01 s-10 only starts with starter fluid

[lawspot101]

i let the oil run low in my 2001 s-10 2wd, 4.3 6cyl, and after idleing for a few hours while playing games with my bro, i put it in drive and it died. wouldnt start after that. i cheked my fluids and dicovered my oil was barely registering! topped off oil, still wouldnt start. came back next day when it was cold & still wouldnt start. finally sprayed starter fluid in it and feathered the gas pedal & it started. drove it around and turned it off, wouldnt start. more starter fliud & ut starts. drives ok after starting except i cant floor it without it spuderring and having a few small backfires. i can build to full speed if i floor pedal very slowly. i dont have any error codes. any ideas friends?

[MT-2500]

Go easy on the starting fluid.
Only use carb cleaner for starting aid.
Your hard to start problems.
Points to low fuel pressure.

The only true test on a fuel pump is to check the direct fuel pressure from fuel pump.
A quick test is to block off the return line and see if fuel pressure comes up to 75-85 lbs.
But do not run the pump at full pressure very long.
Also when testing fuel pump and pressure you need to tape a gauge to outside windshield or outside mirror and drive it on the road for 20 -30 minutes
until the pump gets has run a while to check for a pump fading out after hot.

Hard to start cold or hot and fuel pressure testing guide lines.
Check cold start fuel pressure.
Check engine running fuel pressure.
Check engine running on the road fuel pressure.
Then shut it off and watch for fast leak down.
Pinch off at rubber part or block off return line and check full pressure.
If pump has full pressure with return line blocked and low pressure without it blocked most usually the fuel pressure regulator is leaking or not holding pressure.
Later V6 and V8 gm engines should have 60-66 fuel pressure.
Cold start should be 64-65 lbs of pressure.
If you do not have full fuel pressure on a cold start the injectors will not squirt fuel.
Do not leave home without it.
Engine running should be 60-66 lbs pressure depending on engine load.
Full pressure with return pinched off should be 75-85 or more.
And if it has a fast leak down after shut off you have a leak in system.
Post back fuel pressure readings.

[hakogen]

i had the same problem with my 2.2 and a buddy with a 4.3 sonoma had the issue as well... it turned out to be the fuel pump. low pressure on startup... be prepared to replace it.