Ok, first off, I am new here and new to Dodge trucks. I just picked up a 2001 Ram 1500 4X4 with a 5.2 V-8 and the 5 speed manual with about 180,000 miles. My dad has owned this truck since it was new, so I know the complete history of the truck. It has been well cared for with all of the proper maintenance done on a regular basis. Everything is good with one exception, sometimes it starts first crank, sometimes you have to crank it for 10-15 seconds before it will start. Once it starts it runs real smooth. A mechanic has said that it is probably the fuel pressure regulator, so I will have to drop the tank. If I do that I will probably replace the fuel pump while I am in the tank. Does this sound right or am I being led the wrong way? Is this common on these trucks? Is there something else I should be looking at? I appreciate any advice that will help me fix this problem. Thanks.

 

Sometimes mine will take a bit to start if I turn the key right to start. I've gotten in the habit to turn the key to run, wait a few seconds to build fuel pressure, then start. Fires right up then. Mine's been like that since I bought it 3 or so years ago.

Fuel pressure is probably just bleeding off, which is what mine has been doing.

 

It is common, and a sign the FP is on it's way out anyway. Like kejobe stated, pressure bleeding off. (regulator) If you can even find just the regulator , I'd replace the whole pump. Don't go cheap, get a Delphi pump from Rock Auto, and use the discount code for Rock Auto which can be found in the 2nd gen ram general discussion area.