2000 silverado hard starting

Hi all,

I have a 2000 silverado LS Z71 with 5.3l and 66k on the clock. The truck hasn't been driven much in the last year and until recently ran perfectly. I always turn the key to the run position for about 3-5 secs before starting so that might have caused the issue also.

Currently the truck starts instantly when cold. As soon as I hear the motor turn over, the truck is started. If I run the truck at operating temperature, turn it off and immediately restart, it starts instantly. The problem is when I leave it sit for 30-90 (all I have verified) mins. If the temp guage in the dash reads below 200 but more than 160, I seem to have a hard time starting. It cranks for 5-7 seconds, kicks a bit and then runs like crap for about 10 seconds. After that, the truck runs fine. I don't notice any power loss and no codes are stored either. It has been happening more and more often but the symptoms don't seem to change and it's very intermittant.

One more thing, one time I heard a clicking sound under the hood when I turned the key to the run position with engine in affected temp range. That noise lasted for about 3 seconds and then went silent. I could not get the clicking noise back again turning the key off/on repeatedly. Sounded like it came from the drivers side near the firewall on top of the engine.

Does this sounds like a fuel pressure regulator? If so, are these a DIYer job and is there a way to test mine to know for sure?

TIA (sorry for the long post, but I want to get all the details I can),

Derek

Reply to
genius
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The clicking sound wouldn't be the FPR, but the rest of it may be. It's easy enough to check. Find the FPR on the fuel rail, top drivers side of engine. It will have a single vacuum hose attached to it. Pull the hose off and if there is ANY fuel in it, it is bad. Simple 5 minute fix but it'll cost you $

70-$80 dollars.

Dave

Reply to
Hairy

My 98 did the same thing just before the starter quit. Your fuel pump in the tank may getting weak after it warms up. Good Luck Doug

Reply to
Doug

I had the exact same symproms and it was the Fuel Pressure Regulator. Very easy to change.

Reply to
Jake

Thanks for the info guys. Will tear into it this sat and keep my fingers crossed. I'll post back with the results.

Reply to
genius

Hey guys, thanks for all the info. I tackled the fuel pressure regulator saturday and as soon as I pulled off the vacuum line, fuel poured out of it. I checked with the dealer and they wanted $113 for the part. I then went to NAPA and got one for $60. Upon installing, I noticed that the screen and the little o-ring on the end of the new FPR was not on my old one. Those parts were still in the fuel rail. I got the screen out and the o-ring popped out also. The problem is that the o-ring then managed to fall in the back of the FPR housing and then disappeared. I turned the key on, flushing fuel out the FPR assembly but didn't see the o-ring come out. I crossed my fingers and put in the new FPR. One problem here was that the vacuum fitting on the NAPA one was substantially smaller diameter than the stock one. I had to zip tie the vacuum line to the FPR for good measure. What are the chances that little o-ring will damage something? The truck drives fine and my problem does seem to be solved.

Thanks again,

Derek

Reply to
genius

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