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Cold starting problem

Tiny
ALLENHOWELL
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 145,000 MILES
When the engine is cold or it is cold and damp outside the engine turns over but is not starting. It seems to be fuel related as when it does this if I go up and spray some starting fluid on the air filter surface then try to start it fires right up. Once it is running it runs great. This problem showed up when it started getting cooler during the night this year. If the engine is warm it starts no problem.
Thanks for any help you can give!

Allen
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Monday, November 23rd, 2009 AT 9:57 AM

16 Replies

Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Welcome to the forum, If you have the spider fuel system, it is noted for cold start issues. I'd use a gage and check fuel pressure, cold engine. I don't know if injector cleaner in the tank, will help? The cleaning procedures in service bulletins are shop procedures.
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Friday, October 4th, 2019 AT 3:43 PM
Tiny
ALLENHOWELL
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  • 7 POSTS
Hey thanks,
It is the throttle body system on 5.7. I have already run some good injecter cleaner through. It didn't seem to effect the problem.

Thanks,
Allen
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Friday, October 4th, 2019 AT 3:43 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Hi, is that the original fuel system. My partsbook shows the spider fuel system for the 5.7 not TBI. Yeah, they all have throttle-bodies, The spider system has a tube that carries fuel from injector to each cylinder. There is a poppet on the end of each tube, that gets stuck open or closed, sometimes. It may take a shop procedure to clean it, if that is the problem?
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Friday, October 4th, 2019 AT 3:43 PM
Tiny
ALLENHOWELL
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Hey, Thanks so far!
Mine is a vortec. I dont see any tubes go ing to the cylenders. Only 2 tubes landing to the left of the Throtle body. Like I said it runs very good once started. Can auto zone check the fuel pressure up there?

Thanks again,
Allen
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Friday, October 4th, 2019 AT 3:43 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
I don't think they will test it for you? You can ask. They used to loan out fuel pressure gages, don't know if they still do? You might have to put up a deposit, you get the money back when you return the gage.
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Friday, October 4th, 2019 AT 3:43 PM
Tiny
ALLENHOWELL
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Hey,
Thanks for the help thus far. I gto a fuel pressure gage at auto zone. I replced the filter and checked and had around 55 PSI of fuel pressure. What is the spec for this?

Thanks,
Allen
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Friday, October 4th, 2019 AT 3:43 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
My info shows 60--66 psi, key on engine off, with spider fuel system, fuel pressure is critical.
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Friday, October 4th, 2019 AT 3:43 PM
Tiny
ALLENHOWELL
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/438838_DSC01127_1.jpg



Is this the "Spider" system?

Thanks again!
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Friday, October 4th, 2019 AT 3:43 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Nice picture, I can't tell by the picture, my info says you have the spider system. I looked up fuel injector/s in two different parts books, they showed spider fuel system. Those systems also have trouble with the fuel poppets sticking.
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Friday, October 4th, 2019 AT 3:43 PM
Tiny
ALLENHOWELL
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  • 7 POSTS
Should I send a better picture?
What is required to check/ fix a fuel poppet sticking problem?
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Friday, October 4th, 2019 AT 3:43 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
The picture was fine, I think the pressure is too low, just my opinion. The cleaning procedure in service bulletins, is a shop procedure.
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Friday, October 4th, 2019 AT 3:43 PM
Tiny
ALLENHOWELL
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  • 7 POSTS
Okay,
Thanks for the help!

Allen
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Friday, October 4th, 2019 AT 3:43 PM
Tiny
SKIMMERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
HI Allen
I have same issue. Spider is actually under the manifold. What I have researched thus far does not suggest a spider issue. I have also good pressure. Pressure regulator is also under manifold attached to spider) Check cold temp sensor(just right and below thermostat housing) Mine was defective. Replaced. Trk started for two days(out side temp 34) now outside temp is 15, truck will not start. Seems we both have same issue. I am at a loss as well. If I learn of answer, will contact you again.
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Friday, October 4th, 2019 AT 3:43 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,959 POSTS
Hey guys,

This sounds like a classic fuel pump problem which is an issue with these cars, here is a guide that will show you what you are in for when changing the pump which you can get from Amazon.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-electric-fuel-pump

Please let us know what happens so it will help others

Best, Ken
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Friday, October 4th, 2019 AT 3:43 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL WAYNE COX
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
This issue sounds alot like a problem I narrowed down to a passlock issue

If the ignition switch has a fault (which is common for GM and Chevy same parts) it will tell bcm in turn will tell pcm that key is wrong ad kill power to your injectors. If starting is intermittent u need to reasearch bypass and rest for passlock trust me I changed alot of parts before I finally tacked it down pay for a diagnostic u cannot see passlock codes without a tech 2 scanner(tBlet ones that they use at dealership and high end mechanics have)

May have finally fixed my issue but if the bypass fails will have no couch but to repair the passlock sensor and keep a spare for the next fail.

If u reasearch bypass for passlock read about keyless ignition bypass will help the issue.
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Friday, October 4th, 2019 AT 3:43 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,959 POSTS
Excellent addition to this thread! Please feel free to help out whenever you are on the site :)
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+1
Friday, October 4th, 2019 AT 3:43 PM

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