2001 4.3L hard starter

[polk383]

Hey everyone, I am new to here and I have done some searching for a indefinite answer and did not find exactly what I was looking for. Well, here goes! I've got a 2001 S10 with a 4.3 in it. Lately I have noticed it is hard to start hot and cold. I pulled the throttle body off of it and did not see, nor really smell gas in the intake. So I put a fuel pressure gauge on it. As soon as you turn the key on the pump comes alive and brings it up to 58 psi but, immediately after the pump shuts down the pressure dropping about 2 psi a second (maybe a little bit more). Now, I know that is not right! But, when the truck runs the pressure holds very well. When you shut the truck off with the gauge on it the pressure holds. Anyone have any thoughts as to what would cause the pressure to hold when the truck is done running but, not when you just cycle the pump on and then off without the truck running? I was thinking pump at this point in time since the regulator is not leaking otherwise that would have been apparent when the throttle body was off since it is in the intake anyways. Any ideas are much appreciated!

[whitetrash982]

what you have is a leaky pressure line on the fuel pump, its very common problem, it happened to mine. what happens , is in the fuel pump assembly in the tank , theres a pressure line that goes from the actual pump to the base plate on the assembly , these lines like to spring leaks, and unfortuantly , GM doesnt sell just the line. have to buy a whole new fuel pump sorry to say , and is usually somewhere in the neighborhood of 400$. as far as changing it , dont bother dropping the tank , waste of time and a pain in the ass. pull the bed off , 2 bolts on each corner , 3 screws in the filler neck , 2 ground wires on the back inside of the frame, and a wireing harness , 2 guys can lift the bed up , just make sure you put it on some milk crates so you dont tweek the bottom , and the fuel pump is plenty easy to change , JUST MAKE SURE YOU DISCONNECT THE BATTERY FIRST, sparks and fuel dont mix. but for the pump , just 3 quick connect fittings, a really big snap ring and 2 plugs, cake. just make sure you test it out before you put the bed back on , and by the way , the ground on the back of the frame is for the fuel pump , so if you dont reconnect it , the pump wont turn on

[polk383]

whitetrash982, thanks you for the information! So the pump comes as a full assembly and not just the pump itself? That stinks oh well! Looks like i have a project tomorrow! lol Once again thanks for the info whitetrash982 it is much appreciated!!