Trouble Shooting hard start on my truck

kwm · 02-26-2008, 08:45 AM

As usual when I can not find answers elsewhere in life I come back to the well of knowledge. Wondering if anyone can help me troubleshoot a issue with my winter time truck. It is a 01 Ext cab Chevy S10 2.2L with 80k. I recently did a tune up of sorts at 75K with new plugs, belts, belt tensioner, and a few other minor things. In the past 2 months I have noticed a hard start problem when my fuel level is low (low mind you but not out). I am the type that will put just enough gas in on Monday morning to get me to and from work till Fri night. When the fuel level got real low (but not out) a few months ago it would not start from cold on a Sat morning. I put some gas from my gas can in the garage in it and it started. Since I have noticed this I now have to keep more and more gas in it for it to start form cold. Parking on slopes or slight grades may have some impact as well but not sure about that. It now needs at least a gallon of gas in it before it will start. I have never changed the fuel filter but not sure how/what impact this may have. I have also considered that it could be a fuel pump issue but once again not sure how this would relate. Then last night I pulled in the drive and parked. Then about 45 mins later I had to leave so we could take my wife's new Enclave in to have a door scratch repaired (damn careless ********* shoppers) and the thing started then died. I then got it restared and took it to the gas station for more gas. Any ideas what the problem could be? I am a bit worried about it b/c my wife has to drive it while her Enclave is in the shop and we have a newborn at home. Thanks

oldE · 02-26-2008, 08:50 AM

I think you were on the right track with the fuel pump. Lower gas levels in the tank means it has to generate more relative pressure to get the gas up to the fuel injection system.
It might be just the filter, but I doubt it.

Les

kwm · 02-26-2008, 08:54 AM

Thanks oldE. I am guessing the fuel pump is in the gas tank right? I have seen them in different places on domestics and I have not worked on anything to a large degree besides my SC in a long time. I did go under it with a creeper on Sat and did not see a external fuel pump. I saw the filter thought.

onewhippedpuppy · 02-26-2008, 08:56 AM

Start cheap, swap out the fuel filter. If you let the gas get low, it might suck up crud from the bottom of the tank and partially plug the filter. You'll probably be out $10 and 15 minutes. Some vehicles have a sock type filter on the fuel pick-up in the tank as well, maybe it's getting temporarily clogged.

How about just keeping it full of gas? In most vehicles, letting them get below 1/4 tank increases wear on the in-tank fuel pump. Without the surrounding gas to cool them, they get hot and wear quicker. Not to mention the increased chances of picking up stuff off of the bottom of the tank.

Porsche_monkey · 02-26-2008, 08:57 AM

It is very very unlikely the filter is the issue, since the truck runs fine once it starts.

You need a fuel pressure gage to properly diagnose the problem. But my guess is low fuel pressure resulting in a lean start. You might try spraying 'quick start' into the engine when it doesn't start, if it fires up right away on ether you know it is not a spark issue, and is therefore likely fuel related.

A lot of people will tell you that running your vehicle low on gas shortens the life of the fuel pump, a) it is slighlty more work for the pump, and b) the cooling effect of being totally submerged in fuel is lost.

I would recommend you bite the bullet and fill the tank to the top when you are low.

onewhippedpuppy · 02-26-2008, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwm

Thanks oldE. I am guessing the fuel pump is in the gas tank right? I have seen them in different places on domestics and I have not worked on anything to a large degree besides my SC in a long time. I did go under it with a creeper on Sat and did not see a external fuel pump. I saw the filter thought.

Years ago I changed the fuel pump on an older S10, it was internal and required dropping the tank. Not a fun job. Just put more gas in the damn thing. If you have an Escalade and Enclave, you can afford gas for a 4-cylinder S10.

kwm · 02-26-2008, 09:07 AM

I guess I could just put more gas in it but have you seen the price of gas? No seriously, I kind of thought that the low fuel issue has sort of revealed or given me a early warning to a problem on the horizion. I mean I do take this truck camping with my family and to the coast sometimes too so I can not have it ****ting the bed on me. I would say it is the fuel pump as well. This should be a fun repair.

