Duramax start problems

macifre · June 23, 2004

Hi! I´m new in the forum. Please help me out with a problem I´ve had with starting the duramax engine. In the morning I have no problem at all, but there after it takes 3 or 4 times and I have to crank it for several seconds until it does start. Sometiemes it will dry up the batteries and until I let the engine "breathe" gasoline through the air intake, only then it starts. I have this problem with 2 identical trucks bought brand new in TX and then driven to Guatemala Central America. Since the local dealer does not sell the diesel engines or the silverado, they don´t have technical back up. I am getting tired of the problems and have writen to GM service/repair in several ocasions but haven´t gotten any kind of response.

My last attempt would be to drive all the way back through Mexico and have the both trucks checked at the first dealer I pass by in TX. Or, ship them to Miami, FL to have them checked..... IMAGINE THE COST OF DOING THIS!!! It sounds kind of dessperate doesn´t it????? Well.... I AM....

So, please, if you have had anything like this or heard about it, please help...

I do not think the fuel has anything to do about it, because friends have bought the DODGE diesel and had no problems yet, also because it has factory backup (at least for the engine) while GM doesn´t. The local GM dealer sells Mexican/Brazilian made vehicles except for the 5.3 Avalanche (imagine that the trucks they sell still have the in-line 6 4.1lt engine found in chevy impalas form back in the 60´s)

Also, we drive them in warm weather... all year round 80-85 F... so, I do not suspect this. The trucks have about 35,000 mi on them, only minor services performed at the local dealer... filters, fluids, brakes... one of them had the injection module changed, for $800, we had to wait 2 months, and it did not solve any problems....

Ok, maybe I´m sitting on an easy one... but please let me know!! Don´t let a fellow GM enthusiast be forced to buy from Dodge!

Thanks,

Manuel Cifre

Guatemala, Central America

2000 Z71 LT Ex-cab

2003 2500HD LS Duramax/Allison Ex-cab (2) Both with the same annoying problem