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Truck Starts then dies, prime it starts again then all is well.

29K views 5 replies 6 participants last post by  crewcab03  
#1 ·
OK, so here is the scenario that 2 stealers have been unable to fix.

If my truck is parked on any hill where the front end is higher than the rest of the truck, I can get in starts fine runs for 15-20 seconds then dies. I get out pop the hood, prime the filter till it is solid then starts right back up and we are on our way.

Never happens if I am parked on level ground or if the front end is lower. Air temp has little or no bearing on the problem.

What has been done in attempts to fix:
2 fuel filters
bled lines
ran 4 hours worth of tests to check injectors
checked condition of plastic bleed screw and o-ring
 
#2 ·
You have a leak between the tank and fuel filter that is pulling air in and breaking the vacuum. Your truck is running on the fuel in the line between the filter and pump. I would start at the filter and check every clamp/fitting all the way to the tank. Push all the hoses on the barb fittings as far as they will go and make sure the clamps are at the right place. I had one I couldn't find. I ended up double mini clamping every hose fitting under the hood. It doesn't take much of a leak to ruin your day. Later! Frank
 
#3 ·
This sounds very familiar....

I had the same problem on my '03 with under 10K miles at the time. Mine would start then die in under 10 seconds and would not restart without repriming the fuel system. It was also very random when it would occur. It took mulitple trips to the dealer and few tow truck trips so the dealer could see the problem since they could never repro it. They replaced the valve stem piece next to the fuel filter thinking I was sucking in air into the fuel line/filter but that didn't fix it. So after a few more trips and days without my truck someone at GM or the local regional manager figured out it was the check valve in the fuel/water seperator was malfunctioning. So a new check valve and I have never experienced the issue again and it has seen another 20K miles. So I would tell your dealer to swap out your check valve and there should be a tech article about it per my occurance since I was told I was the first one in the country to expereince this issue and that's what took so long to diagnois it. Good Luck and I hope this helps since it sounds very familiar.

BTW - I just joined since I just found you guys. I love all the info!!
 
#4 ·
How full was the fuel tank when the truck did this? If the tank was less than 1/4 full that could be your problem.
 
#5 ·
Hum... me had same problem. I Agree with Frank 100%. My truck would start fine, then die after a few seconds it would die-(Parked on my driveway, with the front end higher than the back). I popped open the hood and started shaking & wiggling and tinkering with all the fuel lines, primer pump etc. Found that the fuel filter still had about a 1/4 turn to make a complete tight seal. Tighten it up and have not had a problem since. Good luck!
 
#6 ·
had it happen once as well, started up threw it in gear and dead, I just called the dealer to come get it(was now late to get to work) they primmed it up and started no problems since that time that was 10000 miles ago, on the report just said lost prime nothing fixed or replaced. I was the first they saw do that, the next week went in for some service and the service rep stated another came in latter that week for same problem 03 gmcs.