Bombed truck quit running (: ...however! :)

[RobbyRam]

My truck lurched, sputtered, and then, just died, right in front of one of our new construction homes I was inspecting.
My Ram has DD2's and an 'EZ', so obviously, it must be the lift pump, or, the gasp!,... VP44 injector pump, #ad

I called our diesel mechanic and he said: "Check the fuel, how low are you?"
"My gauge reads 1/8" I told him.
He says "You have water or 'junk' in the fuel, call Carl (our diesel generator re-fueler) and have him give you 1/2 a tank. So Carl came and refueled me, and after about a solid minute of cranking, (I was getting nervous)the 'Beast' started up, sputtered a few times, and then ran like new.
'Final answer:'
I ran the tank too low.
Stupid me... "My Bad"

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Y2K Awesome Black LB 3500 QC SLT, 24Valve ETC ISB, 4x4, 4:10 LSD, DTT Custom prepared Auto transmission VB, Power Edge 'EZ', DD2's, K&N, Polished Stull Billet Grill/Fog inserts, Chrome Smitty-Built Step Rails, Mopar Chrome-Tipped Mud Flaps, A-Pillar mounted West-Tach Turbo/Pyro/Trans Temp gauges, Rancho 9000's, Diamond Plated Tool Box, + a bunch of other stuff. Fact:The First Fords' had 'DODGE' Engines! The new PSD's need them!

 

[Ramboy00]

I have run clear down to the empty mark a couple of times in mine while trying to find fuel. When I finally was able to fill up, I could only get 30 gallons in it. I usually try to get fuel when alarm goes off but not always possible.
Phil

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'99 D3500, auto. ,2WD,3. 55 LSD, all options, Banks Power Pack w/K&N filter,DTT TC & VB, Mag-Hytec pan, '99 40ft. Alfa Gold Triple-slide 5'er
"Ignore your rights and they'll go away. "

 

[MHindman]

I try to run my truck as close to empty as i can, just to keep the crap out of the tank. Maybe its not the right thing to do, but i have never had a problem. If you are ever near pittsburgh and see a gray ram a long the side of the road... stop and say hello. . you will know i pushed it just a little too far

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(Silver Bullet)1999 Ext Cab 4X4 5SPD, All options. Power Max 3(adjustable), K&N Filter, no muffler, Pyro,Fender Flares, Toolbox, bedrail covers, 450 watt Kenwood Sub, 33 12. 50 16. 5's, 3. 54's... Soon to have: 4inch, DDIII's, Southbend clutch.

 

[MikeR]

Robby,you are not a stupid guy. Your fuel gauge sending unit is lying to you if it said you still have 1/8th tank. Welcome to the faulty unit club.

 

[Michael Hughes]

MikeR,
Are you saying that you are out of diesel when you get to 1/8 tank? I can only get about 27 gallons at 1/8 tank. I like the fact that you have more fuel then you think, you don't get stuck somewhere where you can't get diesel.

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1999 2500 ST LB 4X4 Metallic Red, 5-speed, 3. 54 gears, LSD, camper and tow package
Westach Boost/EGT (pre and post turbo) mounted on A pillar.

 

[MikeR]

No,that's not what I said at all. I'm saying he has a bad fuel gauge sending unit if he ran out of fuel while the gauge said the truck still has an 1/8th tank left.

When I hit 1/8th tank,I still have about 5 to 6 gallons of fuel left.

 

[Oasis-3]

Bad fuel gage sending unit got me when I had my 96 CTD but it would read low and I thought I had a fuel leak at first because the gage would drop about an 1/8 every 50 miles I replaced it for around 50 bucks and it was fine

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2001. 5 Black Sport 4x4 Q-cab 6-Speed HO,3. 54 - K&N RE-0880 & 25-0880 - Towing & Camper Packages - Real Backup Lights - Fog Lights - Windows Fixed - Phord 4 Door Nurf Bars - Leveling Kit - CB - Electric Brakes - Class 3 Hitch on front - Cat & Muffler fell off - 285/75/R16 Interco Trxus 10 ply tires

 

