Archived '96 12 valve won't start-think it is fuel problem

[Reddog1]

'96 12V, 190000 miles, auto transmission. Started to idle a little rough (no exceptional smoke) on occasion for the past month.



Last Monday, after a 150-mile trip on the freeway, and about 4 miles in town, in the process of parking, it started to run real rough (no smoke) and died. It usually starts on the first 1 or 2 RPMs. It required several RPMs to start, ran real rough (no smoke) and slow to build up RPM. It eventually smoothed out and ran like it has for the past 100,000 miles.



Ran great for five days (about 500 miles).



I started it today, after about five minutes it started running rough then died. It would not start.



I had a fuel filter on hand, so I changed it. I filled the new filter with fuel. The screen was changed about 50000 miles ago. I had to bleed the injectors before it would start. After it started, it ran great. I went for a mile test run. As I was turning around, it started to run rough. I built up the RPM, and it smoothed out.



When I got home I let it idle. In less than five minutes, it started running rough and died, no smoke. It will not start. Loosen the nuts on the injectors, crank engine, and no fuel.



Any suggestions?



I do not have gauges to put on fuel system to check pressures.



I have 370 injectors, #10 fuel plate, 3K gov springs, marine head gasket, DTT trans and 16 degree timing. I do my own work.



I need the truck for work Sunday.





Wayne

 

[RM]

ive heard of this several times. you could do a search on hear and problem come up with 3 or 4 complaints just like youres. what it usaually comes down to is a very small pin hole, leak or some way for air to get into the primary side of youre fuel system. ive even heard of holes in the fuel line and it never leaks out. if you can pressurize the fuel tank thru the vent and check for leaks. or just very carefully check the full length of your system. it could be very small. also ive heard of problems with the return especially at the rubber hose at back of the head. or if you want to check that it could be a air leak in to the fuel. let the transfer pump pull out of a can remeber it could be leaking into the engine at tranfer pump or front of the p7100 but not as likely. hope this helps.

 

[Reddog1]

Thanks for the suggestions.



I replaced the hoses last summer, with the exception of the hose between the fuel heater and lift pump.





Wayne

 

[REFLOYD]

could be the fuel heater letting air in or the rubber lines.

 

[Reddog1]

Thanks REFLOYD. Do you know off hand what size hose is between the fuel heater and lift pump?





Wayne

 

[REFLOYD]

sorry but i have no clue

 

[Joe G.]

wayne,



I replied to your post on the other forum. If you didn't use diesel rated hose then you may have bad hoses again. When the guys in the parts store tell you that any fuel hose will work they are wrong. I had replaced the originals with fuel hose from NAPA. That hose failed sooner than the original hoses did. The best thing to get is the hose replacement kit from LarryB. at http://www.fostertruck.com/dodge/default.htm . I've has those hoses on mine for quite a while. No problem.



Best to find out what is wrong before throwing parts at it. Read my response on the other forum.

 

[Reddog1]

I will check the other forum. Thanks Joe.





Wayne

 

[Reddog1]

JoeG must be related to McGOO, for he has done it again.



Oo.



My problem has been identified and temporarily corrected. I say temporarily corrected because I need to buy a fuel hose of much higher quality. The hose I put on is the same low quality of what I took off. :{



Finally started, test run and it runs like a Cummins. Ran it for about an hour.



Conclusion: Hose (3/8 ID by about 10-inches long) between fuel heater/pre-filter assembly and steel line (to fuel tank).



Obvious (after removal) outside cracks. Sprayed with soap, plugged one end, blew in the other, bubbles all over. I replaced the hose three years ago with parts house hose.



I will know in the future not to change the filter as part of the trouble shooting process. This required more effort in trouble shooting and priming the injectors.



The fuel heater gasket was on its last leg, so it was not a waste of time to take it out and leave it out. I might put it back (w/new gasket) in the future.



I will follow up by installing a fuel gauge and LarryB's fuel hoses.





Many thanks to JoeG for his help, patience and time.





Wayne