02 5.9 Starting issue
 

First the truck does start, but it seems that since I put a new air filter in the engines has to crank longer to start. used to be less than a second and it fires, now it takes about 2. seems trivial but it is not the same as before. if I crank it and stop, then hit it again it fires right up like it used to. Almost seems as though before the fuel was right there to fire, now it has to crank a little before the fuel gets there. I wanna say a loss in pressure over night but I would think the fuel pump pressurizing would be adequate. No CEL so I can think of maybe one thing...weak fuel pump??

I would think as long as you are able to get it running and it drives fine with a heavy load or going uphill then the fuel pressure would be ok but you can always get a fuel gauge and connect it to the valve on the fuel rail and check pressure

Take the filter out and see if it makes a difference. Just make sure you don't have an accumulation of crap in the filter box.

My issue seems to be getting worse. It is taking longer to start but once started, runs fine. I was reading a post about a check valve at the tank, does anyone know if there is one? Seems that if there is that could be the problem...

Any other thoughts?

There is a check ball in the tank, but the only problem I've heard of connected to it, is the fuel belching out of the tank when filling up.

Have you tried any injector cleaner or check the throttle body to make sure it's clean? Are you sure your getting good fuel?

I am gonna try seafoam...as far as good fuel, who the hell knows what is getting put with it...

Seems like i turned the key 3 times to run the pump and it didn't crank as long...hmmm

Should I start lookin at an Ecoboost?

seems to me your pump may be getting slightly weak and not providing the instant pressure at startup for the system. I would get a guage and attach to the fuel rail and see what your pressure reading is.

Back in the "Old days" one way to check for a weak fuel pump was to park the vehicle nose down on a steep incline overnight, to keep the fuel from running back to the tank. Don't know if that will work on modern stuff.

Sounds like the check valve in the pump assembly is going south. You might try turning the key on for 5 sec, turn it off, then back on for 5 sec before cranking to see if it starts any faster.
You can also hook up a fuel pressure gauge and see how long it takes to build pressure on a cold start. It should come up real fast.