I have a 2004 (made late 2003) 2500HD with the Duramax/Allison. It only has 3500 miles on it and I am starting to have a problem with it. About 6 weeks ago it would not start first thing in the morning. I waited for the glowplug light to go out and cranked it as usual but there was no sign of starting. I repeated the starting sequence a half dozen times but no luck. The check engine light was not on and there were no other signs of problems. I let it sit and came back about 2 hours later and it started on the first try. It ran fine with no hint of any problems and started on the first crank every day for the next two weeks. Then it did the same thing again. After numerous tries to start it I just let it sit for a couple of hours and then it started on the first crank. Again there were no other symptoms or problems. It ran fine and started on the first crank every day for the last 4 weeks up until this morning. I tried a half dozen times to start it and then let it sit for only fifteen minutes. It then started on the first crank and ran just fine all the way to work. I called the dealer but they said there was little chance that would find anything wrong since the engine would not be having any problems when they looked at it and the problem only occurs every few weeks. Any suggestions on troubleshooting that I can do the next time it happens?

Next time it won't start, pump the primer a few times and then try again. If it starts OK then you know that most likely it's an air leak problem. at least then you'll have that info for the dealer to start on dianosing.

Check with the techs, but this is sometimes related to early signs of injector failure. There is TSB on hard starting and it addresses the injectors.

Thanks for the suggestions. Dieselman, do you have the TSB number for the injectors?

i've had the same problem for the last year. usually, the truck wouldn't start after it sat in the sun all day. it has been in the shop 4 times and all the dealers say is that they can not fix what they can not duplicate. my advice is to take it in every time it happens and make them log the truck in (for your documentation). gm is refusing to extend my warranty even with the history. i finally called gm cust. service. they are to call me back on thursday. good luck.

I'm interested in what GM customer service will say. That is my next avenue as well with a similar not start issue.

You have a fuel recall problem, they changed my fuel filter housing due to an internal problem that lets fuel run back down to the tank if parked for prolonged times or on hills.

I have a 2004 (made late 2003) 2500HD with the Duramax/Allison. It only has 3500 miles on it and I am starting to have a problem with it. About 6 weeks ago it would not start first thing in the morning. I waited for the glowplug light to go out and cranked it as usual but there was no sign of starting. I repeated the starting sequence a half dozen times but no luck. The check engine light was not on and there were no other signs of problems. I let it sit and came back about 2 hours later and it started on the first try. It ran fine with no hint of any problems and started on the first crank every day for the next two weeks. Then it did the same thing again. After numerous tries to start it I just let it sit for a couple of hours and then it started on the first crank. Again there were no other symptoms or problems. It ran fine and started on the first crank every day for the last 4 weeks up until this morning. I tried a half dozen times to start it and then let it sit for only fifteen minutes. It then started on the first crank and ran just fine all the way to work. I called the dealer but they said there was little chance that would find anything wrong since the engine would not be having any problems when they looked at it and the problem only occurs every few weeks. Any suggestions on troubleshooting that I can do the next time it happens?

I have a 2004 (made late 2003) 2500HD with the Duramax/Allison. It only has 3500 miles on it and I am starting to have a problem with it. About 6 weeks ago it would not start first thing in the morning. I waited for the glowplug light to go out and cranked it as usual but there was no sign of starting. I repeated the starting sequence a half dozen times but no luck. The check engine light was not on and there were no other signs of problems. I let it sit and came back about 2 hours later and it started on the first try. It ran fine with no hint of any problems and started on the first crank every day for the next two weeks. Then it did the same thing again. After numerous tries to start it I just let it sit for a couple of hours and then it started on the first crank. Again there were no other symptoms or problems. It ran fine and started on the first crank every day for the last 4 weeks up until this morning. I tried a half dozen times to start it and then let it sit for only fifteen minutes. It then started on the first crank and ran just fine all the way to work. I called the dealer but they said there was little chance that would find anything wrong since the engine would not be having any problems when they looked at it and the problem only occurs every few weeks. Any suggestions on troubleshooting that I can do the next time it happens? I know what the problem is!
The truck is dying from not being used!!):h):h

Bring it to me and I will put it to the test!!):h):h

When you get it back it will be broke in good and will not have any problems.:D:D

Seriously now, sounds like fuel is draining back. Could be a bad lift pump or a loose line.

Had a similiar problem. My bleeder screw was lose and allowed air into the system. Once it was tightened,and bled the problem stopped. Good luck.