2001 Chevy S-10 Starts hard

BANSBACH

MEMBER
2001 CHEVROLET S-10
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
109,000 MILES

A couple months ago my truck had to get fixed because it had a blown gasket and a pinhole leak in the coolant manifold where the thermostat goes. I got it fixed, but while they were fixing it they flooded it horribly and they had to wait until the next day for it to dry out. When I got her back she would start horribly every time I turned her on, I had to pump the gas pedal and key the key turned until she started. I changed the oil and blew out the air filter yesterday, and now she starts better but not like she used to before I took her to Firestone. Could the problem be that I need new spark plugs or something along those lines because they flooded it so bad? Or am I just way off? I could really use your help, this is the only vehical I have and I don't want her to leave me stranded somewhere.

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,874 POSTS

It could be a few things. Yes, plugs may help if they fouled them. Also, have you tested fuel pump pressure to make sure it is where it needs to be? Any check engine lights coming on?

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Friday, August 20th, 2010 AT 9:28 PM

BANSBACH

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Well ok this is what I did right, my dad and I went to do a tune up with plugs, fuel filter and the distributor cap and button thing that goes inside the distributor cap. When we took off the old dist. Cap we found that Firestone had broken the distributor and that the cap was held on with electrical tape. So in total we replaced the entire distributor and cap, the spark plugs and fuel filter. It still starts hard but not as bad as before. I found that if I turned the key to prime the engine once, turn the key off and then start the engine it starts fine.
I don't know how to test the fuel pressure. And it was throwing a few codes, I don't remember them all, there were 4. But one was a misfire and 2 of them were high coolant temp or something. But after we replaced the distributor and everything the light went out but like I said it still starts hard.