What happened?

Yesterday I stopped at the gas station to fill up. So once I had filled up I got in and turned the key. The first sound I heard was almost like a burst of compressed air and then the engine began turning over. Only this was the first time ever that it didn't crank. It sounded like it wanted to crank but didn't. I tried to crank it 4-5 times before it caught. I saw the tach begin dropping down to the 500 rpm mark so I gave it some gas and it shuddered a bit and then revved to match my right foot (about 1500 rmp). I let off and it dropped below 500 again so I goosed it several times up to around 2500 rpm. After that it settled at 700 and I put it in drove and went home. Once parked, it sat for about 30 minutes and it cranked right up when I put it in the carport.

I was returning from the coast and I refilled the tank with 18.5 gallons so it wasn't sucking off the bottom (or, maybe it was). My guess is that it was muck slopping around in the bottom of the tank. I guess we'll see.

Otherwise, this thing has been a pleasure to drive. It's such a smooth motor with near instant power that I can't imagine what it would feel like at this point to go back to Dodge or Chevy.

 

I would definitely have your battery load tested and inspect your battery connections.

 

Had this happen in the summer and got all worried. Then I had the truck at the shop getting the rear diff done before Christmas and it did it again. The common factor? My keys were in the ignition with the power off for an extended period of time. Something was draining the battery as long as they are in with auxiliary off. So the batteries likely in its last season. Still starting in -20 even if it takes a second or two cranking.