I just had a new clutch, tranny and most of the engine replaced on my 07 v6 and now when restarting after the truck has warmed up it strains to start. its weird because when its cold out it fires right up. never seen this problem before and wondering if anyone knows what it could be before going back to the dealer. also to save space, has anyone used that nite shade paint to paint their entire headlights? kind of concerned not enough light will be able to come through the paint. wanted to paint the heads and tails completely with it.

 

I wouldn't reccomend spraying your headlights, you probably won't get enough light to go through and if you spray them and notice this problem it wont be fun taking that stuff off or having to buy new ones lol. You could always spray some eyebrows on the headlights! They look awesome with that style headlight.

 

Just had this issue at work with one of my box trucks. It's a diesel though. 4.5L V6 powerstroke. We used ether for a while 'til it got fixed.

I didn't really understand what the mechanic said, but it had something to do with a high pressure oil pump o-ring that wore out and only seals when its cold but leaks when it's warm, causeing the warmer oil to drain super fast back to the botton of the motor instead of staying up top to lube.

Engine protected itself by not starting until it had enough RPMs to force the oil up that high. Hence the ether starts working because it revs higher on starting.

 

I wouldn't spray your headlight with VHT. It will turn your headlight a darkish pink because the headlight is clear, not red like the tails. Like 08XDakota said, paint some eyebrows on your headlights. Check my sig and see how mine came out.

 

who replaced what on the engine? I would start back-tracking if you did not have this problem before "most of the engine was replaced". Could it be a timing issue?

 

You could check fuel pressure to diagnose a bad fuel pump. Check pressure at the cold start up and after it has been running.

 

when you say it "strains" to start, you mean it is hard to turn over or it just sits there and turns over and never starts?

 

the entire block was replaced as well as the heads by the dealer. it runs fine after started. it always starts, just sounds a lot weaker after the truck is already warm. i saw on another thread some people stating the exhaust heats up the starter so the starter is warm. they said try replacing it and putting a heat shield around it.

 

if that were the case it seems everyone would have the same problem. I would take it in when it's warm and let them see what it's doing. If it did not do it before then they screwed something up and should make it right.