Starting Issue

For the past few months, and it's getting worse, the Trac seems to crank a lot longer when starting it than used to be normal. Battery is less than two years old, plugs and wires both replaced only 20k ago, fuel filter has about 17k on it. Truck is an '08 I got new and has 137k. Do we think the starter is getting worn out and slowing down (it doesn't sound like it) or maybe fuel pump is going bad? Runs okay otherwise, no CEL and the mpg is normal. I might try a fuel filter first and see if it helps. Anybody else ever have this?

Fuel filters are inexpensive and fairly easy to change, but you might want to verify the problem first by checking fuel pressure directly on the fuel rail. Hopefully there's a Schrader valve on the rail that you can attach a gauge to. I don't have a V6 so don't know myself.

If my memory serves me , you can cycle the key on with out starting which builds up fuel pump pressure,. You hear the pump initially each time you turn on the key , and say on the forth time you try to start. If it now starts right up that indicates its the fuel pump usually or its a good indicator.

Okay, will try that. Thanks!