NHTSA ID Number: 10114873
Manufacturer Communication Number: PIP3504D
TSB/Document Date: 2017-08-15
Summary
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a hard start when the engine is hot. If the fuel found in the vehicle has an American Petroleum Institute specific gravity reading of 39 - 44, and the fuel sample you used for comparison has an American Petroleum Institute specific gravity reading of 30 - 39, drain the fuel system and refill with a known good diesel fuel and retest.
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TSB/Document ID: PIP3504D
Replacement Service Bulletin Number:
MFR Communication Date: 2015-10-09
MFR Internal Campaign ID/Software Version:
Communication Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
NHTSA Components: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
MFR Component System:
MFR Component Subsystem:
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Bulletin No.: PIP3504D
Date: Oct-2015
Subject:
Diesel Engine Hard Start When Hot
Models:
2001 - 2016 Chevrolet
Express, Kodiak, Silverado
2001 - 2016 GMC Savanna, Sierra, TopKick
Equipped with 6.6 Diesel Engine (RPO LB7, LBZ, LGH, LLY, LML or LMM)
This PI was superseded to update Model Years. Please discard PIP3504C.
The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.
Condition/Concern
The hard start described in this PI may occur when the customer tries to restart a warm engine.
The vehicle will usually start fine when cold.
There may be no other drivability concerns noticed or DTCs found.
Hand priming the fuel filter may help the vehicle to start.
Complete the current SI diagnostics for any trouble codes or symptoms found.
Get a large fuel sample from the fuel filter drain. If excessive contamination is found, complete current SI repairs for Contaminants in Fuel.
Check the fuel API (specific gravity) with the Kent Moore diesel fuel hydrometer (Tool number J-38641-B).
If the vehicle has number 1 diesel fuel or if the fuel is contaminated with gasoline, the fuel API reading may be 39 to 44 or higher.
Number 1 diesel fuel (39 API or higher) may induce hard start concerns during high ambient temperatures or during hot restart attempts.
Get a known good sample of fuel from a nearby fuel station to verify what a normal API reading would be in your location.
Recommendation/Instructions
If the fuel found in the vehicle has an API reading of 39 - 44, ( number 1 diesel fuel ) and the fuel sample you used for comparison has an API reading of 30 - 39
( number 2 diesel fuel ) , drain the fuel system and refill with a known good number 2 diesel fuel.
Evaluate the hard start with a known good number 2 diesel fuel.
Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the
remaining steps do not need to be performed.
GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may
occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools,
safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that
your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
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