Hard Starting, Codes 17 and 18
 

1995 Chevy K2500 6.5l, hard starting. I have to crank a lot to get it to try to start. Will start and then dies. After repeated tries truck will run for a while and then dies again. Will do this for first 5 or 10 minutes of running and then will idle and run fine. codes 17 and 18. Also had a code 54 once.

New fuel filter and IP, new filter harness recently. New Glo plugs. LP is working. Sounds like I might be getting air in system. Will get some clear hose and check. If I am getting air, would I be looking at new injectors or where would I start to check for air. Do not see any leaks anywhere.

Do the clear hose like you said.Then you might want to check your tank sock to see of it's clogged?:c:

Did you replace the pmd?

Last year I replaced the pmd. Relocated to front bumper area. Will a bad pmd cause codes 17 and 18.

Pmds don't cause codes

They don't always cause codes,but codes 35,36 can be thrown by a bad PMD.

Codes 17,18 are Optical Sensor codes-and can be caused by a bad OS electronic noise filter,air in the fuel,a bad OS,dirty fuel-meaning a lot of tint or too dark for the OS to "see" through.

the clear hose on the IP return while the engine idles showing bubbles indicates air entry between the fuel level in the tank and the LP.

You might also need to check the filter housing or IP feed line or WIF Tee valve feed line for leaks?
The WIF sensor and fuel heater O-rings get bad and leak when the engine is shut down usually and air then gets in causing just the type hard start you are experiencing.

OK I got clear hose on and got truck started. left it set over night and I had one air bubble in clear hose. Truck seem to start better today for some reason. did not see any air while truck was running. Took it for about a 10 mile drive and it ran good, until I let off of throttle to turn into driveway and it stalled out. Checked codes and I had 17, 18, 54 agian.

Any ideas on what my problem could be. Would IP timing cause these codes. I know they are OS related. But, I have tried with and without OS Filter harness, 2 fuel filters, a new pmd and this is the 2nd IP I have gotten these codes with. My fuel looks clean, but I have not dropped the tank yet. could my fuel be getting contaminated from the tank but still look ok, I have refueled at different locations but still same thing. Not sure what else to try. I have spent hundreds at my local shops but they have not solved anything either.