Problem is whenever I go to use the truck, (about 1 time a week) it takes about 2 minutes of cranking and feathering the gas pedal to get the truck to start. The truck is a 97 1500. 5.2l. When the truck does finally start, it idles perfectly fine but if I press the throttle any more than 1/3 it falls flat on its face and dies out. Then it's hard starting again. Once the truck is warmed up some there's no problems at all. Even starts back up fine. This morning when I finally got it started, I popped the hood and I could smell gas.

I don't think it's temp. Related because its happened 2 weeks in a row now, last weekend was warmer, mid 80s, and today was cooler, low 60s. Also about a month ago I was driving and had overheating issues due to the thermostat stuck closed. Replaced the thermostat, and the truck ran fine again.

I'd like to put a fuel pressure guage on but there's no port on the fuel rail.

Help please!

 

There is a port on the driver side fuel rail on top by the intake ! It sounds like the fuel pump is leaking down when it sits over time ! The gauge will tell the truth !

 

The 97 has the plastic fuel rail, with no pressure port. Have to pick up some pieces to make an adapter to attach the gauge to.

 

I will do that, I still have the starting issue if I cycle the key on a few times.

 

When was the last time you did a tune up? Hard starting can be caused by worn out ignition parts.

 

Cycling the key does squat if the regulator is that bad, fuel pump time.

 

Plugs, wires, cap and rotor replaced less than 15,000 ago. Is the regulator part of the pump assembly? Positive it's the pump and not the iac or other small valve?

 

Yes the regulator is part of the fuel pump so you have to drop your tank or pull the bed to get at the whole assembly. With 2 friends you can pull the bed.

 

Alright, so were positive its a fuel pump? How many bolts are there holding the box on?

 

Six. (or eight...)

Better to drop the tank though.