Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 97 wont start, no fuel

[zzman]

97 wont start, no fuel... got it started..

Big Red wont' start Cleaned the screen,

tested the relay for the Solinoid, won't stay up with key in run position. Push up and it will stay up but won't start. No fuel is getting in filter. Pumped hand pump about 802,546 times and nothing but air in filter. I think it is the lift pump. Is it located in the fuel tank? It starting loosing prime about a month ago.

Today it started, but then quit, like it ran out of fuel(while idling warming up). If I could find how to search the old posts, I wouldn't have bothered you guys. Any one have any suggestions?

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took off the supply line to replace, blew compressed air towards tank... fuel began to flow then... ... .

started up and runs,



I don't understand where the air was coming from when using the hand pump. The supply line has NO HOLES in it.

If the screen in the tank was plugged up, where was the air coming from???



I will take the tank down after I run some fuel off, just want to see if it will get stopped up again quickly.



I sure would like some opinions on where the air came from.

What cha think????

 

[ndurbin]

search forum



thats the link to the search forums site. just type in what you want to search for and probably would help to narrow it down to just the 12v forum.



heres a link to a post I found:



replacing lift pump

 

[Deezul1]

Return line from pump can be bad and cause all kinds of problems that you wouldnt think about. The lift pump is where you have been pushing that button for 802,456 times, its on the lift pump. No pump at the tank on 12 valves.

 

[zzman]

OK, after viewing a few posts, It seems it may be the rubber lines going to the tank. I can see that 1 line has gunk all on it, like it is leaking (very slightly) and there is less than a half a tank of fuel.

Going to check/replace rubber hoses. It sounds like this it not a very easy job.



With no fuel getting to lift pump when pushing primer button, it must be prior to pump. Fuel lines, ok I get it now. Thanks, I'll let you know.

 

[Turbo Thom]

I have to agree with deesul1 bout the pump. And remember the rubber hoses don't go to the tank. Just to the end of the steel line from tank to the lift pump. I think about 12 inches long. They are hard to get to and if you ever have the head off that is the time to change the hoses. Just right there in front of you. Your problem sounds like the pump itself. Most times the engine is hard to start with the hoses bad.



. . Preston. .

 

[WadePatton]

You might know this but, the manual primer works much better if you loosen the bleed screw on the top of the filter housing.



I found this out after pumping one 802,547 times.



Leaky hoses there WILL cause hard start/no start condition. System loses prime every time.

 

[zzman]

Well I foung a small hole in the return line under the floorboard.

The part of line with the metal strand shield. The floorboard had rubbed a hole clean through.

After I replaced the hose (with rubber hose) I filled the filter with fuel and It ran til the canister ran dry. No luck yet.



I'll try to blow through the supply line from tank to see if any fuel is in it and If bubbles are heard from the tank.



It is starting to appear that the lift pump is out.



If this is true, can you still pump fuel from the tank with the palm killer hand pump if the lift pump is out?



Any other suggestions out there? I know I'll be needing batteries after this. Recharged them 4 times now.

:--)



thanks guys

 

[cop0110]

I replaced both supply and return lines. both were dry rotted. I dropped the tank and cleaned the screen on the bottom of the desending unit it was also gunked up. Then I replaced the lift pump it was not hard to do at all. Then I replaced the over flow valve. now the truck runs great Oo. I dont know if all was bad or just one but it was all done for less than 250. 00. You might want to replace both lines and lift pump. and see if that works. . Good luck and keep us posted. .

 

[zzman]

Well no fuel in the supply line.

I guess there is something wrong in the tank.



Is it possible that something came loose in the tank?

I thought I remember someone saying that the tube that goes to the bottom of tank could get defective, fall off or something.

All I get from the hand pump is air. I am 99. 9 % sure there is no other holes in any of the lines.



Any suggestions on the easiest way to drop the tank?

Does the lines disconnect from the tank, without destroying them?



Wow, I just put 10 more gallons in there too.

 

[K5IP]

Just removed my tank. There were two flexable quick disconnect fittings and an eletrical connection located at the removable module at the top of the tank. The quick disconnects are a possible source of problems (leak) but I think it is rare. I was able to remove and lower the tank myself using a floor jack at one end and a rope sling for the other end. I did however, first run most of the fuel out of it so it was quite light. There is a filter in the module which could also be cloged, but if you are getting air through it with the manual pump, you probably have a leak rather than a clog. The job took about three hours the first time but I could probably do it in two now that I know how. If you do it yourself, I found it was easier to get the quick disconnect fittings loose after I dropped the tank a few inches. Good Luck

Rog

 

[cop0110]

empty your tank. there are two 15 mm nuts holding your tank up via straps. At the top of your tank there are two lines with quick disconnects. pull them off. disconnect the fill hose. once tank is lowered there is a plastic retainer turn it to loosen. I used a screw driver and hammer to get it started. after that pull the descending unit out you cant tell right away if a hose is off. when I put mine back together I patched in rubber hose with small hose clamps to the descending unit. I do have a question... . How do you know you don't have a hole in the supply line if you haven't dropped the tank. just because you are not getting fuel don't mean its not sucking air from the supply line. Oh well thats my 2 cents. If you lived closer I would assist ya. Good luck... if you run into trouble pm me and I will give you my number maybee I can talk you through it.

 

[Deezul1]

You can also unbolt the bed except the 2 rear bolts which need loosening a lot and tilt the bed up and BLOCK it GOOD and the tank is real easy to work on.

 

[zzman]

got it started

I took the supply hose off,

checked the hose for any leaks. attached compressed air to one end and plugged the other, no air seemed to escape.



I then applied compressed air to supply towards the tank. heard bubbles through the neck but still no fuel would come out when trying to siphone from supply line.

When I put the fuel cap back on, I applied air again then BINGO!!

Fuel came a flowing out the line.



There seem to be something plugging the flow

I saw nothing strange come out. My hope is maybe it is just a bunch of gunk, funk and regular ol trash that may collect in there.

I hope someone didn't put a foreign object in the tank.

I'm going to drop the tank this weekend and check it out.



I am still puzzled on how I was able to pump air into the filter.

Where did the air come from???????



I'm going to trade the new pump for a couple of batteries.



Thanks for all ya'lls input...



This is a Great site, and magazine too.



Thanks T. D. R.