Silverado 5.3 fuel issue

[jhwis]

2001 Silverado with the 5.3. She stumbles a bit after start up most times, but once it recovers it runs like a top. It starts hard, but does it cold or hot so I don't suspect fuel pressure regulator. Codes say runs lean. Thought maybe intake gasket, but it sometimes doesn't stumble at all particularly when it's cold in the morning. Could be many things, filter, fuel pump, vacuum leak, etc. Anyone see these symptoms before perhaps?

 

[RobCons]

Mine has the 4.8 engine. When the intake gaskets went bad it would stumble until it warmed up. Try checking your fuel pressure. As I recall that should be 50 psi or so.

 

[JimB2]

My brother just had that problem on his 2005 with 5.3 and it was a flakey cam sensor. When cold it would run rough like lack of fuel or misfire when warmed up it would run properly and sometimes not.

 

[jhwis]

Mine has the 4.8 engine. When the intake gaskets went bad it would stumble until it warmed up. Try checking your fuel pressure. As I recall that should be 50 psi or

My brother just had that problem on his 2005 with 5.3 and it was a flakey cam sensor. When cold it would run rough like lack of fuel or misfire when warmed up it would run properly and sometimes not.

Is that a pricey fix? Never done it.

 

[JimB2]

Is that a pricey fix? Never done it.

He has a local mechanic that works on everything, cars, trucks, tractors, skidders, excavators, etc.
I think the sensor was about $120.00 CND but mechanic advised that only use OEM GM Delco so more $$ than Ebay or Amazon.
The Cam and Crank sensors work together to determine TDC of the cylinder to fire the plug on, if either is flakey then misfires, backfires, etc.

See Youtube on 6.0L but similar to 5.3:

 

[Mule Meat]

It pays to replace both the crank and cam sensors at the same time.

I have never owned a GM vehicle. But have saw Jeeps that would crank alot before starting and even saw them that would randomly shut down while driving. Codes would show a bad crank sensor. Replaced them only to have the cam sensor then throw a code. After I started changing both sensors at the same time. I have not had the problem.

 

[Fixingfarmer]

2004 6.0 it was a fuel pump in the tank. My 2005 5.3 so far so good it does take plugs every 60000. If lean codes I’d start with troubleshooting the pump like said above how much fuel pressure I believe a good scan tool will tell you the pressure. If not there’s a mechanical gauge port hookup

 

[Hobo,NC]

2001 Silverado with the 5.3. She stumbles a bit after start up most times, but once it recovers it runs like a top. It starts hard, but does it cold or hot so I don't suspect fuel pressure regulator. Codes say runs lean. Thought maybe intake gasket, but it sometimes doesn't stumble at all particularly when it's cold in the morning. Could be many things, filter, fuel pump, vacuum leak, etc. Anyone see these symptoms before perhaps?

I doubt you have the ability to diagnose your lean codes and that’s where I would start. By feel a good wrench could tell if it was a lean stumble are a hard misfire and it could be a combination of both. That’s as far as I will go on a recommendation. I would need to have all the data both cold and hot. Leaking intake gaskets show up more so cold once hot they limber up and seal better. Resolving this issue is standard protocol for a good mechanic.

I will go as far as to say if you have never put intake gaskets on it your day is coming. While there replace both knock sensors and the knock sensor harness. By all means replace the injector seals are they will bite you BTDT. There are a few more aged out bits and piece that will need replacing at that time.

Your 5.3 is primed for a bunch of maintenance it’s going to be a money maker for someone : ). Those junk plastic heater hose connectors have a 10 year life span and will leave you in the middle of nowhere. I try to use OEM hoses only and never put a aftermarket water pump on a 5.3.

24 year old 5.3 $$$$ to keep it in good health are replace it $$$$$$$$$$$ : (

 

[jhwis]

I doubt you have the ability to diagnose your lean codes and that’s where I would start. By feel a good wrench could tell if it was a lean stumble are a hard misfire and it could be a combination of both. That’s as far as I will go on a recommendation. I would need to have all the data both cold and hot. Leaking intake gaskets show up more so cold once hot they limber up and seal better. Resolving this issue is standard protocol for a good mechanic.

I will go as far as to say if you have never put intake gaskets on it your day is coming. While there replace both knock sensors and the knock sensor harness. By all means replace the injector seals are they will bite you BTDT. There are a few more aged out bits and piece that will need replacing at that time.

Your 5.3 is primed for a bunch of maintenance it’s going to be a money maker for someone : ). Those junk plastic heater hose connectors have a 10 year life span and will leave you in the middle of nowhere. I try to use OEM hoses only and never put a aftermarket water pump on a 5.3.

24 year old 5.3 $$$$ to keep it in good health are replace it $$$$$$$$$$$ : (

No doubt. Got my money's worth. Not throwing money at it.

 

[Hobo,NC]

No doubt. Got my money's worth. Not throwing money at it.

Cool… This is one thing that hits me hard it’s a conversation that needs to be carried out when you are dealing with an older vehicle. You have those shops that take on all comers and take the customers money while knowing this issue can fester. It’s like walking on broken glass : (

 

[Goose]

My 2000 Silverado with the 5.3 has done that once in a while, but not always. I've wondered about it, but never solved it.

 

[Hobo,NC]

No doubt. Got my money's worth. Not throwing money at it.

I looked a few times for a video to help ya I was shocked this guy did not see he had a fuel pressure issue. I am gonna wager it comes back : (. He zoomed thru it and missed a bunch of stuff. The bad on this even youtubers can mislead ya.