[rod77zilla]

well it seems that you are lucky! I had really talked up the ctd to everybody every where I went before I finally got one. I found a 2000 late in 2000 that had 50,000 miles on it. It had a random miss, but I wasn't worried, I figured It meant I got a brand new injector pump at the worst under warranty. I had the dealer try and fix it while I filled out the paper work. The technician flashed it and went home. I knew It was still missing as soon as I cranked it up . I drove it home planning to bring it back in a couple days when I got a chance. It lurched and died driving through the parking lot the night before I was supposed to go. To make a long story short, I spent the next 3 months in rental cars while they replaced everything on it: lift pump. Injector pump. dodge computer. cummins computer. sending unit. cam position sensor. crank position sensor. and they still couldn't figure out the problem. ( I was a dodge technician at the time and I kept insisting that they let a real diesel tech look at it, but they never would) Finally, after $1500 in rental car bills (at least) they finally took it to a diesel tech (at their other store less than an hour away) He knew what it was before they even finished telling him what it was doing. He thew fuel pressure gauges on it and verified that the lift pump would intermittently pump fuel the wrong way. (the gauge is supposed to be 12psi and it reads -7 psi)... He went and ordered the pump and I got it back the next day. It has worked like a champ since then. The first time it died they tried to tell me I ran it out of fuel. until they put some in it and it wouldn't crank. Then they tried to scan it and The computer wouldn't respond... nightmares if it was on your bill

 

[MikeR]

Dang it! This thread jinxed me!!! Yesterday I had some work to do in Tacoma and I figured since I was down to 1/8th of a tank,I'd hit Flying J before I went back home.

I was cruising passed the Tacoma Dome up the I-5 incline,then spud... cough... dead on I-5! No way... I was outta fuel! Just like Robby's truck,my gauge said I still had an 1/8th tank... ugh! #ad
A buddy I was meeting up with brought me a gas can full of diesel,but as you know a 24v is very very hard to restart. The only thing I had with me was a cresent wrench,but at least I was able to crack open two fuel lines to purge the air.

After 15 minutes,I got the thing started... but doing this in the comfort of Rob Hansons driveway is one thing,and doing this while trucks are blowing by is another.
Had a close one... some idiot in a Jetta came 2 feet of hitting my trailer because he almost missed his offramp! #ad


-Mike

 

[John]

That is bad news Mike! #ad


What's worse, Chip (of Blue Chip fame) stated in a guest column in a past issue of the TDR, never to run the VP44 injection pump out of fuel. Apparently, it has lead to anywhere from a marked reduction in pump life to immediate pump failure. Knock on wood buddy.

 

[fest3er]

Originally posted by Ramboy:
I have run clear down to the empty mark a couple of times in mine while trying to find fuel. ...

This past winter, my fuel gauge would rapidly run down to 1/8 (in 200 miles), then slowly work its way down to below empty, at which point I could only get 30 gallons in it.

However, this seems to have cured itself. (I think: I'm reaching 400 miles at 1/2 now!) I'm leaving Thursday to ferry Americana's tires to WI, so I'll see if my mileage is up any with summer fuel and Amsoil throughout.

However, the real reason for my post is that I *finally* ran it low enough to put 35 gallons in the tank! I could often get 30-33 gallons in with the needle at 'E'. This time, I couldn't find a station, so I kept going.
And going. I think I had passed 600 miles on the tankful.

Generally, I pay little attention to the fuel gauge. Fuel consumption remains fairly consistent, and I know how many miles I can go. That said, I *really* don't want to run it that low ever again!

Fest3er

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Neal P. Murphy; Amsoil dealer
'98 auto, 4X4, valve- and BOMB-challenged; Yokohama 225/75-19. 5 on Rickson wheels; 67K miles; Amsoil dual remote filter

 

[MikeR]

Oh John,you don't have to tell me twice! I'm knocking my head against my wooden computer desk as we speak! It died instantly. I was very low on my rpm's and power,so I immediately shut off the ignition when it quit. I'd say the amount of 'dry' time was about the same as when we do injector installation restarts. It's running fine now,but hopefully it didn't do much damage.

-Mike

 

[Big MAK]

Big Dittos on Never Run Out Of Fuel.

Rule: Never run an injected engine out of fuel.

Just running out of fuel is bad (pump, vp44 plunger, etc) but you're also sucking the crud out of the bottom of everything -- clogging lines and injectors.

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Big MAK
98. 5 ISB 5spd 4x4 Quad Cab 3500, 275s and Original PowerMax
A "WARRANTY FREE" ZONE
https://www.turbodieseltrucks.com