Starter or fuel pump on its way out?

Not likely to work, but still worth a shot

 

So I just went outside and was going to have the girlfriend crank the ignition while I listened for the fuel pump and tried the ole bang-on-tank method. It fired right up this time. I’m annoyed. Obviously there is an issue, though.

 

Power window motors are known to work off and on until they give out completely. I'd bet the fuel pump is doing the same thing.

 

Intermittent issues are the worst.

Since it cranks your starter and battery are doing their jobs.

Girlfriend banging the tank while you tried to start it. Since the issue is intermittent it may have started without the tank getting hit.

Engines need fuel and spark to start and run. Your missing one or both. Testing for spark is easy so I’d do that first.

How long has it been since the maf sensor was cleaned?

Really your problem could be a number of things. If it were mine I’d bring it to my favorite shop. They have one of those snap on obd readers that costs thousands. You could try one of the less expensive ones to read if you have error codes stored. Most major auto parts stores have something that can at least bring up the codes.

 

To clarify, we never did any banging (on the tank that is). It fired up before that.

Tomorrow I’ll check for spark and clean the MAF. Have a feeling a new fuel pump is on the horizon.

 

If a new chip key is not too expensive, might be nice to have anyway. Then you could eliminate that possibility.

 

I usually dont recommend just throwing money parts and time at something without knowing exactly what will fix it.... but At 167k miles, just replace the fuel pump. Regardless if it fixes your issue it will help you down the road.

 

I probably will to be honest. Regardless of what I find the issue to be.

Not sure if it’s like this everywhere, but finding MAF sensor cleaner in my area was a PITA. Completely sold out at the first four auto parts stores I tried. When I finally found it, the cashier told me it’s like gold recently. Bizarre.

Truck fired up first try this morning. Going to proceed with MAF cleaning and I even picked up some OEM Denso spark plugs from the dealer. Going to replace the iridiums I just installed 2k ago just in case those are causing problems. Unlikely, but I should have went with the factory recommended plugs anyway.

 

Yeah it honestly sounds like its not getting fuel. It also could be your fuel pump resistor which are known to go as well. The truck will run with the maf completely unplugged so its likely not that either.

 

MAF cleaning definitely won't hurt. It's not likely your issue though as you'd have other symptoms. Plus unplugging it is a good way to troubleshoot that as the truck would resort to default fuel programming.

 

Pulled the intake off the truck to change the plugs and noticed this red fluid underneath it. Is this just that oil they saturate these K&N filters in before shipping them? Not sure what else it could be.

 

MAF is cleaned and the spark plugs are changed back to OEM recommended. When I pulled the iridiums, three of them were way too easy to crack and the other three weren't much harder. Makes me wonder whether my used and abused torque wrench is on its way out because I definitely torqued them to 15 ft lbs when I installed them several weeks ago. I used a neighbor's torque wrench to tighten the new ones.

Of course, after all of this it fired right up. It does seem to run smoother now - not sure if it's the copper plugs, proper tightness, or both. I'm not attributing the starting problems to the plugs just yet. I'll update the thread if/when she's dead again.

 

Definitely way too much oil on that filter. Will cause issues in the long term, but won't keep the truck from running. Just like bad plugs or a dirty MAF & throttle body. Might not run great, but it will run.

 

Haha yeah, I cleaned it up before I put it back on. I put the K&N in there the last time I did the spark plugs. I don't know how I didn't realize there was so much on there. I suppose I just assumed a company like K&N wouldn't sabotage me and paid no attention.

 

forget banging on the tank, just get your girlfriend and start banging on her . . .it will take ur mind of ur truck . . .

 

Hadn't thought about spark plugs being defective or old. Hopefully, that's it and you can hold off on the fuel pump for a while.

 

gummed up threads will give you impropper torque values. The last time I changed my plugs I cleaned up the threads of the old plugs with a wire brush, dipped them in seafoam(or other cleaner/solvent) and ran them in and out of the engine, cleaned them off again until they came out clean and threaded in smoothly.

Fuel pump might not be going bad, but the filter sock might be clogging.

 

Exactly why I never use thread sealant on plugs.

 

Improperly torqued plugs and old worn plugs can allow exhaust gasses to blow past the plugs and then gunk collects in the threads and makes the issue worse. Sounds like you had improperly torqued plugs this time, and who knows how many other times. Leaking valve cover gaskets are also another problem. Just something to look for.

Granted I am dealing with a 300k engine