Jims5543 · 02-26-2008, 09:14 AM

I know nothing about S10's. Can you access the fuel tank via a panel or does it have to be dropped?

In tank pump? Check the pickup is still on correctly, and then make sure the hose fittings on the pump are not split and on all the way.

onewhippedpuppy · 02-26-2008, 09:41 AM

After you fight through a fuel pump, you might feel differently about the price of gas.

gr8fl4porsche · gr8fl4porsche's Garage

Bad fuel pumps are common on chevy trucks. We replace them every few years on my work trucks. The symptoms are hard starts with lots of cranking, then eventually a no start situation. Now, as soon as a truck cranks a few times before it starts, we drop the tank and replace the pump, really sucks when you have a full tank. Time to replace the filter as well.

kwm · 02-26-2008, 10:25 AM

gr8fl4porsche
We do love the Enclave. Honestly, I am surprised by it. The weirdest part is that I am 34 my wife is 27 and we are both car people and young and heart and always viewed Buick as a OLD MAN'S car company but there is nothing old about this car IMO. We got into it because of the of the birth of a child and a 911, GTi, and pickup where not going to cut it. We also got into it b/c my wife's grandpartents are retired from GM so we recieved something called a GMS Family discount and that discount was substantial. We ordered it b/c we wanted Ming Blue with black leather and we could not find that combo anyplace. I was not a big fan of domestics. Actually I bad-mouthed domestics any chance I got. We were in the market for a Tribeca or a MDX and the Enclave blew them out of the water (GMS price break or not) as far as we were concerned. It has good fit and finish. The interior components do not feel cheap and plastic-y but with a sold feel to them. We orded the large chrome wheel package and the plateing on the wheels is very even, seems thick, and the cover for the lugs is of high quality. I love the looks as well from profile, back, front I feel it looks good from any angle. We are also long time haters of the SUV explosion and this really does not remind me of a SUV at all. We drove for a whole weekend the Mazda CX9, the MDX (which I did like a lot but the price was WAY too high), Tribeca, Lincoln MKX (or MKZ I forget). We also looked at the GMC Acadia but I did not like the looks from the rear, was a little too boxy for me, and the warranty was not as good. I see so many of those damn Lexus RS330s and we drove a certified used one and it was CRAP! I could not see how anyone would pick it over a Enclave. It had a carp-ass muffler hanging off the back instead of dual stainless ovals, the wheels sucked, the power sucked, and no 3rd row. Plus the Buick is the ONLY one that had a really useable 3rd row for adults. My parents have ridden back there etc.. went fine and the 3rd row in the others was a joke, it was for looks only. We also ordered a dual sunroof set up which is really nice and the cherry is the 100k warranty which no one else in the CUV game had anything close to that. Buick (probably b/c they deal with old people) has a great service reputaiton and I can tell you that so far at least it is as advertised. The car came to me with a minor paint blemish on the rear bumper and they took it in, repaired it, gave me another Enclave as a loaner eventhough they stay on the lot like 5 secs after they come off the truck. The final factor that sold us was the choice between seating layouts. You can get captain's chairs or bench seats. We wanted captain's chairs so as to have the pass-threw in the middle of the car like a mini-van. In our set up you can get from the middle of the car all the way to the back liftgate area very easily to get stuff out of a ice chest or out of luggage etc. So far very happy! Buick got it right on this one.

gr8fl4porsche · gr8fl4porsche's Garage

Thanks for the review - much appreciated. I too get the GM Family discount which is one the reasons I am considering a GM.

onewhippedpuppy · 02-26-2008, 11:16 AM

kwm, post an update in a while related to the Enclave. I really like the Enclave, I hope it holds up well. I took a chance on a Cadillac, less than a year later I'm selling for a Nissan. Really liked the SRX, but too many little issues. GM does seem to be improving, so I hope your Enclave is trouble-free.