'99 4.3 V6 questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**53burb** · 11-28-2010, 11:24 PM

I have a '99 Chevy (NBS) 1/2 ton Silverado 4x4 with the 4.3 engine & manual tranny. The truck has 130000 miles.
Recently, as of about a month or so ago, the truck stopped starting with just a turn of the key. It turns over a few times before it starts. It only does this when it is cold.
Yesterday, I changed the spark plugs, wires, air filter, PCV valve, cleaned the MAF sensor, new cap & rotor, & changed the fuel filter.
It is still the same.
My next guess is possibly dirty injectors or a weak fuel pump, or maybe weak starter. The fuel pump was replaced with a Delphi unit at approx. 105-110000 miles. It's noisy, but it has been this way for awhile. It also had the "check engine" light on. I disconnected the battery while I was changing everything, so that "check engine" light is now gone, but I'm sure it will reappear. I had it checked before & IIRC, it said one of the banks was the culprit.
So my questions are: what is a good brand of fuel injector cleaner & can the timing be set on this engine, or does the distributor only have to be installed correctly & the computer controls the timing?
I don't have a gauge to test the fuel pressure.
Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
Chris

scotts62 · 12-01-2010, 09:00 AM

So it cranks a few times over before it starts but does in fact start and run? Sounds like fuel pressure to me, try (before you start for the first time) to turn the key a couple times to the accessory and let the fuel pump prime good and see if that makes any difference.

**truckdude239** · 12-01-2010, 09:04 AM

my friends 03 zr-2 s-10 with 4.3 does the same thing what we do is turn teh key to the run postion wait for the pump to kick off and the keey off then back on wait for pump to kick off and then start the trucks in his case the fuel pump is going out and letting the fuel running back to the tank

**53burb** · 12-01-2010, 10:08 AM

I did this test this morning. It started right up. Tomorrow morning, I'm going to just turn the key & see if it turns over a few times before it kicks on.

scotts62 · 12-01-2010, 10:48 AM

Check the fuel filter sometimes if it is changed and not installed right it could bleed off it's prime but then it could drip gas a bit..
Have seen the rubber lines in the tank on the fuel pump go bad and get a hole in it and cause it to do what yours is doing also, just a few things to check.
Posted via Mobile Device

**53burb** · 12-02-2010, 10:10 AM

This morning the truck started normally....I guess I'll try again later today or tomorrow morning again. Any chance this is related to the fuel pressure regulator?
I changed the fuel filter a few days ago & verified it doesn't leak, but it was having the starting problem before the replacement.

**53burb** · 12-03-2010, 09:58 AM

Just turned the key like normal, it started instantly. I know fuel pumps, being electric, can be intermittent, but I think I am going to replace the fuel pressure regulator.

11-28-2010, 11:24 PM	#1
53burb Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Queen Creek, AZ Posts: 1,004	'99 4.3 V6 questions I have a '99 Chevy (NBS) 1/2 ton Silverado 4x4 with the 4.3 engine & manual tranny. The truck has 130000 miles. Recently, as of about a month or so ago, the truck stopped starting with just a turn of the key. It turns over a few times before it starts. It only does this when it is cold. Yesterday, I changed the spark plugs, wires, air filter, PCV valve, cleaned the MAF sensor, new cap & rotor, & changed the fuel filter. It is still the same. My next guess is possibly dirty injectors or a weak fuel pump, or maybe weak starter. The fuel pump was replaced with a Delphi unit at approx. 105-110000 miles. It's noisy, but it has been this way for awhile. It also had the "check engine" light on. I disconnected the battery while I was changing everything, so that "check engine" light is now gone, but I'm sure it will reappear. I had it checked before & IIRC, it said one of the banks was the culprit. So my questions are: what is a good brand of fuel injector cleaner & can the timing be set on this engine, or does the distributor only have to be installed correctly & the computer controls the timing? I don't have a gauge to test the fuel pressure. Any other suggestions? Thanks, Chris

12-01-2010, 09:00 AM	#2
scotts62 One day... Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tuttle, Ok Posts: 9,240	Re: '99 4.3 V6 questions So it cranks a few times over before it starts but does in fact start and run? Sounds like fuel pressure to me, try (before you start for the first time) to turn the key a couple times to the accessory and let the fuel pump prime good and see if that makes any difference. __________________ Scott 93 crew cab build Project 62

12-01-2010, 09:04 AM	#3
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,219	Re: '99 4.3 V6 questions my friends 03 zr-2 s-10 with 4.3 does the same thing what we do is turn teh key to the run postion wait for the pump to kick off and the keey off then back on wait for pump to kick off and then start the trucks in his case the fuel pump is going out and letting the fuel running back to the tank __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

12-01-2010, 10:08 AM	#4
53burb Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Queen Creek, AZ Posts: 1,004	Re: '99 4.3 V6 questions I did this test this morning. It started right up. Tomorrow morning, I'm going to just turn the key & see if it turns over a few times before it kicks on.

12-01-2010, 10:48 AM	#5
scotts62 One day... Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tuttle, Ok Posts: 9,240	Re: '99 4.3 V6 questions Check the fuel filter sometimes if it is changed and not installed right it could bleed off it's prime but then it could drip gas a bit.. Have seen the rubber lines in the tank on the fuel pump go bad and get a hole in it and cause it to do what yours is doing also, just a few things to check. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Scott 93 crew cab build Project 62

12-02-2010, 10:10 AM	#6
53burb Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Queen Creek, AZ Posts: 1,004	Re: '99 4.3 V6 questions This morning the truck started normally....I guess I'll try again later today or tomorrow morning again. Any chance this is related to the fuel pressure regulator? I changed the fuel filter a few days ago & verified it doesn't leak, but it was having the starting problem before the replacement.

12-03-2010, 09:58 AM	#7
53burb Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Queen Creek, AZ Posts: 1,004	Re: '99 4.3 V6 questions Just turned the key like normal, it started instantly. I know fuel pumps, being electric, can be intermittent, but I think I am going to replace the fuel pressure regulator.



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