Chevrolet Repair: 98 tahoe wont start, battery load tester, fuel pressure regulator

Question
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Followup To
Question -
Hi guys,
I have a 98 chevy tahoe 4x4 with 100,000 miles on it. When I try to start it the engine will crank and crank but won't start. I can hear the fuel pump prime when I turn the key and after cranking I can slightly smell gasoline by the intake. The plugs looked normal when I pulled them. The plug wires are also getting a spark while cranking. I poured some gas in the throttle body but it still didn't start, just cranked the same. The battery is a few months old but tested good and the alternator, rotor, wires, and plugs are all about a year and a half old. The alternator tested good as well. It wouldn't start the other morning in the same way and the starter made a few grinding sounds but eventually started very hard and slowly. I drove it a couple hundred miles immediately after that and it ran fine the next couple of days but now nothing. The starter doesn't make any grinding sounds now when it cranks. I'm stumped and any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Answer -
Hi Tony,
Sounds from what you say that your starter may be turning it rather slowly, and might need testing, but even turning slowly should start it unless it is out of time.
I'd be tempted to remove the starter if I didn't have access to a current draw tester, and get it tested.

Van


Van,
 Do you think that it could be the fuel pressure regulator leaking because the gaskets are out and flooding the motor out. I think that some people can drive theirs with this problem because by morning the fuel has evaporated out and the motor will start. It has been pretty cool here so maybe the fuel doesn't evaporate enough. From what I understand this is somewhat common on these models and it seems likely to me. The starter cranks over normal. It doesn't sound slow. How would I test the starter with a draw tester. Thanks.
Tony

Answer
Hi Tony,
A draw tester is the same as a battery load tester, where you clamp an inductive pickup over a cable, and it measures the current flow through the cable. Many parts houses will walk outside and do it for you. Real easy.

But your leaking gaskets could sure be your problem.
Aside from leaking gas, they don't allow the injectors to work either.
I don't know about by morning, cause it will leak all the time.
I'd sure recommend fixing that.

Van