03 cummins not starting

[CarlesHicks]

My 03 will not start. about a month ago it was starting realy hard(long crank time) then it would not start at all. I changed the fuel filter and it was instantly better. after about 2 days it started to start hard again and then would not sart at all with out either. once running it ran perfect. I changed the fuel filter again and it would start perfect. I went through this until i changed the filter four times and then I realized this was geting expesive. I thought it must be the transfer pump. I had 135,000 miles on the original filter mounted pump so I installed the Glacier diesel power pump kit and no change. It runs fine after a shot of either but will not start on it's own. If I pull the fuel filter out and reinstall it sometime it will start after the system is primed.

I took it to the dealer today and they said there was probably a bad injector but they where not sure which one and at $500 an injector I did not want them to replace all 6. and after they tested the injectors it started just fine for about half a day. I am still confused why removing the fuel filter and reinstalling it will sometimes correct the problem.

I am sorry for the long post but I need some advice on my next step I will replace some injectors if I have to but I do not want to replace all 6. I was wondering if it was the FCA . All the fittings on the rail where tested for leaks and retorqued .

I have had no trouble with this truck at all since I bought it new in 03 I really would like to get her back to her old self.

 

[MickeyMiller]

CarlesHicks,



Following this post with interest. I guess a bad injector could bleed off enough pressure that it wouldn't start, but only if it failed in an open mode. I'd think you would get a lot of smoke when you do get it started. Maybe removing the fuel filter then re-filling gives the injector enough of a jolt to allow it to function for a while.



I don't think using ether is a great idea with the grid heater... I assume it's been warm enough that the grid heater hasn't come on with ether present.



Mickey

 

[TCluff]

i had the same problem ,turned out to be the injectors

 

[CarlesHicks]

Actuelly my grid heater stopped working this spring so I am going to replace it before this winter

 

[DPKetchum]

How much crud is in the bottom of the fuel filter cannister. Another post on a hard/no start after sitting found a lot of crud in the cannister,removed it,cleaned it and no more issues.

 

[CarlesHicks]

How much crud is in the bottom of the fuel filter cannister. Another post on a hard/no start after sitting found a lot of crud in the cannister,removed it,cleaned it and no more issues.

There was quite a bit. I cleaned it out this morning and changed the fuel filter and it starts just fine now after 8 shut off's. I changed the oil and there was no diesel fuel present in the oil maybe it will keep starting, but I doubt that I am that lucky.

 

[DPKetchum]

Post what happens.

 

[MickeyMiller]

Question: Doesn't the 'crud' wash out when you drain the filter before replacing it? I've looked in the filter housing when the filter was out, didn't see much so didn't worry about it. Should I, worry that is?

 

[sag2]

You should always carefully clean the housing with each filter change. Not doing it allows the junk on the bottom to get on the clean side of the filter housing and it takes out the injectors in short order.

 

[DPKetchum]

My neighbors 05 had what looked like asphalt built up inside his at 100k or so. Stuff was hard and just didn't wipe out.

 

[jjdiesel]

You should always carefully clean the housing with each filter change. Not doing it allows the junk on the bottom to get on the clean side of the filter housing and it takes out the injectors in short order.

What's the best method to clean the bowl... not exactly easy to see inside that thing. Any tips would be great!

 

[ADanka513]

Had same [problem on 03 6spd 3500, 50k , long cranks no strart U name it, once runnin it was fine. Dodge found 3 of six injectors with leakdown problems, replaced all six, starts and runs fine, thank U mr warranty and honest dealer!!

 

[CarlesHicks]

My warranty has expired so I am hoping injectors do not need to be replaced but my fear is that they will. it has been starting fine for two days now and there is no fuel in my oil so I guess I will see.

 

[KDOHM]

Mine did same thing about same time as ADanka's - Turned out to be 2 injectors leaking down, $1200 later (120K so no warranty) starts better than it has for a year!

 

[CarlesHicks]

mine stopped starting today I guess I need ne injectors. where is hte best place to purchase reasonable price injectors for an 03.

 

[DE Jeeper]

It seems like more and more of us "03 guys are having problems with our injectors. I am pulling mine out this weekend and getting them rebuilt as f1, flux 2 injectors. I tried to get some Industrial Injection ones, but they have no cores. I can't really efford to have the truck down for 3-4 days, but it is better then getting stranded.



Aaron

 

[DDemere]

I have an '03 with same problem. Here is the link to the new thread I started: https://www.turbodieselregister.com...s-2003-2007/188319-03-not-starting-again.html

 

[ssanders60]

Slow engine start

My '03 H/O at times cranks a lot before it starts up. I get so

ticked when the Fed Ex lady starts her truck, she bumps the starter

and it fires up. I have noticed at times, a few dregs, very small in

the bottom of the cannister when changing the filter, but not since

I change at 10,000 mile intervals, although I never exceeded 12 or 13

thousand miles. I always clean the bottom of the cannister.

This is not a lot of fuel thru the system since it doesn't

pull anything, and the slow starting is always when it sets for a few minutes

and is restarted when the engine is at operating temperature.

The engine consistantly fires up quickly enough when started cold.

The truck has 70,000 miles on it. I wonder if I should mention this

to the dealer at my next service interval.

 

[DDemere]

I really wish somebody would do something about this problem. Obviously there is an inherent problem with these injectors and Dodge/Chrysler and their dealers have refused to step up and admit their mistake. But until then I'm ordering some injectors and changing them myself.

 

[CarlesHicks]

I have to believe that it has something to do with the new low sulpher diesel. This is happening in epidemic proportions regardless of how many miles are on the trucks.