Okay all you dodge experts, here's my issue:

Randomly been having some issues with the truck (2001 5.2L) being slow to start/long crank time. Like, 5 seconds long. When it does this, it sounds like it's trying to die right away, but just keeps stumbling through until it catches and hits normal rpms. However, it doesn't have any power for the rest of my short, 3 mile drive to work. Acts weird the whole drive. Then when I'm done at work, it fires right up and drives fine.

So I do some thread lurking and decide to test fuel pressure, assuming its a fuel delivery issue. (Recent tune up w/ plugs, wires, cap and rotor, O2 sensors, etc.; plenum fixed, good spark, yada yada yada.) After letting it sit for two hours, I went out and hooked up the tester.

10 Psi.

Then I turn the key to prime the pump.

30psi.

Turn the key to start. Fires right up.

49psi, steady.

Turn the key off.

Immediate drop to 45psi, bleeds down to 35 psi in 10 minutes time (so assume loss of 1 psi per minute)

I disconnect the tester without waiting for more bleed down.

So, what am I looking at here? Time for a new Delphi pump? Or do I have a leaking injector that I need to find?

 

My money is on fuel pump, I had that same issue with my old Blazer, fuel pump was shot.

 

sounds like the check valve. Better to just replace the whole pump.

 

Easy way to test the injectors before I drop 150 on the new pump?

 

Your fuel injectors really couldn't cause such a drop In psi. Does it smell really rich? No misfire codes?

 

You can get a delphi pump for 150?? If you are looking at the airtex unit, don't even bother. Unless of course, you enjoy changing fuel pumps every six months or so.

 

Nope, Delphi for a 35gal tank at rockauto.com. $149 plus shipping.

Not rich (but crap mileage... 9-10mpg around town on a stock setup) and no codes.

 

Oi.

Finally got the replacement pump in tonight.

My word of advice to people: drop the tank.

I pulled the bed. It's an 8' bed and therefore had 8 bolts, not 6. Had to wait for a buddy to come over to help me move the bed back, which was heavier than I anticipated (after reading over and over "it's not as heavy as you think!"). I then played hell trying to get all 8 bolts to line up again, and in removing the license plate holder I had both lighting harnesses literally disintegrate in my hands.

So like I said: I will advise anyone who listens to just drop the tank instead of lifting the bed.

Tomorrow will tell if I solved my long crank rough start issues.