Duramax issue
 

2003 Duramax diesel
Truck has run flawlessly. Late last week, noticed that rather than starting after turning over 5 or 6 times, it seemed to be dragging on a bit. No real problem after starting truck ran fine, pulled hard, no stumbling or smoke at all.
Saturday am, truck spun over and over, no sign of starting. Checked pressure at fuel filter, all good. Turned it over again, stabbed the throttle a few times, then held it to the floor, started right up. Then same story ran fine, no issues.
I figured maybe glow plugs, get a diesel mechanic buddy to scope the truck, and nothing wrong, and of course since Saturday morning truck has fired instantly and run fine.
I hate the thought of mystery issues.
Any wisdom from the brain trust????

bad fuel?

I had a problem like that on an old Ford 7.3 that ended up being a loose injector harness connection. I don't know how the Duramax works but it might be worth looking into.

I just glanced through this but you might take a look
http://www.duramaxforum.com/forum/911-problems-forum/2600-2005-gmc-duramax-wont-start.html

One of the batteries going bad?
My dads old powerstroke would spin but not start if one of the dual batteries was down on charge.

fuel filter..or rather that fuel filter housing thing.

my brother's truck did this and he found himself needing to bleed the system quite often. he said he found a tiny crack at the housing. i think he bought an alum, aftermarket unit.

What Bill said

Give it a bump of brake clean down the blow hole.

Is it only cold or hot? Early dirtymax's have known injector issues. But it doesn't sound like that is your problem. Batteries, glow plugs are my vote.

Run some diesel kleen additive and then look at the Fuel filter housing. Also, consider installing a fuel lift pump/filter combo. We did this to our 2003 GMC. The factory pump is a little underpowered. If it is still misbehaving, probably the dreaded injector replacement.

See this thread: Lift Pump ? - Page 3 - Chevy and GMC Duramax Diesel Forum

I can't recall the brand (not Airdog) that we went with , but it is a combo water separator/fuel filter type pump. Uses Caterpillar and Baldwin filters. Mounts on the frame rail right behind the cab.

UPDATE: Found the link to pump builder.

Duramax Fuel Filter Kit

On my 7.3 Ford, I have had fuel filter issues that wouldn't allow the right amount of fuel to the motor, and also a faulty crank angle sensor that wouldn't allow it to start....just cranked.

On the subject of glow plugs, they are used to warm the fuel at the point of ignition when it's below about 50 degrees, which helps the motor fire in cooler/cold conditions. You may have 1 or more faulty glow plugs, or a glow plug relay that isn't working. A small shot of starting fluid in the intake should make it instantly fire (not too much).

I always run Diesel kleen with every tank full.

Looks like this when installed. Wish the factory would have put something like this on the truck from day 1. But I imagine the bean counters kept them from doing it.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1509450768.jpg

The filter assemblies on all the TDI's also have the H2O drain on the bottom.
Undo the retaining strap, lift filter, drain, reinstall on bracket - done.
All hoses remain connected.
Bill K

My LBZ is completely stock. With that set up, how often id the stock filter changed?

Really depends on how clean your tank is and what you put in it, I know, not what you were looking for. Every ~15k miles seems like a standard recommendation.

I change filter every 15k or every third oil change. Its not driven that much

I change my filter once every year. just because. It is $25.00. Injectors, and the cp3 pump, are big money. I doubt it will be glow plugs. my truck at 160k will start instantly , in the dead cold, without even cycling the glow plugs . Last one I put injectors in , really fought me to get the fuel system bled. It ended up being a small leak in the fuel filter housing .