Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 24V ran out of fuel prime bleed procedure

[JFraley]

So like a bonehead I ran my 01 3500 out of fuel the other day, and had a hard time searching for restart procedure, so I thought I would create a thread with all the "correct keywords" in the title so the next guy that does it can find this easily . .



add any other information or corrections, as this is just from my experience.



so with "31 miles to empty" reading on the overhead display, my 01 3500 started making a groaning noise that increases with throttle position

( more throttle more "groan" ) I imagine this was the lift pump sucking air

or maybe the injection pump sucking air. This groaning only lasted about 45 seconds, then I was coastin' and the cummins was unusually quiet.



so my procedure was:

1. put at least 5 gal of fuel into the tank
   
2. unscrew the top of the filter housing most of the way to allow air to escape
   
3. turn key on and barely bump starter
   
4. listen for lift pump to operate
   
5. repeat starter bump until fuel just starts to flow out of top of filter housing
   
6. close filter housing
   
7. loosen a few injector lines (at least three)
   
8. repeat bump procedure until fuel starts to flow from around injector seat
   
9. tighten injectors back up
   
10. mop up any spilled fuel
    
11. start er up
    
12. will run rough for about 30 seconds or so
    
13. engine may stall so holding throttle just above idle (1200RPM or so) will help this
    
14. let run for at least 3-5 min to ensure air is bled out
    
15. go fill your tank
    
16. dont do this again
    
17. install fuel pressure gauge (if you dont have one)
    

worked for me . .



the very worst part of this was riding back to the house in a FORD tow truck

I had to hang my head in shame

 

[JFraley]

fuel pressure gauge

one other thing. .



I really like this gauge, because of the warning light that is programmable

I set mine to 4psi so I know whats going on, and hopefully can avoid bleed procedure if I ever do this again ( which I dont plan on doing )



Auto Meter

 

[DirtyDodge]

I have ran mine out a couple times when changing the fuel filter and not purging the air out of the system before attempting to restart.



All I had to do to restart was bump the starter just enough to start the transfer pump to prime the system and purge the air out. I run this cycle 2 or 3 times and the truck has always started right up for me without having to crack anything to bleed fuel.

 

[DHayden]

If you run it out of fuel on the road somewhere and have no tools, keep a can of WD-40 under the back seat (ether works but is VERY flammable and will give you an engine run away if you don't know what your doing). Best way is to spray some in the intake as you have someone else turn it over. WD-40 will take a bit but much safer than ether.