2000 Silverado 5.3 Hesitation on acceleration

I have a 5.3 v8 Silverado. Lately I have noticed that the engine hesitates when I try to accelerate. This only occurs when I'm on the hwy doing 50+mph....If I try to punch it from a speed above 50+, I just don't get a response..The engine sputters and I can feel the hesitation in the pedal. The rpm's go up, but the engine seems to be starved for fuel.

However, on my last trip to the gas station I put 93 octane in my tank and the problem seems to have subsided.

My question is where to begin...Air filter, fuel filter, leak, pcv, egr ?

Thanks in advance.

Jonathan Phelps

What year, mileage, 1500/2500, HD, modifications...?

Have you every replaced the fuel filter? That would be the first place I would check.

//2000CAYukon

I would ask the same question as earlier, mileage, i also agree a fuel filter probably wouldnt hurt (easy change) takes no more than a half hour. Try running some fuel system cleaner, and depending on mileage maybe a tune up.

I have a 5.3 v8 Silverado. Lately I have noticed that the engine hesitates when I try to accelerate. This only occurs when I'm on the hwy doing 50+mph....If I try to punch it from a speed above 50+, I just don't get a response..The engine sputters and I can feel the hesitation in the pedal. The rpm's go up, but the engine seems to be starved for fuel.

However, on my last trip to the gas station I put 93 octane in my tank and the problem seems to have subsided.

My question is where to begin...Air filter, fuel filter, leak, pcv, egr ?

Thanks in advance.

Jonathan Phelps

Have you checked the blinker fluid levels? Alot of people forget to do that, you know? :naughty:

JK....Definitely sounds like fuel filter or the pump is going out. That and/or the regulator. My brother who has been a lifelong mechanic says the fuel pumps and regulators go out all the time in these trucks. I just bought my first chevy (silverado 2001 5.3 2wd) at his advice. He says that is the first thing I will need on my truck: (fuel pump/regulator)

But you may have something else. I would rule out the basics, then go from there. Do you have hard starts after truck sits for a few minutes, but no problems when truck has sit overnight? (regulator).....DO you have hesitation at higher speeds, but not so at lower speeds? (fuel pump or fuel pump screen clogged).

These are of course opinions. You are entitled to use them if you like :naughty:

Good luck!!
Hannibal

Thanks for all the responses..

And to answer the previous questions it is a 2001 Silverado 1500. 4WD Z71. I have 140k on the 5.3 V8.

I will start with the fuel filter because I have done that before and it is an easy task.

Is the fuel pump something that can be done by a novice mechanic? Or is it a more complicated job?

Thanks for all the responses..

And to answer the previous questions it is a 2001 Silverado 1500. 4WD Z71. I have 140k on the 5.3 V8.

I will start with the fuel filter because I have done that before and it is an easy task.

Is the fuel pump something that can be done by a novice mechanic? Or is it a more complicated job?

The fuel tank will have to be lowered (4-6 bolts and a few hose clamps and an electrical plug and ground)

You can do it! Just be sure your tank is not too full (trust me) .

Its easy. When you see what the fuel pump looks like your going to understand why it went out. It looks like an empty toilet paper roll and weighs about as much too.

Thanks Hanibal...I don't know if I can change the pump myself because I always get my ass chewed at home for not changing the tp roll out...Maybe the wife should tackle this project...

It sounds like the filter and pump is definately the problem...besides it's been 30k since the filter was changed and I have had the truck since 40k on odometer and I have never changed the pump..Sounds like I have been lucky to get this far on it...

I have an excuse to take a day off work and get my hands dirty..

Thanks again to all

Your problem sounds a lot like mine, but I sure hope it is not, as I have done all of the previously mentioned things and more, and still have the problem, only now the acceleration problem also happens at lower speeds. It does not happen all the time; some days the truck wakes up and runs good, but more often than not, it sucks.

The one thing mine is doing that I cannot figure out is that the coils fire to the iron. You can only see it in the dark, and it is most pronounced on the driver's side. I have replaced all 8 coils, and it still does it. I've replaced plugs and wires, fuel filter and fuel pump. The pump did help my mileage, but not the power.

As for changing the pump, if you have an engine hoist or a few friends, removing the bed is another option which doesn't require an empty tank or require the fuel lines to bend too much.

Your problem sounds a lot like mine, but I sure hope it is not, as I have done all of the previously mentioned things and more, and still have the problem, only now the acceleration problem also happens at lower speeds. It does not happen all the time; some days the truck wakes up and runs good, but more often than not, it sucks.

The one thing mine is doing that I cannot figure out is that the coils fire to the iron. You can only see it in the dark, and it is most pronounced on the driver's side. I have replaced all 8 coils, and it still does it. I've replaced plugs and wires, fuel filter and fuel pump. The pump did help my mileage, but not the power.

As for changing the pump, if you have an engine hoist or a few friends, removing the bed is another option which doesn't require an empty tank or require the fuel lines to bend too much.

you dont need a hoist all you need is a buddy to help sccot it back about 2 feet

you dont need a hoist all you need is a buddy to help sccot it back about 2 feet

Seriously, it only has to go back about 2 feet? Well, damn, that makes things easier than I was expecting. I'm trying to prepare for when I have to change mine out.

I have the same issue, mine hesitates at lower speeds when you increase speed from 40-50MPH it feels like the engine misses, hesitates, bucks and jerks the entire truck. If I press on down on the gas it feels like the tranny down shifts and when the RPM's reach about 2000 it stops the hesitation and goes right on down the road. It broke down with failed fuel pump. I have replaced the fuel pump, filter and press. regulator. Suggestion "RockAuto.com" has great prices on these items. Once I replaced these parts it started right up, but the hesitation did not go away. Two days later it would not start, then doing nothing it started like there never was a problem. I have been driving it now for about 3 days, and the hesitation is getting progressivly worse. I have code P0453 Evaporitive Emmission Control System Press. Sensor high Input. I have found everything from "bad ECM, (computer)", "open or short in vapor press. sensor circuit", "bad vapor pressure sensor", to "vacuum leaks" in or maybe even a "bad ground". The is all related to monitoring fuel tank pressure via control module to detect decay and excess vacuum during the enhanced evaporative emmission (EVAP) diagnostic. What do I do next, I have no idea, I just located this data tonight, looking for solutions, anyone with an answer please shorten my struggle.

start new posting with your issues..
this is 4years old..

start new posting with your issues..
this is 4years old.. yeah I didn't even look at the date, in any case I got a few emails none of which helped. It seems no one figured out the solution. In my case I figured out the code P0453 was not my problem. I found (2) faulty spark plug wires, installed new plugs, wires an cleaned the EVAP VSV purge valve, then cleared the code with a hand held OBD II reader from Wal Mart and it runs like a new truck. The code was actually related to the failing fuel pump and I had not ran it enough after replacing the fuel pump for the compter to clear it on its own. Lesson here is take the time to do the simple things first.