Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Air in the Fuel Injection System

[aviatorman]

02-HO-6spd, changed my fuel filter (120K on the truck) and it's the 12th or 13th filter change for me. At any rate, I've never experienced any trouble starting the truck after filter change , , till now. Did the basic lift pump pressure bleed procedure and finally got the thing to percolate. Thought problem was solved till next morning, , truck wouldn't start. Went through the same process with lift pump pressuring up and this time removed the filter top and filled the canister to overflowing and reinstalled the top. Finally got truck to run with lots of cranking. Don't know what exactly is the source of the air lock. Bled the injectors per the cummins manual and still have a hard start problem after truck sits overnite. Any suggestions would be appreciated. The only thing different about this filter change is that I changed from Geno's filters to a Wix and I can't imagine that to be the cause of anything. Thanks in advance to all who respond. Adding to this post, I failed to mention that I have dual pressure guages, , one before the filter and one after the filter. Relocated lift pump with vulcan relo kit to the frame rail. Fuel pressure is 14psi, ,that's what's got me stumped. Fuel pressure is should be enough to at least prime the vp44.

 

[HBarlow]

Without knowing a thing about a Wix fuel filter used in a Cummins engine my advice would be to replace the Wix filter with the correct Cummins filter and try again.

That may not be the cause of the problem but until you return to the approved filter you can't eliminate the simple possible causes.

 

[Nigel]

Do you have a fuel pressure guage installed? Many of us have found a bad lift pump when the system won't prime after a filter change and we didn't have a guage. Just because you can hear the pump run doesn't mean it will pull fuel from the tank.



Nigel

 

[THoltz]

Maybe turn the ignition switch to just bump the starter without starting the engine to get the lift pump to run, should run about 25 sec. Then vent fuel line at the VP-44. As Mr. Barlow suggested, I would also go back to a Fleetguard filter.

 

[PSpychalski]

Did you cut the o-ring on the filter bowl accidentily? will cause air to get in