2003 Duramax starting problems - HELP!

jbillow · 12-31-2008, 12:52 PM

2003 Duramax 3500 diesel - when COLD, starts fine. when warm (e.g. been driven 1/2 hour into town, etc.) and then restarted, cranks & cranks - won't turn over. Eventually will start, but I don't do anything, just keep trying. All service up to date, dealership charged ~$300 to do 'fuel system flush' and did not do a derned thing to help. Dealership has had the truck 3 times, can't find the problem. Any ideas? I have an Edge chip in it, but have had that over a year and no problem until 2 months ago.

leolkfrm · 12-31-2008, 03:37 PM

welcome to the forum
cranks and cranks.........won't turn over

i'm confused!
anyhow you may want to reflash to stock and see if it helps, you may have a problem with the chip when it goes to closed loop
Have the injectors been changed yet by GM?
Are you using an additive like stanadyne in your fuel?

stumpuller454 · 12-31-2008, 07:21 PM

Very common for leaks from the fuel filter, check if its tight, also check the sensor fitting at the bottom of the filter, it can seap (especially when warm) and drain down your fuel level in the filter, taking a few cranks to get a level again and purging out the air. do you know how to purge the air from the filter yourself? it tells you how in the deisel supplement manual. basically with a screwdriver loosen the bleed one turn and depress (pump repeatedly) the button on top of the FF housing, it will push the air out, when it starts squirting fuel close the bleed.

ANOTHER common problem is fuel lines rubbing through atop the front of the tank, allowing the fuel to leak out and air to get in causing no-starts, it doesn`t take much to air lock the system.

This is just common things i`ve seen, doesn`t mean it could not be an electrical problem....

jbillow · 01-01-2009, 05:46 PM

Thanks for the suggestion - will check. I'd THINK that the dealership would check the obvious stuff like that, and would catch it. I guess not such a good assumption. Oh well - appreciate the posts/suggestions, will see what they find. They did find a leaking line somewhere in the system, and replaced, but it did nothing to fix the problem.... so we keep trying.

jbillow · 01-01-2009, 05:50 PM

Leolkfrm - Good suggestions, will suggest they just remove the chip to get that out of the mix. No addatives at all (standard diesel from various places) and no idea if the injectors have been changed - I'm not a mechanic by any stretch, so I do what the shope tells me I need to ;-)
However, will ask....

leolkfrm · 01-01-2009, 06:38 PM

I have a friend that works at a diesel shop, they are recommending using stanadyne additive in every tank with the ULSD fuel. it adds about a $1 to the fill up but is supposed to be better for the duramax, more cetane and cleaner for the injectors. There is an extended GM warranty on the injectors

12-31-2008, 12:52 PM	#1
jbillow Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 3	2003 Duramax starting problems - HELP! 2003 Duramax 3500 diesel - when COLD, starts fine. when warm (e.g. been driven 1/2 hour into town, etc.) and then restarted, cranks & cranks - won't turn over. Eventually will start, but I don't do anything, just keep trying. All service up to date, dealership charged ~$300 to do 'fuel system flush' and did not do a derned thing to help. Dealership has had the truck 3 times, can't find the problem. Any ideas? I have an Edge chip in it, but have had that over a year and no problem until 2 months ago.

12-31-2008, 03:37 PM	#2
leolkfrm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N.Y. Posts: 4,300	welcome to the forum cranks and cranks.........won't turn over i'm confused! anyhow you may want to reflash to stock and see if it helps, you may have a problem with the chip when it goes to closed loop Have the injectors been changed yet by GM? Are you using an additive like stanadyne in your fuel? __________________ 4 wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul B.W.A.I

12-31-2008, 07:21 PM	#3
stumpuller454 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Grande Prairie, AB Posts: 2,043	Very common for leaks from the fuel filter, check if its tight, also check the sensor fitting at the bottom of the filter, it can seap (especially when warm) and drain down your fuel level in the filter, taking a few cranks to get a level again and purging out the air. do you know how to purge the air from the filter yourself? it tells you how in the deisel supplement manual. basically with a screwdriver loosen the bleed one turn and depress (pump repeatedly) the button on top of the FF housing, it will push the air out, when it starts squirting fuel close the bleed. ANOTHER common problem is fuel lines rubbing through atop the front of the tank, allowing the fuel to leak out and air to get in causing no-starts, it doesn`t take much to air lock the system. This is just common things i`ve seen, doesn`t mean it could not be an electrical problem.... __________________ SUPERCHARGED 454 K2500 GMC! 450hp and 600ft/lbs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ27RJHfJKE "sailing with Captain Morgan often!"

01-01-2009, 06:38 PM	#6
leolkfrm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N.Y. Posts: 4,300	I have a friend that works at a diesel shop, they are recommending using stanadyne additive in every tank with the ULSD fuel. it adds about a $1 to the fill up but is supposed to be better for the duramax, more cetane and cleaner for the injectors. There is an extended GM warranty on the injectors __________________ 4 wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul B.W.A.I

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01-01-2009, 05:46 PM	#4
jbillow Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 3	Thanks for the suggestion - will check. I'd THINK that the dealership would check the obvious stuff like that, and would catch it. I guess not such a good assumption. Oh well - appreciate the posts/suggestions, will see what they find. They did find a leaking line somewhere in the system, and replaced, but it did nothing to fix the problem.... so we keep trying.

01-01-2009, 05:50 PM	#5
jbillow Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 3	Leolkfrm - Good suggestions, will suggest they just remove the chip to get that out of the mix. No addatives at all (standard diesel from various places) and no idea if the injectors have been changed - I'm not a mechanic by any stretch, so I do what the shope tells me I need to ;-) However, will ask....

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