Archived 1998 12v Fuel System - Again?

[K5IP]

If starting fluid does not help it start, you might consider checking the timing. Although it does not seem to fit your situation, I once saw a 12V that had the timing gear come loose.
(that was after having been incorrectly torqued after a timing change)
Rog

 

[BlameCandida]

Just tried the starter fluid. No luck. I disconnect the grid heater, sprayed a tiny amount in the air filter and closed it up. Didn't fire. Then I sprayed for a second or two, and tried again. Still no luck. I've never used starter fluid before, so I might not being doing this right!

Is it also possible that air flow is blocked somewhere between the air filter and the manifold? Not sure how that would happen, but I'm just trying to figure out ideas here.

 

[mwilson]

I got a can of fresh diesel and connected a 1/2-in ID fuel hose to the lift pump, and put fresh fuel into the fuel filter canister. I cracked the supply banjo bolt to the IP, and am able to get the new diesel spraying out when I prime with the lift pump. However, with the solenoid on "run", I can't get fuel to come out of the injectors when I crack them (after closing the banjo bolt). I am thinking maybe the fuel filter is restricting the flow (I should have changed it when I had it off), but is there something else that could be going on?

How are you connecting to the lift pump with your temporary line?? Can you post a picture?? I want to make sure that you have bypassed the fuel strainer / heater POS.

Sometimes even starting fluid will not run an engine on it's own without a little fuel present. I have seen that before. Our techs do not use starting fluid when dealing with a dry engine.
You may also have this thing airbound. That can happen too. Again have seen that in rare cases with various brands of Diesels.

 

[mwilson]

Don't put any more starting fluid in it for right now. You can lock the engine if you use too much and it doesn't fire. A temporay condition but it will get your attention....

 

[mwilson]

If you wind up trying the starting fluid again tomorrow I will suggest a different approach. Waiting to see how you have the fuel line connected.

 

[BlameCandida]

I just left the truck, but I did bypass the fuel pre-filter (the heater is deleted). I took off the 90deg hose between the prefilter and LP, attached a short section of 1/2" ID hose and then about 4 feet of clear 3/8" ID tubing into a can of diesel. I'm getting fuel to the injectors as of yesterday, but I don't know if it's the new fuel yet, or whatever was sitting in the IP.

Dumb question maybe, but what happens to all the fuel that's been injected over the past couple weeks of me trying to start the engine? Does it dissipate or something?

 

[mwilson]

Yes, it will dry up.

Some engines will run on straight starting fluid and some won't.

 

[mwilson]

OK, so you have hooked to the nipple on the lift pump that the 90 degree hose was on, right?? Just want to make sure as this is hard over the internet.

Wish I was there holding a beer rooting for you and passing out bad advice....

 

[BlameCandida]

Yep, hooked up to the 1/2" nipple at the base of the LP that used to come from the pre-filter.

 

[mwilson]

Ok, if you have verified that the shutoff lever is in the correct position and if the fuel has quit running back into the can (no suction leaks) then I would take the intercooler hose off from the intake manifold and apply the starting fluid directly into the intake. Make sure that you have the grid heaters unhooked and that you don't use very much. That is the most direct route. A helper in the truck would be a huge asset to the team.
Not being experienced in the ways of starting fluid you may not have used enough as it would have to penetrate the air filter and travel all the way through the plumbing.

 

[mwilson]

Again, just a little bit. Just enough to see if it will light off. If it does light then just add a touch more, just enough to keep it running at an idle to see if it will purge the air and straighten out. That's why I want you to have someone in the truck so you can stay put.

 

[BlameCandida]

Well it worked! Sort of. I sprayed the starting fluid directly into the intake manifold and after a half-dozen tries, it started running off the diesel can.

Fuel was gushing out of the pre-filter too. I assume the fuel from the return line was going to the full tank, pushing fuel through the supply line and out the pre-filter.

Getting that 90 degree hose back onto the LP is another story. I need to find my vice-grips, because those hose clamps are something else. I managed to get the 90deg hose on (without clamps) and tried to start it running off the fuel in the tank. Of course I had drained the batteries by then, so no luck.

I'll be putting them on the charger and hopefully give it another go tomorrow or day after.

 

[BlameCandida]

I worked on it again today with some fresh diesel. I put some water-remover in last night, and let it set overnight. I had the 3/8 in clear tubing running from the diesel can up to the lift pump, and then stuck some more 3/8 in tubing in the 90deg hose on the pre-filter and let it drain into the same diesel can. I started the truck up (or starting fluid) and it ran for about 10 minutes until I killed it, with fuel being pushed from the supply line into the diesel can, mixing the year-old fuel with the new fuel.

I then ran the 3/8 in tubing from the pre-filter to the lift pump (I wasn't going to try fighting with that 90deg hose again). I manually primed, and then started on starting fluid. Again, it was running fine, on year-old fuel. I hope this means the water-remover worked. I put the intercooler hose back on the intake manifold, and again let it run for about 10 minutes until I killed it.

I decided to see if I could start it a third time, this time without starting fluid. No luck. The engine would spin, but not even act like it wanted to fire. I don't know if the battery was just weak from earlier, or if something else is going on. Also, I noticed that the vacuum line that goes to the power steering pump has pretty much disintegrated. Autozone just tried to give me a rubber hose. Is there a local source for vacuum lines, or is this something I need a Dodge or Cummins number for?