2001 6 speed. So here's the story. Lately when the truck sits over night it cranks 10 seconds if not more to start. Rest of the day is no issue. I've got 20psi to the vp44. I've parked nose down. I've checked every bolt and fuel line. I've checked and load tested the batteries. Batteries are a touch on the weak side but not bad. I cannot for the life of me figure it out. Fuel tubes and injectors were pulled and re o ringed ect. A year ago. Any ideas? I'm honestly down to replacing the vp44 check valve and the fuel heater on the canister o rings. I understand its losing prime somehow but I'm having a hell of a time finding where. Once it fires up its bump the key and it pops. I'm going to pull the LP fuse next and see what happens. If that dosent help I'll pinch off the return line before the tank and see what happens. Any insight would be great.

Vp44 is less than a year old. Wait to start light works as it should as per normal. No excessive smoke ect. Turn the key to on and LP kicks on for the split second as per. Truck runs / sounds as normal once it starts in the morning. Cannot figure this out. 

18 minutes ago, Liviniuk said:

Just thinking if dirty/bad connection, would cause truck to turn over slower, make it harder to start in the AM with a cold engine.

 

Typically causes are starter contacts and the brushes are worn out in the starter. Being the starter contacts bridge when the solenoid pulls it closed and supplies the power to the starter motor. A common issue and cheap to fix. The brushes do eventually wear down and typically one brush will be too short to make contact and the starter now rolls at 1/2 power and speed.

Edited May 8, 20195 yr by Mopar1973Man

I have had hard start issues a couple times.  Just recently it was after I changed injectors.  I figured I had a leaking injector feed tube.  Checked and re-torqued to no avail.  It turned out to be a leaking supply line washer, this did not leak fuel just let air in.  Changed all 4 that led up to the VP and no more problems.  With that said mine would fire right off then die/ sputter.  That is what eventually led me to the supply side of things.  I have also had the intake heater corrode and fail.  That led to slow starting as well but also to poor running until things got warmed up a little (maybe 30 sec) .  Maybe a little more info on how it runs/starts would be helpful in chasing down weather its electrical or fuel related.  I know these trucks start way better with good batteries especially in cold weather.

It will or has been until this morning crank for 10 seconds or so then pop off. Idle will be perfect, no sputter no quitting. In the winter plugged in it would pop off no problem. Once imafyer the initial morning start its smooth sailing rest of day. Shut the truck off for a few hours and it will still start right now. It's just over night. Until like I said earlier I cleaned up the batteries and all connections last night and left the fuel cap open a hair, and this morning it fired right up maybe 1.5 revolutions as per usual. Was +2, +3 celcius when I started it. So that's why I'm almost wondering if it is battery related or a clogged tank vent because something changed

I think you are on the right path.  Does your amp meter fluctuate indicating the grid heater is working?  Like everyone said good batteries and clean connections make a huge difference.  How old are your current batteries? Might be worth getting them load checked.

 

21 minutes ago, Liviniuk said:

So that's why I'm almost wondering if it is battery related or a clogged tank vent because something changed

 

What is your fuel pressure during the morning start? Does it drop out and rise? That is an air bubble. Tank vent is possible being as the fuel cools it will create a natural vacuum if the tank vent is plugged up. 

It will do the split second spike to say 15ish or so then yes slowly bleed down to zero. I let the grid do its thing then when it starts its straight to 20-22psi and no drawn down

While cranking? What is the fuel pressure?

 

24 minutes ago, Mopar1973Man said:

 

What is your fuel pressure during the morning start? Does it drop out and rise? That is an air bubble. Tank vent is possible being as the fuel cools it will create a natural vacuum if the tank vent is plugged up. 

Just thinking out loud here but wouldn't there have to be a leak in the fuel system for the vacuum to pull the fuel back out of the system? Cooling fuel can definitely create substantial vacuum just look at a 5 gal gas can.  Either way it should be easy to check with shop vac or an air compressor.

I haven't watched the pressure when cranking...but when I've bumped the starter it goes from 0 to 22ish like right now

Yes batteries fluctuate as per standard procedure. And they are 3 years old which makes me wonder. I did load test them yesterday and they did check out. They were in the green, and yes I checked them individually. I also tested while charging and that also checked out

I've had issues with 3rd and 4th gens over the years and batteries, where they get a bit weak and everything is a downhill slide so it makes me wonder again. They load tested but just passed

Thanks for all the replies fellas. I appreciate the ideas your coming in with. This is a great forum. Thanks!!

You might want to get in on the injector raffle!  

HahaHaha sounds like a plan but I dont think I need injectors lol

23 hours ago, Liviniuk said:

...... Ya. The banjo on the back of the head was cleaned and installed with new washers and tee has been checked. I could always change the push on o ring for what its worth. 

I think you are stating you still use one of the original push on or quick connects in the system?

 

If you do, slap some wheel bearing grease on there, and see if you problem disappears for a few days...... 

 

If it does there is your issue. 

 

my truck insta starts if it has not drained back.  It takes between 7 and 10 seconds of constant cranking when it does drain back.

 

HTH

 

Hag

2 months later...problem solved...

Believe it or not...the only damn hose I did not check or even thought of was the fuel pressure gauge hose....it rubbed a pin hole leak from vibration....finally rubbed enough to see fuel pissing out of it. Was in a really crappy spot that was not accessible to the eye. The old 01 fires like a top again!!!!

Goog to hear. It dont take much of a leak.

On 7/24/2019 at 3:37 PM, Liviniuk said:

2 months later...problem solved...

Believe it or not...the only damn hose I did not check or even thought of was the fuel pressure gauge hose....it rubbed a pin hole leak from vibration....finally rubbed enough to see fuel pissing out of it. Was in a really crappy spot that was not accessible to the eye. The old 01 fires like a top again!!!!

 

Might want to follow my write up no issues...

Even @mr.obvious has built a setup similar and I'll have to get photos and post up later.

So...after 4 months of putting up with the hard start...I canned the junk lift pump again and went fass titanium. Then I popped the valve cover retorqued all the injectors, also injection lines. Damn thing starts half a crank. Why didnt I do this 6 months ago thought I'd post and help someone else out. I did get half a turn maybe a bit more out of the 8mm injector hold down bolts and injector nuts. Who knows. It's been rock solid for a week now so, here's to hoping!

Injector hold downs are suppose to be torqued to 89 inch/pounds.