Truck has 17k miles. Totally stock. Just over the past week or two, and ONLY when the truck has sat a while without being run. By "a while" I mean at least 8 hours.

It cranks no problem. Plenty of juice. Its done it, I think, 4 times now. The first few times, it just cranked a little longer to start than usual, so I didn't think much of it. Yesterday, after being parked for about 20 hours, it took about 10 minutes of cranking, and finally rolling it around before it actually started. I was parked on a bit of an incline so my guess was it needed to be on more level ground to start. I know that is nonsense, but I was in the middle of nowhere, ready to try anything. It started quickly after rolling it around.

Also, I *think* its only been doing it since I got my last tank of gas. I'm not 100% sure because I only fill up about every 2 weeks (36 gallon tank, fairly short commute).

So my best guess is, I got some water in the tank when I filled up last. When it sits long enough, the water settles to the bottom, so the first thing the pump picks up when I go to start it, is water, and that's what's causing the problem.

I ran the tank almost empty driving home yesterday. It didn't hesitate a whole lot this morning, though it did to it. I filled up the tank on the way to work. I'm anxious to see what it does when I leave work in ~9 hours.

Anyone else have any issue like this? Anything else I should consider?

Thanks.

 

Throw some Seafoam in the tank.

 

Why? How would seafoam solve this issue?

 

Seafoam is mostly alcohol and the alcohol with absorb the water. Another product I have used with great success is HEET. You can buy it at Walmart or any parts store for a couple bucks. It will absorb the water and it will get burned with the rest of the fuel.

 

Rather than get into a detailed explanation of what it is and how it works I would ask that you go on line and look up SEAFOAM. I use it in all my vehicles, lawnmower, weed eater, even in the Harley Transmission. HEET is also a great product, as previously mentioned. Good luck to you and be safe.

 

Ive also used Seafoam with great results..in everything from weedeater to the truck. Works as a fuel stabilizer too.

 

Thanks, guys. If this fresh tank of fuel doesn't clear it up, I'll try that.

 

You mentioned that you were parked on an incline, I've had a similar issue when parked facing downwards on an incline if I have less than 1/4 tank of gas left.

My apt complex is on a hill and some nights I park on an incline with the front of my truck facing down the hill. I'm assuming that because the fuel level in my truck is low (less than 1/4 of a tank), the remaining fuel has flowed to the front of the tank and the pump is probably located near the middle or rear of the tank. (I have the 36 gal tank, not sure if it matters).

I'll crank up the truck in the morning and it will sputter and sometimes not start. But I'll throw it in neutral, roll down the hill to level ground, then turn the key and it starts right up.

I've avoided parking on that incline when I have less than 1/4 tank of gas and have not had the issue happen again.

 

Thanks, Jake. I put a new tank in, and its still doing it, though not as bad. It hesitates and stumbles for maybe 5 seconds, then fires right up. If it keeps it up for longer than the next tank or two of fuel, its going to the dealer. If it leaves me stranded, its going to the dealer.