2004 Chevy Silverado V6 100k miles. When I crank the engine, it acts like it is getting no gas whatsoever. This goes on for about 5 seconds and then it comes to life. If I crank it just a couple of seconds then stop and try again, it starts right up. This happens whether the engine is hot or cold. I replaced the fuel filter about a year ago.
Any ideas? It’s not currently a big deal but I’d rather that it didn’t get worse.
Fuel pump going bad.
Old trick at auto auctions with cars that act like yours is to turn the key on and off several times. Usually works. Not sure why. Maybe it just jars a sticking fuel pump loose.
Possibly leaky injector(s) or bad check valve. Fuel injection runs off higher pressures than carbs, and are designed to maintain that pressure even after shutting off the engine. A leaky injector or bad check valve will cause the system to lose pressure. When starting, the pump has to pressurize the system again before the engine will start.
It could also be a weak pump that is barely adequate. Chevy trucks are known for fuel pump failure (first and second hand experience).
Turn the key on without starting, wait a few seconds, turn the key off, and repeat a time or two. This gives the pump time to build pressure. See if it will then start right up.
I would suggest finding and joining a Chevy truck forum and asking there. I suspect there is a common cause that members there can help you diagnose and replace.
I’m no mechanic, but based on what you describe it could be a simpler problem than those already mentioned. Most fuel-injected petrol engines prime the cylinders with a small injection of fuel when you turn on the ignition, so that when you crank the engine there is already fuel in there, ready to start the car instantly. Whereas what may be happening with your car is the fuel pump only kicks in when you turn the key far enough to crank the starter motor. This means the engine is trying to start on nothing but air for the first couple of seconds (which obviously will not work), then the fuel gets going and it starts. Whereas if you crank it for 2 seconds, this starts the fuel flowing (but not for long enough to start the engine - this is what should happen when you turn the ignition on but prior to cranking the starter motor, as I described above). Then when you crank it again, fuel is already in the cylinders so it starts promptly.
So it may be that the fuel pump is fine and part of the ignition wiring is not functioning correctly. As to how you replace that, you’ll need a mechanic to come along and give you more details for that. I second the suggestion to ask on an owner’s forum for that car.
Like others have said, something in the fuel system. Either the pump isn’t coming up to pressure fast enough or something, like a leaky injector, is allowing pressure to drain down quickly.
A good mechanic with a fuel pressure gauge should be able to troubleshoot the problem pretty quickly.
Is the Check Engine Light coming on? If so what are the codes?
Well I dunno man but are you heating the injectors first?
You can flatten a battery if you overlook this simple step.
Heating the injectors?
Nonsense. Maybe he’s thinking about engaging glow plugs on a diesel engine, which heat the combustion chamber area (not the injectors) and which obviously do not apply to a gasoline engine.
Sounds like a Cold-Start Valve gone bad…essentially, an extra fuel injector plumbed into the manifold. A cold engine can fire up easier if the air-fuel ratio is rich.
Might need a new Johnson rod.
Cold start valve? Common in some earlier systems (till ~ 20 years ago), not used on this vehicle.
Fuel line check valve isn’t holding fuel in the line after you shut the engine off. My Jeep Grand Cherokee was doing the same thing. I replaced my in-tank fuel pump, which on my vehicle has the check valve built in. Starts immediately now.
This is word for word almost the answer I was going to post. So I second it.