2000 Suburban starting issue

[Captain Planet]

Hello everyone, new to this forum here. Someone referred me to here thought you might be able to help.

I have a 2000 Suburban that is giving me starting issues. A little more than 2 weeks ago it started starting hard. Starter working fine, but didn't seem like it was getting enough gas because when it starts hard if you hit the gas a little it starts up and runs fine. When starting the lights REALLY were dimming. It was ready for a new battery before this winter anyway so I got a new battery. I have run into where the battery will have enough juice to turn over the car, but not enough to run the fuel pump at the same time, replace battery, fix problem. Well not in this case. I also put in a new fuel filter at the same time as the battery.

It still has the same problem and seems to be getting a little worse. To me it seems like this happens when the truck is already warm. Cold starts don't seem to have this problem, although my wife says it is all the time now. Anyone have this problem?

Thanks in advance for you help and/or suggestions.

[2000CAYukon]

Probably the fuel pressure regulator. They leak and flood the engine and cause hard starting when warm. Cold starts is usually fine since the fuel has evaporated.

Test the fuel pressure and watch what it does after the engine is shut off. It should hold pressure. If the pressure drops, it could be the regulator or a bad injector.

//2000CAYukon

[Captain Planet]

Originally Posted by 2000CAYukon

Probably the fuel pressure regulator. They leak and flood the engine and cause hard starting when warm. Cold starts is usually fine since the fuel has evaporated.

Test the fuel pressure and watch what it does after the engine is shut off. It should hold pressure. If the pressure drops, it could be the regulator or a bad injector.

//2000CAYukon

If the fuel pressure regulator leaks, would that cause me to smell gas after the truck is shut off? I have noticed the smell of gas lately but have not noticed any gas leaking from the new fuel filter I just installed.

If it is a bad injector, wouldn't that cause the engine to run poorly once started?

[2000CAYukon]

Originally Posted by Captain Planet

If the fuel pressure regulator leaks, would that cause me to smell gas after the truck is shut off? I have noticed the smell of gas lately but have not noticed any gas leaking from the new fuel filter I just installed.

If it is a bad injector, wouldn't that cause the engine to run poorly once started?

Both can cause fuel smell. The regulator is a more common issue. For a bad injector, it depends on how much it leaks.

Pull the vacuum hose off the regulator and see if fuel is in the hose.

//2000CAYukon

[Captain Planet]

Originally Posted by 2000CAYukon

Both can cause fuel smell. The regulator is a more common issue. For a bad injector, it depends on how much it leaks.

Pull the vacuum hose off the regulator and see if fuel is in the hose.

//2000CAYukon

Where is the fuel regulator on the engine? I haven't tinkered with this truck much since I have bought it.

[2000CAYukon]

I can't remember which side it is on, but it off the fuel rail. Follow the return fuel line to the fuel rail.

//2000CAYukon

[Captain Planet]

Originally Posted by 2000CAYukon

I can't remember which side it is on, but it off the fuel rail. Follow the return fuel line to the fuel rail.

//2000CAYukon

Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it. Is the fuel pressure regulator an expensive item to fix, and for a do-it-yourselfer like myself, should I try it myself?

THanks again.

[2000CAYukon]

www.rockauto.com shows that there are 2 designs. 1st design is 63 and 2nd design is 54.

No special tools are required. Once you find it, you will have to determine how hard it is to get at. You should relieve the pressure before removing the old regulator.

//2000CAYukon

[wafrederick]

GMs will not run with low fuel pressure and check the fuel pressure.I have seen this with this situtation.The fuel pressure is low and will not run.It might be a fuel pump also.You can get one from the dealer or from any Carquest parts store.Carquest did switch manufacturers of their fuel pumps from Airtex to Delphi.It does say on the box and Delphi makes GM's fuel pumps.

[Captain Planet]

Originally Posted by 2000CAYukon

www.rockauto.com shows that there are 2 designs. 1st design is 63 and 2nd design is 54.

No special tools are required. Once you find it, you will have to determine how hard it is to get at. You should relieve the pressure before removing the old regulator.

//2000CAYukon

Thanks for your help. I found the regulator and pulled the vacuum line and it was full of fuel just as you had suggested. I am going to try to get to it this week.

Thanks again.

[seu174]

I have the same problem and need to replace the pressure regulator. How do I relieve the fuel pressure before I remove the old regulator?

[2000CAYukon]

Originally Posted by seu174

I have the same problem and need to replace the pressure regulator. How do I relieve the fuel pressure before I remove the old regulator?

I use the hose from my fuel pressure gauge. I hook it up to the test port on the fuel rail and put the other end in a jar to capture the fuel.

//2000CAYukon

[Captain Planet]

Originally Posted by seu174

I have the same problem and need to replace the pressure regulator. How do I relieve the fuel pressure before I remove the old regulator?

What I did was just let the truck sit for an hour or so. It is leaking fuel into the intake so it is letting the pressure off. I unhooked the clip that held the fuel pressure regulator and the pressure was gone.

Sorry for the delayed response, I just did this the day after Thanksgiving as I have been busy.

[lazzirus]

Thanks for the info. I was having the same problem with my 2000 Suburban. I pulled the vaccuum line from the regulator and there was fuel there. $60.99 at Autozone and it starts fine now. As an additional note, make sure you pull both o-rings out of the fuel rail. There is a larger one about the size of a quarter, and a small one the size of the end of a pencil. For me, the small one stayed inside when I pulled off the old regulator, so I had to go in after it. It was easy enough, but it would cause trouble if overlooked. Thanks again for the info. These forums are great.