Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Changed fuel filter - HELP - won't start

[Luparello]

My husband changed †he fuel filter on our 2001 today - followed the instructions in the TDR 45 to the letter. When finished he started it - it ran for about 5 seconds and quit - stalled - now it won't crank. Any advice?

Thanks :{

 

[Doughboy21kd]

will it crank..... Or it wont even turn over?



If it cranks over and doesn't start then there's probably air in the fuel system and it needs to be primed... . Fill us in a little more on what its doing.....



The more you try to crank it over the harder its gonna be to get started depending on how much air is in the system if thats the problem

 

[Luparello]

He primed it - 5 times barely turning over - fuel pump runs 20 sec - now it turns over and over without starting.

 

[Doughboy21kd]

Sounds like he may have got quite a bit of air in the system...



1. Turn the key to the on postion and just bump the starter but don't start it and that will kick the pump on you'll be able to hear it cycle and when its dont do it again a couple of times and see what happens..... If that doesn't work then you'll have to bleed the air out of the lines... . Explained below



2. I believe its a 19mm wrench but i could be wrong... . I think the last time i did mine on my 1998. 5 i started at the back and worked forward, but i could be wrong its been awhile... . Just crank one line at a time and do what i said above in #1 until all the air is out of that line... and just work your way forward...



Now if there is a better way of doing it or i am not doing it right someone here will chime in... .



But it sounds like theres air in the system and needs to be bleed... Keep us posted

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

It is best to give the air in the filter housing somewhere to go. When you change the filter, you can clean the area around the 1/8" pipe plug on the top toward the inside of early 24 valve engine fuel filter housings and loosen the plug, or leave the top loose on later 24 valves and Third Generation engines. When fuel starts coming out from priming the engine with the electric lift pump, tighten and then start the engine.



In your case, the air probably went into the injection pump and is making the truck hard to start. Long cranking eventually works (but not over 30 seconds at a time so the starter doesn't overheat). Or, loosen the injection lines at the head (19 mm or 3/4" open end wrench) that you can get to, crank until fuel comes out them, tighten, and start the engine.

 

[Luparello]

Should he be concerned about the pressure in these lines? Had read that sometimes that can be a problem

 

[wcoomes]

19mm wrench is correct if you need to bleed the lines, my buddy says a 3/4 in is same size.

 

[Doughboy21kd]

I wouldn't worry about the pressure as all you are doing is cracking them so the air will have a place to escape... . Your not taking them all the way off... . Just break the lines loose and maybe a couple of extra turns... . Or you can try what joseph donnelly said above

 

[Bob V]

Sounds to me that the lift punp is dead. Happens all the time, open the system to change the filter and can't restart. Pull the fuel line after the pump and see if you have any flow when the pump runs.

 

[Luparello]

Oo.

Thanks - Joseph Donnelly's suggestion of opening the injectors worked like a charm - REALLY appreciate the help.

Diane and Tony



D&T Racing - 1973 Duster 383 Drag Racers

 

[Luparello]

PS - MOPAR or NO CAR