My 98 B2500 sputtered at start up today. Once I kept pumping it to keep it running, it ran alright. Hours later it started but barely kept running. No CEL and I can;t see any black smoke like its getting too much gas. It did this about 2 weeks ago on start up & then ran fine. The truck has 130K on it . Any way to check if its the fuel pump? Any help appreciated.

 

change the fuel filter, the filter is $10 and then tool is about $10. then do a fuel pressure test. you can borrow a tester for free from the stores or buy an Actron from them for $40 or a cheap one from harbor freight for $20

 

A 98 truck wouldn't have a carb, so the only thing pumping the peddle would do would be adding extra air(you're opening and closing the throttle body). That makes me think that maybe your air filter is plugged.