1998 Chevy will not start

[Shrewcub]

Originally Posted by CubDieselFan

I have a fuel pressure gauge so I will test it this afternoon. I can hear the pump run but that does not mean it is enough.

I've seen it numerous times. We used to give them a hit of carb cleaner to help get them started. Those suburbans were too heavy to push uphill into the shop!

[J-Mech]

Originally Posted by Shrewcub

Check fuel pressure. Those engines will not start with less than 55psi. Fuel pump would be the most likely fix. Possible fuel pressure regulator leaking as well.

This is no joke. I would replace the pump if it doesn't make 56 psi. They will not start, or start hard with 54 psi. I like to see it up near 60. I always thought the fuel pressure spec was wrong because of how they won't start.

[Leadslingingdaddy]

Did you pull a plug to see if you have spark?

[CubDieselFan]

I checked the spark at the plug, good. Checked spark at the coil, good. Plugged everything back up. Checked the fuel pressure 60 psi. Then I tried to crank it, started right up. Fuel pressure running was right on 55 psi, at idle. So either the coil wire was loose or I still have a gremlin.

Like Jon stated, they are picky about fuel pressure so I will put that on my to do list. Probably change the filter first and see what pressure I get. Then to the pump if it does not go up.

[ol'George]

When was the last time the pump was changed?
They usually die between 100--130 thousand Mi. has been my experience.
I like to change them before you have to smack the gas tank with a ball bat on a rainy day or a blizzard to get them running, ---not fun.

[sir_lancealot]

My 1998 K1500 (260,000 miles) did the same thing once I stopped driving it everyday. Which it sounds like you don't drive yours everyday either. When I drove it everyday, it would fire up immediately every time I got in it. Once I switched to driving a car for better efficiency, it would crank and crank before it would start. I think the problem lies in the Sequential Central Port Injection (SCPI) that they had on those engines. Borg Warner makes a kit to upgrade it to Multi-Port Fuel Injection (MFI) and I imagine it'll help with your issue. I never did the upgrade because I ended up getting rid of the truck. But I think those spider tubes get dry when it's been sitting and it takes extra time for the fuel to get where it needs to be. Mine always smelled like gas too, just like yours is doing. Here is a link to the MFI upgrade.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...2521&ppt=C0024

[CubDieselFan]

Originally Posted by ol'George

When was the last time the pump was changed?
They usually die between 100--130 thousand Mi. has been my experience.
I like to change them before you have to smack the gas tank with a ball bat on a rainy day or a blizzard to get them running, ---not fun.

I have owned it since 2011 and it had about 152k miles when I got it. I have never had to put one on it. It had a flat bed when I got and I put the regular bed back on. I wish I had pu a new pump in it then.

[J-Mech]

If you change the fuel filter regularly, the pump will last forever. Well over 200k. I usually change that easy to get to, cheap filter at least once a year. Used to do it every other oil change, but decided that was a little too often. Every 3rd change is about right.

[john hall]

I know this applies to a FORD and not a GM, but my old 91 f-150 truck would be hard to start sometimes. If it did it would immediately die. The temp fix is to cycle the key switch 3-4 times, as the pump cuts off after about 3 seconds of the ignition on. Don't know if yours is set up that way, but if it is you can tell quickly if this would help. Once mine cranked all was well, until it sat overnight.

[mortten]

Originally Posted by sir_lancealot

My 1998 K1500 (260,000 miles) did the same thing once I stopped driving it everyday. Which it sounds like you don't drive yours everyday either. When I drove it everyday, it would fire up immediately every time I got in it. Once I switched to driving a car for better efficiency, it would crank and crank before it would start. I think the problem lies in the Sequential Central Port Injection (SCPI) that they had on those engines. Borg Warner makes a kit to upgrade it to Multi-Port Fuel Injection (MFI) and I imagine it'll help with your issue. I never did the upgrade because I ended up getting rid of the truck. But I think those spider tubes get dry when it's been sitting and it takes extra time for the fuel to get where it needs to be. Mine always smelled like gas too, just like yours is doing. Here is a link to the MFI upgrade.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...2521&ppt=C0024

Did that to my 97 K1500. Always smelled like gas and hard starting when cold. Worked wonders. I got a Delco unit from Rock Auto.