I put a video up of what the truck is doing on page 2.
Im jobless and cant afford to take this to the garage. Can anyone help me Please???

I have a 2001 blazer. Excellent shape and well maintained.
I just replaced the fuel filter and fuel pump last year.
This year Im starting to have a hard time getting it to start.
I can sit there turning the key and the motor will just crank and crank. It coughs a bit and sooner or later it starts up.
You can also smell a strong odor of raw gas.
I took it to the garage and they said without a code its a process of elimination which would cost from $50 to $500 dollars to find out whats going on.
But they did clean out the throttle body and recommended I pour Lucas tune up in a bottle in the tank and run it and see what happens.
But after I did that the problem still presists.
They mentioned to replace the coolant temp sensor first. I also heard to replace the fuel pressure regulator as well.
Its hard to start from a cold start. And it only happens now and then. Last time it happened was last monday around 8:15 pm. It was kinda humid out. Now yesterday and today again. We are having hot days here in PA and its kinda humid.
The truck is garage kept as well.
Every time I have the problem getting it to start I tried pumping the gas pedal, holding it to the floor. I also tried turning it over till the motor starts which the motor stops now and then adn you can see the headlights dim. I also tried the process of letting it crank a few times and turning the key off then retrying it. Nothing helps.
Yesterday when the problem started again I noticed a bolt laying on the floor. I found its from the flanged mounts where the muffler connects to the pipe that leads to the manifolds. I also noticed another oxygen sensor before the bolt on section. The gasket is deterorated so I know that needs to be replaced. The muffler is in question. It looks like its in good condtion with a bit of wear to it. But its not rusted. The tail pipe is still silver looking. No rust to it. But I did noticed alot of condensation coming out of the rear of the muffler and where the muffler gasket is leaking.
For a few weeks since this problem started I noticed water with black deposits on the floor from the front and rear of the muffler.
Can anyone help shed some light to what may be the problem?
Can it be a temp sensor(or any other sensor) or does it sound like the spider injectors?

 

The most obvious thing is to verify correct fuel pressure with a pressure gauge and this thread. After that, get back to this thread and let us know what you found and if necessary, we'll go from there.

 

Thanks for the start.
What is normal fuel pressure during key on and cranking?
What is normal pressure reading at idle?

 

Did you click and read the link in my post above?

 

Yes I sure did.I saw a low pressure(52psi) reading and a high(66 psi) pressure reading but I dont recall seeing a normal reading? 55 psi normal?
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EEk! Sorry I just re-read the very beginning. "2. When the ignition is ON and the fuel pump is running, the fuel pressure indicated by the fuel pressure gauge should read 414-455 kPa (60-66 psi )"

Some how the last two parts stuck in my head more so then the first part. Sorry.
Going out to get a Fuel pressure tester today.

 

Well I got a fuel pressure tester from advanced auto for around $40 + tax.

I havent used the truck since I last posted. So I knew it was going to be hard to start it. I tried it before I did any testing and sure enough it would not start. It actually seems to be getting worse as I have noticed the motor is coming to a halt while cranking it. The lights dim a bit then become bright again. I tried cranking again and got some coughing and spitting even after I turned the key back to the off position.

Ok after this I connected the Fuel Pressure tester to the schrader valve. I turned the ignition key to on(engine not running,as it couldnt start in the first place).
I got a reading of 64 lbs. on the fuel pressure tester gauage within the 2 seconds the fuel pump ran. After the pump shut off it quickly dropped to 62 lbs.

I left the key on without the engine running for 5 mins. I checked the gauge and watched it drop to 50lbs. in that time period.

Please keep in mind the fuel pump was replaced last year. I got a life-time warranty one.

I am also waiting for the arrival of a new muffler for the truck. That should be here tomorrow.

Where do we go from here?
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Ok I just spent the last 15 minutes trying to get the truck started without any success. I think the battery needs a break. Luckily its brand new and only a few months old.

I think the sudden stops in the motor while cranking it maybe the starter heating up..........
Is that possible still on new vehicles? I would imagine so being its electrical and heat does occur with power sources. Sorry its been some time since I wrenched on a vehicle and with everything changing Im lost. Am I answering my own question here?

I have tried cycle cranking it for these 15 minutes with pumping the gas pedal, holding the gas pedal to the floor,and not touching the gas pedal at all and all I get out of it is a couple hacks, and coughs from it. There is a strong smell of raw gas as well.

It just wont start any longer. So it doesnt look like Ill be able to get a reading on the fuel pressure at idle.......

I do have the muffler removed as Im in the process of replacing it. Would that effect the starting process as I see there is a oxygen sensor right before the muffler and was wondering if the system was cranked open would the o2 sensor prevent the computer from starting the truck?

Please help.

 

My suspicion is a leaking fuel pressure regulator (FPR).

 

Ok thanks.
I will replace that then and start from there.
If its not that then could it be the spider assembly?
Any helpful tips or a tutorial on tearing this apart?
And once I rip it down is there anyway I can tell which it could be, the spider or the FPR?

 

Yes, it could be the spider. You can pull the upper intake manifold and look at the assembly (if you can get the engine to pump gas) to see if it is visibly leaking. If you can get the pump to power long enough, following the steps in the link I originally supplied will help trace down the source of the problem.

 

Much thanks I'll follow those instructions from the link.

Thanks again....