Expert: Sean Halliday - 10/16/2009

Question
1997 gmc sierra  truck runs fine but recently if it sits for a couple days it takes a lot of cranking then it runs rough for a couple of minutes and then it smooths out  this started out of the blue the first time it sat for about 3 days that time it took about 5 minutes of cranking  no signs of external leaks

Answer
Could be a sign of the fuel pump on its way out.Change the fuel filter and have the engine tuned up,basic things such as plugs ,filters,cap,rotor.A good way to test the fuel pump is switch the key on and off 4 times,listen to the fuel pump hum for about 3 seconds , but do not crank until the 4th time that way you can build up fuel pressure using the initial start up injector.