noticed fuel dripping out the bottom of the filter. I reached down to check the sensor & it was very loose. Then I darn near stripped it out. I'll be replacing it very, very soon. I hope this helps anyone else that's having this problem. Check the water sensor/drain!!!!!
:eek:

I found my problem. It's that Mickey Mouse water drain/water sensor in the bottom of the filter that was loose. I was checking out the system & decided to pump my primer pump about 5 or 6 times. It did start getting firmer when I noticed fuel dripping out the bottom of the filter. I reached down to check the sensor & it was very loose. Then I darn near stripped it out. I'll be replacing it very, very soon. I hope this helps anyone else that's having this problem. Check the water sensor/drain!!!!!
:eek:

Hey,

Glad to hear you found the problem. A WIF sensor is cheaper to replace than 8 injectors.!!

I found my problem. It's that Mickey Mouse water drain/water sensor in the bottom of the filter that was loose. I was checking out the system & decided to pump my primer pump about 5 or 6 times. It did start getting firmer when I noticed fuel dripping out the bottom of the filter. I reached down to check the sensor & it was very loose. Then I darn near stripped it out. I'll be replacing it very, very soon. I hope this helps anyone else that's having this problem. Check the water sensor/drain!!!!!
:eek:

Yep, similar thing here. I noticed yesterday a very faint drip coming out of the pet****. Sure enough, took off the filter put a new one on and tightened it down. No more issues. Apparently just enough air can get in to make it pissed off. Now the pump on the filter assembly remains fairly firm.

The truck has been sitting since driving it for a while yesterday for 14 hours. Went out and fired it up just now, no problems.

Hey,

Glad to hear you found the problem. A WIF sensor is cheaper to replace than 8 injectors.!!

That's what I'm talking about ..... That's what I'm screamin'!!!
:muahaha:

Yep, similar thing here. I noticed yesterday a very faint drip coming out of the pet****. Sure enough, took off the filter put a new one on and tightened it down. No more issues. Apparently just enough air can get in to make it pissed off. Now the pump on the filter assembly remains fairly firm.

The truck has been sitting since driving it for a while yesterday for 14 hours. Went out and fired it up just now, no problems.

Great news DERTY - Thanks to all - great minds we're able to sort this out!!!
:rockit: :rocking: :thumb:

I am starting to have to samething happen to me I looked yesterday and sure enough the pump on top of the filter was easy to pump , I pumped it up to firm and looked for leaks I couldn't see or feel any fuel around the filter. What are some other things to look for ? is this somthing common to injectors leaking ? would there be fuel in the oil ? so far its not throwing any codes and the truck runs fine except for the harder to start thing.

DJack, I pumped the thing about 5 or 6 times & it got firm. That's when I noticed the fuel dripping from the bottom of the fuel filter. When I reached under the filter to check the water in fuel sensor it was loose - very loose. Like I turned it at least 1 round to even start feeling it snug up. I was amazed it wasn't leaking more fuel than it did. I had also never had that happen before & I've put several filters on the old buggy since it was new. So, check out that plastic piece of crap on the bottom of your filter & see if it's loose NOTE: Don't over tighten it like I did. I got a little to gung ho! My truck has fired up like a champ every since.
Good luck man!

Thanx Sidebite I'll look when I get home today

Ok never found a leak got in the truck saturday to goto the store and it started just fine came home had to run back to the store and wouldn't start at all. got up sunday and it started. not sure what is going on. it still hasn't thrown any codes. Fuel pump? need help here thanx guy's