'99 C1500 hard to start and rough idle?

[RickRose1]

My '99 Siverado starts up easy in the morning but once it warms up and I turn it off, the next time I try to start the motor I have to keep cranking it for a good 5-7 seconds before it starts. When it starts it idles rough and the exhaust smells really rich. Once I get it on the road it seems to run fine. I think I have a miss fire on the number 1 hole also.
Can anyone help?

[simple_country_guy]

I really think that it is your fuel pressure regulator. The only thing that is throwing me is that it really shouldn't start in the morning without cranking it alittle. It is supposed to be like a one way check valve. After the fuel goes through it it stays there so the injectors have it available. When this goes bad it leaks the fuel back into the tank. So when you go to start the truck it has to suck the gas back through the valve.

[Jeremy-WI]

Fuel pressure regulator is probably leaking through the vacuum line into the intake, makes the vehicle act flooded on start. If you wait long enough the gas will evaporate. Hopefully he has a NBS truck with the 4.8 or 5.3L engine- a lot easier to change regulator on the new ones

[dhughins]

I had same problem on my 2000, it was the fuel pump. where is this regulator everyone keeps talking about? it was 700 to have my fuel pump replaced.

[RickRose1]

I appreciate everyones feed back. I will start with the fuel pressure regulator this weekend and let you all know how it went.

Thanks again!

[Garys99-3/4ton]

just learned about this site... pretty awesome....

My truck is doing the EXACT same thing..... what did you find out?
I sure would like to replace the fuel pressure regulator (20 bucks and 5 minutes) instead of a fuel pump (300 bucks and 2-3 hours).

Thanks guys!

[RickRose1]

I did not get it done last weekend. My time did not allow. Hopefully I can get to it this weekend. I hope it's not the fuel pump either! When I do get around to doing it i will be sure and let you guys know how it went.

Thanks!

[gregh1]

Have same problem with my '97. Been going on for awhile, my fuel pump QUIT 2 weeks ago. Had it replaced by my mechanic for $400 (included $80 towing bill). Started right up for a few days, now the slow starting when warm is occurring again. Service Engine light started coming on/off every other day, autozone says reads "Bank 1 and Bank 2 running rich" and I need to replace those O2 sensors. Planning on doing that this weekend, maybe I'll do the fuel pressure regulator too (once I find where it's located at!).

[Garys99-3/4ton]

It WAS the fuel pressure regulator..... I replaced it on Saturday and haven't had a problem since.... starts fine and idles fine. And Jeremy was right also... the vacuum line was sucking gas out of the regulator, the new one doesn't do that. The part was more than I guessed though. The dealership wants 105 BUCKS! for this part (friend works at dealer so I got it for 60 bucks ). The part comes with all of the new O-rings also, and only takes 5 minutes to replace.

Thank you soooo much Simple Country Guy and Jeremy.... I would have never guessed it was my fuel pressure regulator. I almost bought a new fuel pump.

Good luck Rick Rose

Thank guys.

[gregh1]

Okay, I've got a '97 Silverado. I bought a new regulator for about $60. Based on what I read here, I thought it would be a snap to replace. But I couldn't even locate it (neither could the guy at Autozone). Bought the Chilton's manual, and it looks like you have to remove half the engine (remove upper air manifold, partially drain coolant on 8 cylinder, and a lot more I can't remember and don't have the book with me). I ended up taking the part back for a refund and just putting it off till it gets worse.


SO, am I looking in the wrong place? Or is it really that difficult to get to on a '97, 5.7 ltr?

Thanks!

[Garys99-3/4ton]

I have a 99 with the 6.0 liter Vortec. All I had to do was remove the plastic cover that says Vortec on it and I was staring right at the thing. It is located on the fuel rail on the driver side of the engine. Just remove the retainer clip and it pulls right out.

I was reading another thread called "Fuel Pressure Regulator" from somebody who has a 96' I believe... it sounds like a real Bear to replace one on the 5.7 with the older body style. I think you were looking in the right place.... it's just a pain to get to. Sorry man.

[gregh1]

That's what I was afraid of. Thanks for the reply.

[jdstone]

Mine acted as if it was slightly flooded when starting cold or hot and started easier if the pedal was held to the floor and released immediately when it started. The idle was somewhat rough. Previously it had been very smooth.

I unpluged the fuel regulator vac line and saw no immediate signs of gas, so I rolled up a skinny piece of notebook paper and inserted it into the vacuum fitting on top of the regulator and the paper came out soaked with gas. So it appears that it is sucking gas thru the regulator diaphram and into the Intake, causing the too rich gas mixture.

The part is about $78 at the GM dealer and about $48 at the local parts stores that carry Delco parts.

Just found the symptoms listed this morning here on the forum and it was very helpful to diagnose the problem!

I'll post later if a new regulator resolved the problem completely.